So I gotta share this dim sum adventure I had at Lunasia in Alhambra. Woke up Saturday morning craving har gow real bad, remembered folks online raving about this spot. Grabbed my wife and said “let’s roll the dice on this place”.
The First Hurdle: Parking & Wait
Searched that parking lot like a hawk hunting prey. Circled three times before nabbing a spot near dumpsters. Walked in around 11am – bam! Wall-to-wall people. Got a buzzing coaster thingy while smelling shrimp dumplings drifting from kitchen. Took 45 damn minutes for that buzzer to light up. Stomach growled so loud folks turned around.
Ordering Frenzy Begins
Sat down at this wobbly table sweating bullets. Cart lady zoomed past us twice before stopping. Went full kid-in-candy-store mode:
- Har gow
- Shu mai
- BBQ pork buns
- Sticky rice in lotus leaf
- That funky chicken feet thing
Plus egg tarts for “dessert” – dude was starving!
The Food Verdict
Har gow skin? So damn thin you could read newspaper through it. Shu mai bursting with porky goodness. But here’s the kicker:
- Pork buns tasted like angels baked em
- Chicken feet? Slippery AF, weird texture
- Sticky rice just average
- Egg tarts arrived cold like fridge leftovers
Total damage? $68 before tip. Felt wallet having mini heart attack.
Was It Worth It?
Honest truth: yes if you’re chasing best-in-class har gow and shu mai. No if you expect everything perfect or hate crowds. Saw this tourist family nearby looking shell-shocked – probably regret flying from Ohio just for this.
Personally? Stomach says yes, credit card screams no. Would return for special occasions but skip the funky feet experiment next time. Dim sum quality’s solid, though I’d rather fight less crowds elsewhere on regular weekends.