So, I got this real craving for dim sum the other weekend. You know how it is, sometimes you just need those little plates of goodness. Been living in Auckland for a bit now and heard mixed things, some say it’s great, others say it’s just okay. Decided I had to find out for myself, properly this time.
Didn’t do a ton of research, honestly. I’m not one for spending hours reading reviews. I just remembered someone mentioning a couple of spots, one out East and another closer to the city. Ended up just driving towards town, figured I’d spot something that looked busy. Busy usually means good, right? Or at least, popular.
Found this place, looked pretty traditional from the outside. Stepped inside and wow, it was buzzing. Exactly what I expected, really. Loud, families everywhere, waiters rushing about, and those classic trolleys piled high with steaming baskets. Found a table squished in a corner, perfect for watching the chaos unfold.
The trolleys started rolling past almost immediately. It’s always a bit of a rush, trying to see what’s on offer before it zooms away. I waved down a couple. Had to get the classics, you know?
What I Ended Up Trying
- Har Gow (Prawn Dumplings): These looked pretty good. Wrapper was thin enough, prawn tasted fresh. Not bad at all. A solid start.
- Siu Mai (Pork & Prawn Dumplings): Can’t have dim sum without Siu Mai. These were decent, meaty, did the job. Nothing amazing, but perfectly fine.
- Char Siu Bao (BBQ Pork Buns): The fluffy white buns. I grabbed one. The filling was generous, quite sweet though. Maybe a touch too sweet for my liking this time, but the bun itself was nice and soft.
- Lo Mai Gai (Sticky Rice in Lotus Leaf): Always a favourite. Unwrapped the leaf, that earthy smell hit me. Rice was cooked well, good mix of chicken and mushroom inside. Really enjoyed this one.
- Cheong Fun (Rice Noodle Rolls with Prawn): These looked a bit messy, honestly. The noodle was soft, but maybe a bit broken up. Needed a good splash of soy sauce. Tasted okay, but I’ve had better.
The tea kept coming, which was good. The ladies pushing the trolleys were quick, efficient. You just point, they stamp your card, and off they go. No time for chit-chat, but that’s the dim sum way. It’s all about getting the food onto the table.
Overall? Yeah, it was a pretty good experience. It satisfied the craving, definitely. The atmosphere was authentic, noisy and bustling, just like it should be. Food was mostly good, some hits, some okay bits. Value wasn’t bad either, left feeling properly full without emptying my wallet.
Would I go back? Sure. It wasn’t mind-blowing, best-ever dim sum, but for a weekend lunch in Auckland, it hit the spot. It’s reliable, gets you fed, and gives you that proper yum cha buzz. Just gotta be prepared for the noise and the fast pace. Gets the job done.