Alright, let’s talk about this dim sum mission I went on.
It started pretty simply. Woke up Saturday, stomach rumbling, and just had this massive craving. You know the kind? Only dim sum would hit the spot. But then the question hit me: where the heck do you actually get good dim sum these days?
I didn’t want some fancy fusion stuff. I wanted the real deal, the noisy carts, the aunties pushing stuff I don’t recognize, the whole experience. First thought, check online. Big mistake. Spent maybe 30 minutes scrolling through apps and websites. All these glossy pictures, perfect reviews. Felt kinda fake, you know? Like half those places probably just microwave frozen stuff.
So, I ditched the phone. Decided to just head towards the old Chinatown area. Figured I’d just walk around, use my eyes. See what looks busy, what smells right. That’s the old way, right? Sometimes it works.
Got down there. Walked a few blocks. Saw some places I remembered, some new ones. One looked way too posh, like you needed a reservation for siu mai. Nah. Another place was completely empty. Also nah. You want that buzz, that energy.
Found a Spot (Finally)
Then I saw this place. Tucked down a side street a bit. Nothing fancy outside, kinda old looking. But it was packed. Could hear the noise from the street. That’s usually a good sign. Took a peek inside. Looked chaotic, loud, exactly what I was picturing.
Went in. Got waved to a table, shared with another family. Perfect. The carts started rolling by almost immediately.
Here’s what I grabbed:
- Har Gow (Shrimp dumplings) – gotta have ’em.
- Siu Mai (Pork and shrimp dumplings) – classic.
- Cheung Fun (Rice noodle rolls) – with shrimp.
- Lo Bak Go (Turnip cake) – pan-fried, please.
- Pai Gwut (Steamed spare ribs) – always a favorite.
The food came quick, steaming hot. The Har Gow were decent, shrimp was fresh, but the wrapper was a little thick. Siu Mai were good, meaty. Cheung Fun, pretty standard. The Lo Bak Go was nicely crispy outside. Ribs were tasty too, good flavor.
It wasn’t, like, the best dim sum I’ve ever had in my life. Not gonna lie. Some things were better than others. But it was real. It was hot, fresh, served in that loud, slightly stressful environment that’s part of the charm. The tea was hot, kept getting refilled.
Paid the bill. It wasn’t too pricey, which was nice. Left feeling satisfied. Not blown away, maybe, but satisfied. It scratched the itch. Finding that perfect dim sum spot, maybe it’s like chasing a dragon. But this place? Yeah, I’d probably go back. It felt honest, you know?
