Okay, so I’ve been craving some good dim sum lately, and I kept hearing about this place called “Crystal Dim Sum” in Montreal. Everyone said it was the place to go. So, naturally, I had to check it out for myself.
Getting Started
First things first, I did a quick search online to find their address and hours. Gotta make sure they’re actually open when I get there, right? Nothing worse than showing up hungry and finding a closed sign!
I found their location pretty easily, and they had decent hours, even open on weekends. Good sign so far.
The Journey
I hopped in my car, plugged the address into my GPS, and started driving. It wasn’t too far, maybe a 20-minute drive from where I live. Parking was a bit of a hassle, as always in Montreal. Found a street space after like three circles that I managed to squeeze.
First Impressions
Walking up to the restaurant, I have to be honest, the outside isn’t super impressive. It’s kind of a plain storefront. But hey, I’ve learned not to judge a book by its cover, especially when it comes to food. You never know, some of the best food I’ve eaten at has been small, and looks basic outside!
Inside and Ordering
Once I got inside, it was a different story. It was pretty busy, which is always a good sign, right? Lots of families, couples, everyone chattering and enjoying themselves. It smelled amazing. That classic dim sum aroma of steamed dumplings and fried goodness.
I was seated pretty quickly, and they gave me a menu and one of those little order sheets where you mark down what you want. Classic dim sum style.
Making My Choices
I was starving, so I went a little overboard, maybe. I ordered a bunch of my favorites:
- Har Gow (Shrimp Dumplings): A must-have, obviously.
- Siu Mai (Pork Dumplings): Another classic.
- Char Siu Bao (BBQ Pork Buns): Gotta have those fluffy, sweet buns.
- Spring Rolls: Because why not?
- Sticky Rice in Lotus Leaf: I love the flavor of the lotus leaf.
I checked off all my boxes, handed the sheet to the server, and waited in anticipation.
The Feast Begins
The food started arriving pretty quickly, steaming hot and looking delicious. The Har Gow were plump and juicy, the Siu Mai were perfectly seasoned, and the Char Siu Bao were soft and sweet, just like I like them. Everything was on point.
Honestly, I devoured everything. It was all so good. The flavors were authentic, the textures were perfect, and it just hit the spot. I even ordered a second round of Har Gow because, well, they were that good.
The Aftermath
I left the restaurant feeling completely stuffed and satisfied. It was definitely worth the trip, and the slight parking headache. Crystal Dim Sum lived up to the hype, at least in my book. My dim sum craving was more than satisfied. I’ll definitely be back again, maybe next weekend even!
If you’re in Montreal and looking for some solid dim sum, I’d say give Crystal Dim Sum a try. Just be prepared for a potential wait, and maybe try to find parking a few blocks away, and prepare to be very full!