Alright guys, grabbed my notebook and headed straight to Chinatown this morning. Gotta track down every dim sum plate cost like I promised last week. Woke up early, stomach already growling for some har gow.
The Price Hunt Begins
Sat down at Jade Garden around 8 AM. First thing I did? Stare HARD at that menu card. Tiny print drove me nuts. Snapped pics of each section with my phone like some food detective. Manager kept side-eyeing me while I flipped pages three times.
- Small plates: Marked as “$3.95” but handwritten sticker slapped over it said “$4.25”. Classic.
- Medium plates: Blank spot where price should be! Had to flag down three waitresses before one sighed “$5.50, lah”.
- Special items: Just said “MP” – market price. Had to ask about EVERY SINGLE ONE. My Cantonese is crap but I pointed aggressively.
Chaos During Ordering
Steamed carts started rolling by 8:30. Grabbed two shrimp dumplings first. Lady tapped her pen on my sheet – “$4.25”! I pointed at menu’s $3.95. She just shrugged: “New paper come tomorrow maybe.”
Almost choked on siu mai when they charged $5.80 for “premium size”. Regular one was $4.50 last month! Manager mumbled something about shrimp prices. My tea cup felt extra heavy pouring that third refill.
The Ugly Math
Pulled out my calculator when the bill came. Check this nonsense:
- Har gow (4 pieces): $4.25 → $1.06 each
- Cha siu bao: $4.50 → $1.50 per bun
- Fried taro cake: $5.80 → OUTRAGEOUS
Scrawled on my napkin: Total for 6 plates = $31.45 before tip. My 2021 notes showed $24.90 for same order. Nearly ripped the receipt stabbing numbers.
Realizations & Rants
Walked out feeling like they pickpocketed me. Takeaways:
- Never trust printed prices – sticker warfare is REAL
- “Market price” = “we charge whatever today”
- Tiny portions got tinier
- Tea ain’t free refills anymore (!!!)
Gonna check two more spots this weekend. Might bring a scale next time to weigh those shrinking dumplings. Ya’ll better appreciate this grind – my wallet’s screaming. Maybe just cook at home next week. Or eat cereal.