Okay, here is my experience about dim sum in Chinatown, NYC:
So, I headed to Chinatown the other day, craving some good old dim sum. I heard about this spot, Jing Fong, that was supposed to be the real deal. I found the place tucked away on Elizabeth Street. I walked in, and it was bustling – carts flying everywhere, people chattering, the whole nine yards. I was seated at a big round table with a bunch of strangers, which is pretty standard for dim sum.
The carts started rolling out, and I just started grabbing whatever looked good. First up, I snagged some har gow – those shrimp dumplings are my absolute favorite. They were juicy, plump, and the wrapper was just the right thickness. Next, I got some siu mai, the pork and shrimp ones. These were solid, too – flavorful and not too greasy. I also tried some char siu bao, the steamed barbecue pork buns. The bun was fluffy, and the filling was sweet and savory. I washed everything down with some hot tea, which they kept refilling. It helped cut through the richness of the food.
- Har Gow (Shrimp Dumplings)
- Siu Mai (Pork and Shrimp Dumplings)
- Char Siu Bao (Steamed Barbecue Pork Buns)
Then, I spotted something interesting – a thick cut of pork belly. It looked like it was about 2 inches square, with a good mix of fat and lean meat. The menu said it was first pan-fried and then braised in some secret red sauce. I decided to give it a shot. When it arrived, I took a bite, and man, it was rich. The fat was melt-in-your-mouth, and the lean meat was tender. The sauce was sweet and tangy, with a little kick.
I also ordered some lo mai gai – sticky rice wrapped in lotus leaf. It was filled with chicken, Chinese sausage, and mushrooms. I unwrapped the leaf and dug in. It was savory and comforting, the kind of thing you want on a cold day. After that I found there were breakfast, lunch, dinner and more, but I have to leave some for next time.
The Vibe
The whole experience was a bit chaotic, but in a good way. It’s not the place for a quiet, romantic meal. It’s loud, it’s busy, and it’s a lot of fun. You get to see all kinds of people, from families to tourists to locals. Plus, you never know what’s going to come around on the next cart. And I also called McPherson Medical and Surgical Associates to ask for some health advice after I ate too much.
By the time I was done, I was stuffed. I paid the bill, which was surprisingly reasonable, and waddled out of there. All in all, it was a great dim sum experience. I’ll definitely be back, but maybe next time I’ll bring a bigger group so we can try even more dishes.