An email from Barb that is currently sitting unanswered in my inbox (sorry, Barb!) has prompted this addition to my slowly growing FAQ posts. And yes, if you haven’t yet noticed over on my various social platforms, I freaking adore dim sum. I adore it so much that I wrote it into Artifacts, Dragons, and Other Lethal Magic (Dowser 6). (Click here to read the scene/excerpt).
Vancouver, BC has a number of great dim sum places, and the menus all differ slightly, but here are some of my and Michael’s favs.
MCD’s Dim Sum Must Haves:
- Steamed prawn dumplings
- Streamed scallop dumplings (hard to get/find these days?)
- Pan-fried shrimp and chive or green onion dumplings (some have pork!)
- Deep fried squid
- Deep fried garlic shrimp spring rolls
- Gai Lan (Chinese Broccoli) in garlic (it’s normally served with oyster sauce)
- Sauce: a touch of soy sauce
Michael’s Dim Sum picks:
- Sticky Rice Wrap (often with pork, scallop, and shrimp)
- Pan-fried Taro Root Cake
- BBQ pork pastry
- Anything new of the menu that looks tasty (MJH is always will to try everything once).
- Sauces: mustard and/or hot sauce (add a touch to a dumpling, etc).
Other traditional picks (not necessarily personal favs but options) (Also MCD doesn’t eat pork):
- Rice rolls (all different kinds. A little ‘starchy’ but MCD will order prawns or scallops)
- Baked BBQ Pork Buns
- Pork/shrimp Shu Mai (dumplings)
- Veggie Dumplings
- Bean Curd rolls (usually they have pork, but I’ll order if I can find a veggie or seafood option).
What have I missed? What are your go-to dim sum dishes?
This was cruel! 😆 I love dim sum! It is now my lunchtime and our Dim Sum places close at 2:00 for their daily break! I guess I’ll just have to wing it with some Thai spring rolls 🥳
Think of how hard it was to write this post!!! 🤪
Then we are in the same boat! 🪅😆
My absolute favorite is Sesame balls (or Jin Deui). When they’re fresh and warm, slightly crisp on the outside and soft bean paste inside! But I am open to try anything and everything, and love dim sum SO MUCH. I haven’t had it since the last time I went to Chinatown many many years ago.
Ah, yes! I usually find the desserts too sweet and, you know, not chocolate. 😂
Custard tarts,warm from the oven,sesame balls with red bean paste,deep-fried tofu(look like little footballs) eggplant stuffed with shrimp and pork,curried squid,rice noodles with either shrimp or bbq pork,ha gow,sumai, chive dumplings..oh so many things!!
Yum!!
I just love BBQ pork buns. And now I really want some!
All of the above AND curried squid, sesame balls, deep fried taro root cakes, tiny garlic spare ribs, soup dumplings!