Philly DimSum

[Allura]

So I might be going to Chinatown on Saturday, and the plan includes DimSum for lunch, followed by shopping. The odds are that I will *not* be expected to pay for myself (between my Chinese friend & my Thai friend's mother, there's apparently usually quite a bit of arguing over who gets to pay the check ), but in the case that I do, any idea how much it could end up being? I've *never* been for dim sum, and I have no idea where we're going, so I guess it's not that helpful. But any vague ideas would be great.

Ok, so I found out we're probably going to joy tsing lau. Any "gotta try" or "gotta avoid"?

Edited January 22, 2003 by Allura (log)

[herbacidal]

joy tsin lau is decent not particularly special.

if it's just the 3 of you, assuming you don't eat as much as i do, let's say about $20-25 plus tip.

it's best to go with group of at least 6, brings costs pp way down. also get to try more things.

[Scoats]

My favoirte place for Dim Sum is HK Golden Pheonix, 913 (or so) Race Street.

As far as must gets or must avoids, for newbies I recommend NOT ordering anything and letting the experienced dim summers guide the experience, since the whole table will sharing everything. Sit back, watch, eat and enjoy. After a couple of dim sum brunches under your belt, you'll be ready to be a captain.

I always get Shui Mai. Don't avoid anything. Lately I have come to enjoy what I call the hairball. (I long ago gave up trying to understand the waitresses when I ask what things are called. Learning "Shui Mai" took me years). The hairball is some sort of meat ball (I think) covered with orange hairy stuff. Shrimp ball and shrimp toast are always great.

Herb, could you tell me what the hairball is called?

For two people, eating as much as we want, the bill with tip is never over $20 total.

[Allura]

Lately I have come to enjoy what I call the hairball. (I long ago gave up trying to understand the waitresses when I ask what things are called. Learning "Shui Mai" took me years). The hairball is some sort of meat ball (I think) covered with orange hairy stuff. Shrimp ball and shrimp toast are always great.

I think I know what you're talking about now. It's a taro ball.

There were 5 of us, and after all that I wasn't allowed to pay. Oh, darn.

We ate a *lot*. Things I ate: shu mai, veggie & shrimp dumpling, some kind of spinach pasta (?) dumpling, "spareribs" (good flavor but fatty), clear dumplings, "noodles" filled with shrimp, clams, frog legs, pork buns, chicken buns, sponge cake, ginger soy pudding, sesame balls. I"m sure there was more, but I don't remember

Things we ordered but I didn't eat: duck's blood, duck feet, rice "porridge", almond pudding (apparently a fav of my friend, since she didn't share ).

Oh, and I *really* need chop stick practice.

[Scoats]

I think I know what you're talking about now. It's a taro ball.

Wow, only there once and you know what the hair ball is called. I'm impressed. BTW how did you like the taro ball?

Sounds like you had some excellent dim sum captains at your table. Your list includes some things I haven't had yet.

[Allura]

Well, I did have a suspicion, since I had seen something like that at the Edison Chinese Buffet on Rt1, NJ, and had asked my friend about it at the time. Umm...I didn't try it, though. It just didn't make it to my side of the table. Oh, darn, I'll have to go for dim sum some other time