Your top Dim Sum Cart Restaurants around the World!
Dec 15, 2008, 8:05 pm
#16
Join Date: May 2006
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Shun Lee Cafe in New York is excellent, not on the level of the Hong Kong staples, but, frankly, almost as enjoyable, which a selection friendlier to this Yank's palate.
Dec 15, 2008, 8:55 pm
#17
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
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In NYC, I love Cafe Evergreen on the Upper East Side (69th and 1st)- it used to be called Henry's Evergreen. They have great cart dim sum on weekends. I actually like this better than most places in Chinatown and for dim sum, more than Shun Lee (but if was just going for standard dinner, I would choose Shun Lee).
Dec 15, 2008, 9:30 pm
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 13,145
These are my favorites where I live:
Toronto
Golden Abalone Court (Richmond Hill)
Diamond Banquet (Markham)
Spring Villa (Markham)
Hong Kong
Lei Garden (Several branches, but best in Shatin New Town Plaza IMO)
Fung Shing (Several branches, but the one in Whampoa near I live is the best IMO)
Super Star Seafood (Several branches, quality more or less the same among the various branches)
Toronto
Golden Abalone Court (Richmond Hill)
Diamond Banquet (Markham)
Spring Villa (Markham)
Hong Kong
Lei Garden (Several branches, but best in Shatin New Town Plaza IMO)
Fung Shing (Several branches, but the one in Whampoa near I live is the best IMO)
Super Star Seafood (Several branches, quality more or less the same among the various branches)
Dec 15, 2008, 9:42 pm
#19
Moderator: Delta SkyMiles, Luxury Hotels, TravelBuzz! and Italy
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 26,544
Having eaten in a few dim sum restaurants in HKG and enjoyed them immensely, the last time we were in HKG for a short visit, stayed at the Peninsula and decided to eat at Spring Moon, the Dim Sum Restaurant at the Pen.
Although, there isn't the clatter of dishes and languages and folks standing behind your chairs, it is a very pleasant way to enjoy Dim Sum, which BTW, was delicious. Is it an authentic HKG experience? No. Yet, if one is tired & staying at the Pen and looking for a quiet (oxymoron) Dim Sum experience, it is a nice way to go. Food was delicious and beautifully presented. One is more likely to be surrounded by locals having serious business lunches, than the usual colorful noise and chatter of the huge Dim Sum palaces. It's just a different experience. All of my Dim Sum experiences in HKG have been wonderful. Spring Moon was the only restaurant which provided both great Dim Sum and a dose of serenity.
Although, there isn't the clatter of dishes and languages and folks standing behind your chairs, it is a very pleasant way to enjoy Dim Sum, which BTW, was delicious. Is it an authentic HKG experience? No. Yet, if one is tired & staying at the Pen and looking for a quiet (oxymoron) Dim Sum experience, it is a nice way to go. Food was delicious and beautifully presented. One is more likely to be surrounded by locals having serious business lunches, than the usual colorful noise and chatter of the huge Dim Sum palaces. It's just a different experience. All of my Dim Sum experiences in HKG have been wonderful. Spring Moon was the only restaurant which provided both great Dim Sum and a dose of serenity.
Dec 16, 2008, 12:55 am
#20
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 413
As well as Hong Kong, i would have to say the best Dim Sum i had was in Malaysia, KL
It was in an upmarket hotel. It was the only DIm Sum buffet i have ever been to. You pay a fixed price, you order what you want and can order and eat as much as you want BUT you pay extra for anything not eaten. This ensures you don't over order. Man i left full as a staypuft marshmellow man ! And they had some really unique dim sum items
It was in an upmarket hotel. It was the only DIm Sum buffet i have ever been to. You pay a fixed price, you order what you want and can order and eat as much as you want BUT you pay extra for anything not eaten. This ensures you don't over order. Man i left full as a staypuft marshmellow man ! And they had some really unique dim sum items
Dec 16, 2008, 12:57 am
#21
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 413
I would also have to say that here in Australia we have great DIm SUm as well.
