Today I gonna talk about how many dim sum dishes we should order when we go out with friends.
So, a bunch of us decided to hit up this dim sum place downtown last weekend. You know, the one with the insane weekend wait times? Yeah, that one. We were all starving, and when the menu landed on our table, all eyes lit up. But then came the big question, how many dishes should we order?
I remembered reading somewhere that the sweet spot is about 3-4 dishes per person. So, being the ‘experienced’ one in the group (I’ve watched a lot of food shows), I confidently blurted that out. We ended up with a table full of food – seriously, it was like a delicious, steaming landscape of dumplings, buns, and rolls.
- First, we grabbed a pen and just started ticking off boxes on that order sheet like there was no tomorrow. Shrimp dumplings? Check. Pork and shrimp dumplings? Double-check. BBQ pork buns? You bet.
- Then, we added some rice noodle rolls, because why not? And of course, someone had to get the turnip cake, so in it went. We even threw in some chicken feet, just for kicks (some of us regretted that later).
We waited for like, maybe 10-15 minutes? It felt like an eternity because the aroma wafting from the kitchen was torture. Finally, the carts started rolling out, and our table was quickly filled. Let me tell you, we were in food heaven. But, here’s the kicker – we totally over-ordered. I mean, we had enough food to feed a small army. We ate and ate, but the dishes kept coming.
Here’s what I learned from this adventure:
- Rule number one: While 3-4 dishes per person is a good guideline, maybe consider how hungry everyone actually is. We were ravenous, but our eyes were definitely bigger than our stomachs.
- Rule number two: Don’t be shy to ask the staff. They know their stuff and can give you a better estimate based on the portion sizes.
- Rule number three: Always pour tea for your friends first. It’s just good manners, you know? And when you’re grabbing food, use the serving utensils or the clean ends of your chopsticks. Don’t just dive into the communal dishes like an animal!
My conclusion
So, next time you’re planning a dim sum outing, keep this story in mind. Start with maybe 2-3 dishes per person, and you can always order more if you’re still hungry. Remember, it’s about sharing and enjoying the experience, not just stuffing yourself silly (though that part is pretty fun too). This was a lesson learned the hard way, but hey, at least we had plenty of leftovers!
