Dim Sum in the Heartland – What's Good?

[Naftal]

Hello- I have had good dim sum in SE Michigan (Shangri-La) and in Chicago (Cai). But I know there are other amazing places, too.  So... Where do you go for really good dim sum?

[joiei]

Try OKC

[cyalexa]

Try OKC

[MartinW]

The Twin Cities of Minnesota have at least 3 places I know of for dim sum, but the best I have had by far is Yangtze restaurant in St. Louis Park (on the west side of Minneapolis). It is a little hard to find. Use a GPS if you have it. It is located in a strip mall at the end of a dead end road. They only have it on weekends from 10 am to 2 pm. They have the carts that they push through the dining area and you choose from what they have. Sometimes you have to wait to get the dish you want, but just ask the lady and she will come by the next time they put it on her cart. Their phoenix talons (chicken feet) are cooked perfectly and the sauce is good. I also recommend the bbq pork buns, doufu hua with ginger syrup, pork riblets with a black bean sauce, luo bo gao (steamed, then sliced and pan fried daikon cake), the steamed shrimp dumplings and the ones with shrimp mixed with pork. Really you can try almost everything and you won't be disappointed. The only dish I didn't care for was one made of tripe. It had a little too much flavor if you know what I mean. I have had tripe before, but it wasn't quite so pungent. Also be prepared for the fact that some of the beef and pork dishes might be a little chewy to typical American preferences and have some bone, fat and gristle. Most Chinese like to work for their meat and don't mind bones and cartilage (my wife calls cartilage crispy bone, and enjoys eating it). The ladies who push the carts are very friendly and helpful (maybe it helped that I was there with my Chinese wife and her parents, and I spoke a tiny bit of Chinese. I even was complimented for eating that kind of food and for my chopstick skills). The prices are reasonable for what you get I feel. We paid around $80 for 4 adults once all the dishes were added up. I am a big eater and I was stuffed and we had a few leftovers to take home. They get a lot of Chinese customers (which is a good sign to me), but we never have had trouble getting a table. It is a lot bigger inside than the outside appearance indicates. Give it a try if you ever get to the Minneapolis area.

[Fernet-Bronco]

Used to get very good dim sum at Lu Lu Seafood in St. Louis, Mo. Probably the best place in eastern Missouri for it. (Not sure that's saying much, but it really is good.)

[Jaymes]

Although I haven't been, have friends that have told me Kansas City has a couple of places with very good dim sum. You might check that out.

[vivian darkbloom]

Fernet-Bronco - Lulu's is  pretty good (I became so spoiled by my years in SF), the sizes are a bit odd - the har gow and siu mai are sorta 'jumbo' but the flavors and textures are on the mark.

 

[Naftal]

MartinW- Phoenix talons are one of my favorite dishes!

Vivian darkblood-The har gow at Cai is listed  as Super Har Gow and the description reads "Jumbo Shrimp Dumpling". Perhaps it is just a regional thing. I hope ,one day, to try the dim sum on the West Coast, I envy those who have!  And, I love siu mai.

 

[cyalexa]

On 1/27/2015 at 7:32 AM, cyalexa said:

On 1/27/2015 at 1:17 AM, joiei said:

Try OKC

@joiei

While looking for a place to eat in Joplin or Springfield I came across these posts. Where in OKC and lets go!

[Alex]

Wei Wei Palace (if Naftal should ever detour through GR on his way to or from Chicago). Here's their dim sum menu.

[joiei]

On 1/27/2015 at 7:32 AM, cyalexa said:

On 1/26/2015 at 1:17 AM, joiei said:

Try OKC

Hi cyalexa  I need to start reading eG more frequently.   For Asian in OKC my preference is for the Golden Phoenix on N Classen.  Amazing food.  I will gladly meet you there on a Sunday.  And I have a friend and dining companion who will be very upset with me if she finds out I went and didn't take her.  I am free pretty much any time.