Dim Sum?

[pez]

Hey guys, I remember as a kid being taken to some Dim Sum place where they brought carts of cool stuff to try and you could pick and choose. Does anyone know any good places like this in Northern Virginia?

[tlk2rn]

I have no idea what you are talking about. Maybe being from the country I need to get out more.

[JJredskins00]

Dim Sum is like a chinese dumpling, similar to a wonton, or steamed dumpling.

[Huly]

Some kind of buffet thing where they give you samples.

[pez]

Here's a good writeup I found:

What is Dim Sum and Where Are the Menus?

by Ginny McWong

Perhaps you have heard of Dim Sum and perhaps you haven't. If you had, you would know that Dim Sum is a Chinese meal that is more of a style of eating, than any one particular dish. But for the uninitiated, Dim Sum can be a daunting array of odd-looking dishes, new tastes and a new way of eating.

In a nutshell, Dim Sum is best explained as a breakfast/lunch meal of small, individual prepared dishes that are usually ordered off carts that are pushed through the dining room. Although Dim Sum can be found in all parts of the world, it is predominantly found in Chinese communities. Foods range from pastry-type items, to barbecued meat dishes to buns and dumplings.

Don't ask for a menu, because many times there isn't one. Instead, you are supposed to keep looking for the carts that pass your table and see if anything appeals to you. Though there are many items that look odd and may seem more like decoration than food, be sure to try new things if you have the chance. The dishes are small and your meal should consist of multiple items and there is always room for something new.

Some favorites to definitely try are Char Siu Baos (which are pork buns--be sure to check out the cool tee shirts below!), Shu Mai and Har Gow (dumplings with pork, vegetables, shrimp) and Chicken Feet. But don't stop there. Most everyone who has had Dim Sum has a favorite. It just may take time to find it.

When you first sit down at the table, your waiter will probably ask what type of tea you would like. This is also a Dim Sum tradition. The perfect hot tea is just what it takes to complete a Dim Sum meal. Now, some restaurants do offer menus or ordering sheets on which you can mark your selections. Often times this is done so that you can order directly what you want and not have to wait for the cart-ladies to come around. This is good for veteran Dim Summers, but it puts the Novice at a disadvantage for they do not get to check out the dishes before deciding. Most restaurants, however, just have carts going around the dining room with the dishes on display.

When you chose a dish, the servers pushing the cart will stamp or mark your ticket to keep track of what you have ordered. At the end, somebody will add up everything for your final bill.

Now you are probably wondering where you can experience Dim Sum. Well, if you're in Asia, then you can't be far. Nearly all major Chinese cities (the bigger restaurants and hotels at least) will server Dim Sum (usually for breakfast and lunch, although there are 'all-day' or 24-hour places as well). Outside of Asia, most large cities with any kind of Asian influence will have at least one Dim Sum restaurant. Cities with Chinatowns (New York, L.A., San Francisco, etc.) will have many restaurants serving Dim Sum.

[SKINtil8tin]

Pez,

Fortune Restaurant has dim sum. There happens to be a Fortune in Reston at Nothpoint. However, if I remember correctly, it's not as good as the Fortune at Seven Corners which was originally located at Bailey's Corssroads. Sunday is probably the best day to go - I know they do dim dum during the week but the variety is not as vast. Some pretty interesting items on those carts if you're adventurous. I liked it the last time I went but I'm also the kind of guy that loves to try foods that I've never seen (within reason, of course.)

[Sarge]

Good stuff. Goes good with fried ****roaches

[iheartskins]

Pez, if you and Huly come up to New York, I'd be more than happy to give you a bunch of good recommendations. My favorite place, Lin's Dumpling House off of Mott Street in Chinatown is now under new management and sucks--but there are plenty of others. So, like I said, let me know if you want some NYC recommendations at any point in the future.

[Huly]

Thanks but I think Pez is keeping me away from NY city. Last January Armani and I got along a little too well.