Okay, here’s a blog post about my dim sum experience in Abbotsford, written in the style and tone you specified:
So, the other day, I got this massive craving for some good old dim sum. I live near Abbotsford, BC, and figured it was time to explore the local dim sum scene. I hadn’t really ventured out for it much before, so I was starting from scratch, you know? No go-to spots, no favorite dishes locked in. Just a whole lot of hunger and hope.
First, I did what any normal person would do: I hit up the internet. I searched for “best dim sum Abbotsford” and such, just to get a feel for what was out there. A few names kept popping up in the search results: Lee Garden Seafood, Luxe Chinese Seafood Restaurant, and Harbin Dumplings. Those were some of the recurring names when I searched. It seems like those are the big three in town, at least according to some listicles I found.
I also saw Mandarin Garden Buffet Restaurant listed a few times, but honestly, buffets ain’t really my style when it comes to dim sum. I like the whole ordering-off-the-cart experience, so I kinda mentally filed that one away for maybe another time. I even glanced at some listings on those food delivery apps – the ones with the bikes and the insulated bags. They had a bunch of dim sum places listed, but I wanted the full dine-in experience this time. Also checked out the local Yellow Pages, just like the old days.
After my little online research session, I decided to start with Lee Garden Seafood. Seemed like a solid choice, lots of good reviews and all that. I hopped in my car and drove over there, ready to stuff my face.
Lee Garden Seafood
- I ordered the usual suspects: har gow, siu mai, char siu bao – you know, the classics.
- The har gow (shrimp dumplings) were pretty good. Plump, juicy shrimp, nice thin wrapper.
- Siu mai (pork dumplings) were solid too. Nothing mind-blowing, but definitely hit the spot.
- The char siu bao (BBQ pork buns) were fluffy and filled with a decent amount of sweet and savory pork.
Overall, Lee Garden was a good start. Not the best dim sum I’ve ever had, but definitely satisfied my craving. The service was quick, the place was clean, and the prices were reasonable.
Luxe Chinese Seafood Restaurant
Next up, I tried Luxe Chinese Seafood Restaurant the following weekend. This place had a bit more of an upscale vibe than Lee Garden. A little fancier, a little pricier.
- Went with a similar order to compare: har gow, siu mai, and a few other random things that caught my eye on the cart.
- Honestly, the har gow and siu mai here weren’t noticeably better than Lee Garden’s, despite the higher price tag.
- I did try their sticky rice in lotus leaf, which was pretty tasty.
Luxe was okay, but I didn’t feel like it was worth the extra cost. Maybe I didn’t order the right things, or maybe it was just an off day.
Harbin Dumplings
Finally, I hit up Harbin Dumplings. Now, this place is a bit different. As the name suggests, they specialize in dumplings, and not just the dim sum kind.
- They had a huge variety of boiled and pan-fried dumplings, along with some other northern Chinese dishes.
- I ordered a few different types of dumplings to get a good sampling.
- The pork and chive ones were my favorite – super flavorful and juicy.
While not strictly dim sum, Harbin Dumplings was a nice change of pace. If you’re looking for something a bit different, this is definitely worth checking out. I will go back again for sure. The place was simple, nothing fancy, but the food was really good and the prices were super reasonable.
So, there you have it – my Abbotsford dim sum adventure. I started with some online research, visited three different spots, and ended up with a full belly and a few new places to add to my rotation. I will keep exploring, might try some delivery options just to see what’s good. If anyone has any recommendations, let me know! I am always up for trying new places, especially when it comes to food.
