4 dim sums you must try and 3 dim sum places to go in North County

4 dim sums you must try

It is hard to name one food to represent a nation. For example, we can’t firmly say only burritos or tacos can represent Mexico or say only kimchi can represent Korean food.

Therefore, when people ask me what Chinese food is like,

it is hard to answer; China is so big, and people eat different kinds of food in different regions. Just like Californians to Texan barbeque, people from one region might have never tried certain Chinese food in another region.

However, if someone asks me what Chinese

food I recommend, it absolutely has to be dim sums. There are a lot of things that can be called dim sum: sticky rice chicken, xiaolongbao, shrimp dumplings, BBQ pork buns… When you are having a meal of dim sums, you get to taste a vast variety of foods, because they all come in small portions. It is like a heaven for people who can’t decide what to eat, you can have them all!

if you are drowned in the ocean of choices, here are Top # dim sums you need to order if you go to a dim sum place!

#1 Steamed Buns

Steam buns are one of the most universal food across China, from south to north, from day and night. You can eat buns at breakfast, lunch, dinner or as dessert! The most iconic stuffing for steamed buns is BBQ pork. The grease mixes perfectly well with the buns, so when you break it open, the grease doesn’t spill everywhere. The sweetness of the bun matches perfectly well with the pork, and it makes you want to scarf it down. With each bite, the flavor becomes richer and richer.

You don’t even want to share!

Other than BBQ pork buns, there are some other options. If you want it to be healthier, you can order veggie buns; if you don’t like pork, you can order chicken or veggie chicken buns; if you like it sweet like dessert, there are red bean buns, custard buns, and my absolute favor—sesame buns.

#2 Xiaolongbao

Wait a minute, those just look like buns! Although xiaolongbaos look like buns in shape, they are much smaller than buns. In fact, they are bite size, you can gobble up each of them in one bite. Another difference is that the skin of xiaolongbaos is thin and wet, while the skin of steamed buns is fluffy and thicker.

Nowadays, xiaolongbaos usually like soup and meat together inside the skin. The way to eat it is to nip on the skin a little and slurp the soup inside. After that, you can put the whole xiaolongbao into your mouth. Chew it, you will

enjoy the combination of remaining soup and the tender meat.

#3 Chicken Feet 

Yes, I am talking about cooked chicken feet. It might be hard for you at first but hear me out!

Chicken feet are so delicious, that almost everyone who goes to dim sum places will order at least a dish of them. Before being put in the steam wok, each chicken foot is carefully sanitized and marinated. Chicken feet are steamed slowly that when you eat them, you can feel them easily separate from the bones and melt in your mouth. I promise, once you try one chicken foot, you can never stop thinking about them from the rest of your life. It is that good.

Bonus? Picking out the bones from chicken feet can exercise your tongue and mouth coordination. (your partner will love you even more)

#4 Shrimp dumplings

What is more satisfying than eating shrimps? Eating a ball of shrimps. Shrimp dumplings are similar to xiaolongbaos. Other than the differences in appearance, shrimp dumplings, of course, have shrimps in them instead. The skin is simply to hold the ball of shrimps together, and it doesn’t add on much flavor.

The correct way to eat it is to dip it into soy sauce or/and with some vinegar. Soy sauce can magically bring out the flavor of shrimps, making steamed shrimps taste more enriched.

It is very satisfying to bite into a shrimp

dumpling because you can feel the chewiness of the shrimp ball, giving you a sense of fulfillment.

Has this blog inspired you going to a dim sum place right now? If you don’t know any restaurants in North County area, don’t worry! I have been to three places that I will recommend going.

#1 Feng Feng Yuen https://www.fungfungyuen.com/

This place is a traditional dim sum place. You don’t order from a menu! Servers push carts full of dim sums among tables, and each cart has a steaming system that keeps the food warm and steamy. You can simply ask what the server has in the cart and ask for it. In this way, you can see the food before you decide to get it! it provides efficiency and presentation of the food.

Usually, dim sums are provided during breakfast or lunch time, but Feng Feng Yuen has dim sum all day long!

#2 Imperial Mandarin Restaurant https://www.yelp.com/biz/imperial-mandarin-restaurant-san- diego

Once you have developed a taste of dim sums, you can go wild! Imperial Mandarin Restaurant uses secret menu system; you need to ask the server for the menu of dim sums. Their dim sums come in a larger portion, and you can easily be fed up by only a few dishes. So, I suggest you order as it goes. You don’t have to order all the dishes at once.

#Harumama https://www.harumamasd.com/

Comparing to the previous two, Harumama is a cute, trendy Asian fusion place that is famous for its cute character buns. Would you like to eat a pork bun that shapes like a cute pink pig, or a sweet Nutella bun what shapes like Hello Kitty? If you like a cute place to have a night out, this is the place to go! From time to time Harumama publishes different flavors of buns in characters, such as Wienie the Pooh or Snoopy!

Hopefully, you have gained some knowledge over this blog and get to know dim sums better! I have been to all the suggested places and you should definitely pay a visit!