So, Milan. Yeah, Milan. You’re thinking fashion, fancy dinners, pasta, right? Well, one day, I woke up with this massive craving, like a real physical need, for dim sum. Crazy, I know. Dim sum in Milan? Sounded like a bit of a wild goose chase, but when the craving hits, it hits hard. I just had to try and find some.
The Big Search
First thing, I grabbed my phone. What else do you do these days? Typed in “dim sum Milan” and held my breath. A few places popped up, more than I expected, actually. Some looked a bit too fancy, you know, trying too hard to be ‘fusion’ or something. I wasn’t in the mood for that. I wanted something that felt, well, at least a bit like the real deal, or as close as I could get in Italy. I scrolled through some pictures, read a couple of very mixed reviews. You know how it is, one person says it’s heaven, the next says it’s terrible. Who do you believe?
Finally, I picked one. It wasn’t the closest, nor the fanciest. It just had a vibe from the pictures, maybe a little bit worn, which sometimes is a good sign, right? Means it’s been around, people actually go there. Or it’s just rundown, ha! It was a gamble.
Venturing Out and First Looks
So, I hopped on a tram. The journey itself was kinda nice, seeing a bit of Milan I wouldn’t normally see. Got to the neighborhood, found the street, and there it was. Didn’t look like much from the outside, pretty unassuming. Walked in, and it was… quiet. Too quiet for a dim sum place at what I thought was a decent hour. A few tables occupied, that’s it. Red lanterns, check. Bit of generic Chinese restaurant decor, check. The smell, though, that was promising. That steamy, savory smell. Okay, maybe this wouldn’t be a total disaster.
They seated me, handed me one of those picture menus, which is always helpful when you’re not quite sure. The staff were polite enough, not overly friendly, but efficient. I started ticking off boxes on the order sheet. Felt a bit like being a kid in a candy store, except the candy was steamed and fried goodies.
The Moment of Truth: The Food
I didn’t go too crazy, just ordered a few classics. Here’s what landed on my table:
- Har Gow (Shrimp Dumplings): These are always the first test for me. The wrappers were a little on the thick side, not that beautiful translucent thinness you hope for. But the shrimp inside? Pretty good, actually. Fresh.
- Siu Mai (Pork and Shrimp Dumplings): These were okay. Decent flavor, but a bit dense. Not as juicy as the best ones I’ve had. Edible, for sure, but not making me sing.
- Char Siu Bao (BBQ Pork Buns): I got the steamed ones. The bun itself was fluffy enough. The filling was sweet, a bit too sweet for my liking, and not enough of that smoky BBQ flavor.
- Cheung Fun (Rice Noodle Rolls): Went for the shrimp ones. The noodle was smooth, which was a plus. Sauce was a standard sweet soy. Again, decent, but not mind-blowing.
Overall, it wasn’t terrible. And it wasn’t amazing. It was… dim sum in Milan. It scratched the itch, let’s put it that way. It was like they had all the right ingredients, all the right names on the menu, but the execution, the soul, was just a little bit off. Like a cover band playing your favorite song. You recognize it, you can sing along, but it’s not quite the original, you know?
I ate, I paid, I left. Was I disappointed? A little. Was I glad I tried? Yeah, definitely. It’s all part of the experience, finding these little pockets of different cultures in unexpected places. It’s never going to be exactly like home, or like the place you think is the ‘best’. And that’s okay. It’s its own thing. Milan dim sum. It exists. And I found it. Now, back to pasta, I guess?