Alright, so I gotta tell you about my mission to find some decent dim sum in NYC. It wasn’t exactly a walk in the park, let me tell ya.
The Sudden Craving
It all started one random Saturday. Woke up, and bam! The only thing on my mind was dim sum. You know how it is, that craving just hits you. I’d heard folks talking about how NYC has amazing dim sum, especially down in Chinatown. So, I figured, why not? Seemed like a simple enough plan. Simple plan, famous last words.
Diving into Chinatown
So, I hopped on the subway, got off, and whoa. Chinatown is a whole other world. So many restaurants, so many people, signs I couldn’t read. My simple plan started to feel a bit less simple. I walked around for a bit, peeking into places. Some looked too fancy, some looked kinda empty – which is never a good sign for dim sum, right? I was getting seriously hungry, and a little frustrated, not gonna lie.
I saw a couple of spots with massive lines. Now, some people say “long line, good food.” Me? I just see a long wait when I’m already starving. I wasn’t in the mood for that. I was looking for that hidden gem, you know? Or maybe I was just being difficult.
Finding ‘The Spot’ (Sort Of)
Finally, I stumbled down a side street and saw this place. It wasn’t flashy, a bit noisy, looked like locals were actually eating there. Good enough for me, I thought. So, I went in. Chaos. Pure, unadulterated chaos. Carts flying by, people shouting in Cantonese, me just standing there like a lost puppy. There were no menus, really, just ladies pushing carts piled high with steamers.
Here’s what I ended up with, mostly by pointing and hoping for the best:
- Siu Mai (classic, can’t go wrong, these were pretty good)
- Har Gow (shrimp dumplings, decent)
- Some kind of steamed bun with who-knows-what inside (it was okay)
- Chicken feet (yep, I tried them. Not my favorite, but hey, experience!)
The tea was hot, the food came quick, and it was definitely an experience. Some dishes were amazing, hitting that spot just right. Others? Well, let’s just say they were an adventure for the palate. It wasn’t the quiet, refined meal I might have imagined. It was loud, a bit messy, and totally overwhelming at times.
So, What’s the Verdict?
Was it the “best dim sum ever” like some people hype up? Probably not. But was it an authentic, memorable NYC experience? Absolutely. I learned a few things. First, go with someone who knows what they’re doing, or at least be ready to just point and pray. Second, don’t expect a five-star service experience everywhere; sometimes it’s about the hustle and the food itself. And third, wear comfy shoes because you’ll be doing a lot of walking and confused wandering.
Would I do it again? Yeah, I think so. But next time, I’ll maybe do a tiny bit more research on a specific spot, or just embrace the chaos even more. It’s all part of the fun, I guess. Or maybe I’ll just stick to my local spot back home. Kidding! NYC dim sum, you’re a wild ride, but I’ll be back.