This is because plenty of top chefs from Hong Kong and other asian countries have immigrated to Australia. and secondly because we have access to some of the best quality raw ingredients including the best and freshest seafood which always leads to good quality food
This is because plenty of top chefs from Hong Kong and other asian countries have immigrated to Australia. and secondly because we have access to some of the best quality raw ingredients including the best and freshest seafood which always leads to good quality food
Dec 16, 2008, 2:06 am
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: SE1, London
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Both excellent recommendations. ^ There is also the Royal China Club on Baker Street which is a little more expensive and with a broader selection of non-dim sum options. A favourite of Takshin Shinawatra no less.
Dec 18, 2008, 12:57 am
#24
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Programs: AA Plat
Posts: 757
Specifically in the SF Bay Area, Koi Palace deserves a mention. Yank Sing, is um, acceptable, but you'll find better options away from downtown SF.
Some places in Vancouver (can't remember the names) deserve a mention too.
Some places in Vancouver (can't remember the names) deserve a mention too.
Dec 20, 2008, 11:34 pm
#27
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: RDU
Posts: 5,242
Here are two more from my part of the Bay Area in northern California. Neither of these can compare with Hong Kong, but it's decent dim sum. I have to at least give a shout out to my local places! 
Palo Alto, California
Mings (Embarcadero & 101): Typical dim sum, only one story but gets lots of business. They've been around forever in this area, at least 50 years. That's not much by San Francisco standards but it's still pretty impressive. Rumor has it though, that they plan to redevelop their property into a hotel/restaurant. I'm not sure if Mings will be around much longer.
Mountain View, California
Fu Lam Mum Seafood Restaurant (Castro near Caltrain Station): This is relatively new but has the same name as a seafood restaurant that used to be farther up on Castro Street. I believe it's a new owner using the old name. It's rather unique for the area, because it's one of the few 2 story dim sum places on the south end of the peninsula. They offer dim sim at lunch time and on weekends.
Palo Alto, California
Mings (Embarcadero & 101): Typical dim sum, only one story but gets lots of business. They've been around forever in this area, at least 50 years. That's not much by San Francisco standards but it's still pretty impressive. Rumor has it though, that they plan to redevelop their property into a hotel/restaurant. I'm not sure if Mings will be around much longer.
Mountain View, California
Fu Lam Mum Seafood Restaurant (Castro near Caltrain Station): This is relatively new but has the same name as a seafood restaurant that used to be farther up on Castro Street. I believe it's a new owner using the old name. It's rather unique for the area, because it's one of the few 2 story dim sum places on the south end of the peninsula. They offer dim sim at lunch time and on weekends.
Dec 21, 2008, 1:06 am
#28
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Toronto, NYC, somewhere on planet Earth
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Mmm, sounds like a great study.
I find the ones in NYC pretty bland wrt to others aroudn the world, but the one we go to is Jin Fong in Chinatown. I understand the good ones are to be found in Flushing, but have not found them to be any better. Ping's is also good, though I was told by a colleague that she will not go there anymore as they found a cockroach in the dumpling!
I find the Toronto ones rival the ones in Hong Kong. I have listed two cart service and two menu service ones
Cart - Spring Villa (in agreement with Rejuv) and Bright Pearl (downtown Chinatown)
I think Lee Wah Heen is one of the best dim sum places, but also put Dynasty as a worthy rival.
I have been to a few in HK and Beijing that are worthy of mention but will have to dig up the names.
I find the ones in NYC pretty bland wrt to others aroudn the world, but the one we go to is Jin Fong in Chinatown. I understand the good ones are to be found in Flushing, but have not found them to be any better. Ping's is also good, though I was told by a colleague that she will not go there anymore as they found a cockroach in the dumpling!
I find the Toronto ones rival the ones in Hong Kong. I have listed two cart service and two menu service ones
Cart - Spring Villa (in agreement with Rejuv) and Bright Pearl (downtown Chinatown)
I think Lee Wah Heen is one of the best dim sum places, but also put Dynasty as a worthy rival.
I have been to a few in HK and Beijing that are worthy of mention but will have to dig up the names.
Dec 21, 2008, 1:33 am
#29
Join Date: May 2006
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Used to love Yautacha until a horrible meal there recently. The others are good, but not excellent.