So, the other day, I was craving dim sum. Like, really craving it. I haven’t had it in ages, and it’s always been a weekend thing for me, you know, a lazy morning treat. I was thinking about those little baskets of deliciousness and just knew I had to make it happen.
But then came the big question: how much dim sum should I get per person? I mean, it’s all small plates, right? I didn’t want to end up with a mountain of food or, even worse, leave the table still hungry.
First things first, I hit up the internet, as one does. I found some general guidelines. Most places say that each dim sum dish usually has 3 or 4 pieces. And the common advice was to order around 3-4 dishes for each person. I figured I could start there.
Then, I thought about the variety. It’s not just about quantity, is it? You want a mix of things – some steamed, some fried, maybe some baked. I decided I’d try to get a good mix of textures and flavors.
I also remembered that some places have a tea charge, around $1.50-$2.00 per person. Good to keep in mind for the budget! And some restaurants have early bird specials. I checked the menus and that was the case.
Anyway, I went ahead and made a reservation for two. I was thinking, with the 3-4 dishes per person rule, we should order 6 to 8 dishes in total. I made a mental list: a couple of steamed dumpling dishes, some har gow and siu mai, a fried dish like spring rolls, and maybe some BBQ pork buns.
- First, I called the restaurant and made a reservation.
- Then, I browsed their online menu and made a list.
- I decided on 3 steamed dishes, 2 fried dishes, and 1 baked dish.
- We arrived at the restaurant and were seated.
- We ordered our dishes and some tea.
- The food arrived, and it looked amazing!
It turned out to be the perfect amount! We got to try a little bit of everything, and we left feeling full and satisfied but not overly stuffed. It’s always nice when a plan comes together.
So, next time you’re planning a dim sum outing, remember the 3-4 dishes per person rule. And don’t forget to mix it up! Oh, and if you’re going with a bigger group, just multiply. It’s pretty straightforward. I think I’ll be doing this more often. It was such a treat!
Just thinking about it now makes me want to go back for more! Maybe next weekend…