Alright, so I found myself in Millbrae the other day, and you know when that dim sum craving hits, it hits hard. I’d heard a few whispers about some decent spots around there, so I figured, why not give it a shot? It’s always a bit of a gamble, trying out a new dim sum place, but hey, that’s part of the adventure, right?
Getting Started in Millbrae
So, I headed over to this place. Didn’t make a reservation or anything, just showed up. Parking, as usual in these kinds of areas, was a bit of a thing. Circled around a couple of times, you know the drill. Finally snagged a spot that wasn’t a mile away. Felt like a small win already.
Walked in, and the place was buzzing. That’s usually a good sign for dim sum, I reckon. If it’s empty, you start to wonder. It was pretty packed, lots of families, loud chatter, the clatter of dishes – basically, your typical dim sum scene. The smell of it all, though, that’s what gets you. Steamed goodies, fried stuff, tea… yeah, I was ready to eat.
The Main Event: Eating All The Things
We got seated pretty quick, surprisingly. Maybe we timed it just right, or maybe they’re just super efficient. They handed us one of those paper menus where you tick off what you want, but the carts were also rolling around. I’m more of a cart guy, to be honest. I like to see what I’m getting.
First things first, tea. Got a pot of jasmine, standard procedure. Then the cart vigil began. My eyes were peeled.
- Har Gow (Shrimp Dumplings): These are always my first test. The skin was decent, not too thick, not broken. Shrimp inside was nice and snappy. Good start.
- Siu Mai (Pork Dumplings): Another classic. These were pretty hefty, good flavor. Can’t really go wrong with siu mai, can you?
- Char Siu Bao (BBQ Pork Buns): Went for the steamed ones. Fluffy bun, sweet and savory pork filling. Hit the spot. My kid loves these, so we always get a couple.
- Cheung Fun (Rice Noodle Rolls): Got the shrimp ones. The noodles were smooth, and the soy sauce they pour over it was just right, not too salty.
- Lo Mai Gai (Sticky Rice in Lotus Leaf): This is one of my personal favorites. Unwrapping that leaf is always satisfying. The rice was cooked well, good mix of chicken and sausage inside. It was a hefty portion.
- Fried Taro Dumplings (Wu Gok): These looked amazing on the cart, all crispy and lacy. The outside was super crunchy, and the taro filling was smooth and savory. Definitely a highlight.
We also grabbed some egg tarts towards the end. The custard was wobbly and sweet, and the pastry was flaky. A nice way to finish things off. The ladies pushing the carts were quick, sometimes a bit too quick, you gotta be fast to flag them down or point at what you want. But that’s just the dim sum hustle, part of the experience.
Wrapping Up the Millbrae Dim Sum Run
We were pretty stuffed by the end. The table was a glorious mess of empty steamer baskets and little plates. Paying the bill was straightforward, they just count up your stamps on the card. No fuss.
Overall, I’d say it was a solid dim sum experience in Millbrae. Was it the absolute best I’ve ever had in my life? Maybe not, but it was definitely up there, enjoyable, and satisfied that craving. The food was fresh, the variety was good, and the atmosphere was authentic. You know, sometimes you just want that classic, no-frills dim sum, and this place delivered. I’d probably go back if I was in the area again and feeling that dim sum itch. It’s good to have reliable spots, and this one seems like it could be one of them. Just gotta be prepared for the noise and the fast pace, but that’s dim sum for ya!