Okay, so, last weekend I was craving some proper dim sum. Not that fancy stuff, just good old-fashioned, no-frills dim sum. So, I decided to hit up Chinatown in London. I’d heard stories, you know? Like, proper, authentic stuff.
First thing I did was jump on the tube. Landed right in the middle of Chinatown, bam! It was buzzing, packed with people, smells everywhere. I started wandering around, just soaking it all in, checking out the menus plastered in the windows.
I walked past a few places that looked okay, but nothing really grabbed me until I saw this one spot. It didn’t have a fancy sign or anything, just a simple red awning and a few tables crammed inside. Looked like the real deal. Went right in.
Inside, it was loud. People chatting, clanging dishes, the whole shebang. I managed to snag a table near the back. The waiter, a no-nonsense kinda guy, just pointed at a menu on the table. No smiles, no small talk, just business. I liked it.
Right, time to order. I went for the classics, you know? Har gau (prawn dumplings), siu mai (pork dumplings), char siu bao (barbecue pork buns), and some cheung fun (rice noodle rolls). Gotta cover all the bases, right? I also ordered a pot of jasmine tea, because, well, it’s dim sum.
The food came out pretty quick. The har gau were plump and juicy, the siu mai were packed with flavour, and the char siu bao were fluffy and sweet. The cheung fun was silky smooth, drizzled with soy sauce and sesame oil. Everything was spot on. Like, seriously good.
I was chowing down, just completely lost in the food. Then I noticed this old guy at the next table, just demolishing a plate of chicken feet. I’m not brave enough for that yet, but it looked…interesting. Maybe next time.
Finished everything off, feeling stuffed and happy. Paid the bill, which was surprisingly cheap. Seriously, I could eat like a king there for a fraction of the price of some fancy restaurant.
Left the restaurant, stepped back out into the chaos of Chinatown. Took a deep breath, savoring the moment. That was some proper dim sum. I’ll definitely be going back.
Here is what I ordered:
- Har gau (prawn dumplings)
- Siu mai (pork dumplings)
- Char siu bao (barbecue pork buns)
- Cheung fun (rice noodle rolls)
If you’re ever in London and craving some authentic dim sum, skip the tourist traps and head straight to Chinatown. Find a place that looks busy and unpretentious. You won’t be disappointed. Trust me.
