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Best Dim Sum in the Bay
I figured it is moot to complain about the prices at Yank Sing if it is "the best". I kinda figured the best dim sum is out of the city, but since there's quite an area to cover, I had to appeal to the Chow board. How does the places you recommend compare to Koi?
Best Dim Sum in the Bay
I'm so glad there's someone out there already doing the dim sum tour. I totally know what you mean about the HK relatives! I found that in HK, some people rate perceived value over excellence, which I guess is fine if you eat out every meal, but such is not the case for me.
I've been to a resturant in the Intercontinental in HK, many years ago now, and that dinner was amazing. It was one of those experiences where my palette was constantly stimulated and challanged, and yet everything was harmonious and at the end, I felt like it was a COMPLETE meal, in that there wasn't a single thing I could think of that I wanted. Thanks godparents!
You totally made my mouth water with that siu mai description, it reminds me of these wontons I had once at this place in Markham (Toronto), it's unbelievable how a mixutre of pork and shrimp can yield such a delightful bite. That's the second thing I have to find, the perfect jook and noodle place!
Thank you for your thoughtful post, I really appreciate all your insights.
Best Dim Sum in the Bay
Thanks for the responses, I'll make it a mission to try out all the places recommended over the next couple of months (OK, maybe not as quickly for SGV). Please keep the recommendations coming!
Best Dim Sum in the Bay
The XLB type dumplings are better at Koi for sure - I have found that ShangHai Dumpling Shop in Millbrae to be good as well as a more "pure" XLB place.
Your cited reason regarding recent HK immigrants are certainly very valid. I have noticed certainly much more "old schoolness" not only at resturants, but also for even things like medicine shops and bakeries and grocery stores. I'm sure though Vancouver or Toronto will also be old-fashioned compared to HK or ShangHai. I think those places though are helped by not only the fact there are newer immigrants, but also a large flux of young people that frequently visit HK and China, like every year. I can only hope that the Bay will catchup soon, it's surprising that it's not already much closer since there is so much money here!
Best Dim Sum in the Bay
With the large group we had, we had probably ordered all the dumplings they had. We also had the rice wrappers with the shrimp or other stuffing in the middle. We also had some buns and various things they had wheeled around, such as the lotus leaf rice.
I just find the dumpling wrapper very thick, which results in chewiness. The same with the rice wrappers, and with slight graininess as well, good ones are supposed to be transulcent with silky texture. The buns' stuffings are not very good. It could be that by the time the items get to us in the large roon, it is already cooled, which does severly impact the texture of hot steamed items.
I do agree that Yank Sing is very expensive for what the meal is - it is after all dim sum. Fortunately, I'm not a big eater so if this is the best in the bay, I can afford a treat for myself once in awhile.
Best Dim Sum in the Bay
I guess I'm pretty picky - I've been spoiled. But to be honest, I have secretly suspect that the best dimsum is to be found outside of the city, that's generally the case with areas with lots of chinese settlers :)
Re: Belmont resturant, is it called ABC? That seems to the place that comes up in searches.
Re: Fook Yuen, how does it compare to HK Flower Lounge?
Best Dim Sum in the Bay
Seems like it's been awhile since everyone got all stirred up about this, so I'd like to throw this out for the New Year. I'm a recent transplant to the Bay from Toronto, which probably has the some of the best Chinese food in the world. I would know since I grew up in Hong Kong with foodie parents. I've been extremely disappointed by the "best" chinese places so far. I've tried several places for dinner in SF chinatown, universally bad, not innovative, and the hole-in-the-wall is totally not my thing since that seems to only attract guai-lo and elderly chinese people.
I've tried Koi Palace for dim sum, it is at best mediocre, and the price is pretty outrageous for what they serve you. Yank Sing is the best I've found so far, but it's still not excellent by any means, although all the items are fresh and is approaching the delicacy I would expect from dim sum. All the "offical" reviews seem to rank this place very highly, so I'm worried there's really no better places in the Bay. I have a car and will travel for better dim sum, I'm seriously suffering withdrawal. Any suggestions?
