So, I found myself heading out to Richmond the other day, you know, with that dim sum craving hitting hard. Everyone talks about Richmond like it’s the only place to get decent Chinese food around here, and honestly, sometimes it feels that way, even if getting there is a whole adventure in itself.
The Great Richmond Parking Hunt
First things first, finding the spot. We weren’t aiming for anywhere specific, just kinda drove into the general “food district” and hoped for the best. Parking, oh boy, parking in Richmond. It’s always a gamble. We circled around like vultures for a good fifteen minutes. Finally, squeezed into a spot that felt miles away, but hey, at least it was free. I swear, half the experience of eating in Richmond is just surviving the parking lot battles.
Into the Dim Sum Den
We picked a place that looked busy – always a good sign, right? Or maybe just a sign of slow service, who knows. The noise hit us like a wave as soon as we walked in. Carts clattering, people shouting orders in Cantonese, kids running around. You know, the usual dim sum symphony. We got a number and prepared for the wait. It wasn’t too bad, maybe twenty minutes. I’ve waited longer for a cup of coffee at some hipster joint.
They finally called our number and led us to a table, squeezed in between two other large families. Personal space? Forget about it. That’s dim sum culture for you. They slapped down a pot of tea and the little order sheet. I always get a bit antsy with those sheets, trying to remember the names of my favorites.
Let the Feast (or Famine) Begin
We started ticking off boxes.
- Har Gow (shrimp dumplings) – a must.
- Siu Mai (pork dumplings) – another classic.
- Char Siu Bao (BBQ pork buns) – steamed, of course.
- Lo Bak Go (turnip cake) – gotta have it pan-fried.
- Fung Jeow (chicken feet) – not for everyone, but I like ’em.
And a few other bits and pieces. The carts were rolling by, and we managed to flag down a couple for things like cheung fun (rice noodle rolls).
Now, the food itself. The Har Gow were pretty good. Shrimp was bouncy, wrapper wasn’t too thick. That’s a pass. The Siu Mai were decent, a bit on the smaller side, but flavorful. The Char Siu Bao, though, were a bit of a letdown. The filling was okay, but the bun was a tad dry. It’s funny, I remember this one time, years ago, I was in Hong Kong, at this tiny hole-in-the-wall place. Their char siu bao were legendary, fluffy like clouds, filling so juicy. Spoiled me for life, I tell ya. Every char siu bao since has been chasing that dragon.
The Lo Bak Go was nicely crispy on the outside, soft inside. That one hit the spot. Chicken feet? They were alright, standard fare. The Cheung Fun with shrimp was a bit clumpy, not the silky smooth texture you hope for. It’s always a mixed bag, isn’t it? You win some, you lose some.
The Service Shuffle
Service was… well, it was efficient, in that loud, chaotic dim sum way. Don’t expect smiles or chit-chat. They’re there to get food on your table and get you out. Tea refills happened eventually, usually after some vigorous waving. Trying to get an extra set of chopsticks felt like a major quest. It’s not like I expect five-star treatment, it’s just the way these places often are. They’re busy, I get it. But sometimes you just want a little less… combativeness in your dining experience.
It reminds me of this old job I had, not in food, but a totally different field. The office was pure chaos, everyone running around, systems barely holding together. You got things done, but man, it was stressful. This dim sum place had that same kind of energy. Organized chaos, I guess you’d call it.
The Aftermath and Final Verdict
We ate our fill, probably ordered a bit too much as usual. The table looked like a battlefield. Getting the bill took another round of frantic gesturing. Paid up, left a tip (because you have to, right?), and waddled our way out. The walk back to the car actually felt good after all that food.
So, was it the best dim sum I’ve ever had? Definitely not. Was it terrible? Nah, it was perfectly average Richmond dim sum. It did the job. It satisfied the craving. Would I go back to that specific restaurant? Maybe, if I was in the area and couldn’t be bothered to look for somewhere else. But I’m not rushing back, you know? The search for the perfect, consistently amazing dim sum continues. It’s a lifelong quest, I reckon.