If Dim Sum is your thing then Hong Kong is the right place to go. On my last visit, I went to Maxim’s Palace, reputably one of the best restaurants to sample this delicious delicacy, strangely located in the City Hall. As it’s so popular be prepared for a wait when you arrive – you’ll be given a ticket with a number on which will invariably only make you more hungry as you soak up the sights and smells from the enormous dining hall with a great view over Victoria Harbour.
“Traditional dim sum includes various types of steamed buns such as cha siu baau, dumplings and rice noodle rolls (cheong fun), which contain a range of ingredients, including beef, chicken, pork, prawns and vegetarian options… Dim sum can be cooked by steaming and frying, among other methods. The serving sizes are usually small and normally served as three or four pieces in one dish.”
Because of the small portions, you can try many different types in one sitting which you pick from carts being wheeled around the restaurant. Most are served with different sauces (sweet/sour/spicy) and of course, drinking tea (Yum cha) is a must. Be sure to come after 11 am and before 3 pm – you’ll find the restaurant in the very inauspicious looking City Hall building on the second floor not far from Central MTR station.
It’s not the cheapest place by Chinese standards at 25-50 HKD per dish (£2-4) but well worth it given the exceptional quality and great setting. If you can’t make it to Hong Kong but are in London I also highly recommend the Dragon Castle which I previously reviewed and often frequented when I lived there!
Thanks for the info Shuo – do you know any good Dim Sum places in Shenzhen? I’ve not come across any yet…
Ah~I like this theme.People in Guangdong also often have Dim Sum(Cantonese really matches English).I haven’t sampled Hongkong ones but it seems that they cost much more.You may go have some in Guangzhou,I bet they won’t taste worse than Hongkong’s.
We call it go “drinking morning tea” or ” drinking afrernoon tea” when having dim sum.It’s because the time we often do it is like brunch or lunner time.It’s been a long time since last time I had “morning tea”.You’re literarily a good reminder.^^
Maxim is good although a bit pricier than other restaurants. Heck, every restaurant in HK is good for dim sum, period!
My wife and I going to visit Hong Kong for the first time, any recommendation of where about we can find a good dim sum (must open early)? Because we have time limitation, please advise, thanks
Hi Tin – Maxim’s Palace is a good place to try good Dim Sum – it’s a little expensive but the quality is excellent. I think it opens around 10am.
You can find more good advice here – http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/318331
[…] flew into Hong Kong to visit the family. I am really grateful they let me join them for lunch at Maxim’s Palace, which some locals consider as one of the best dim sum restaurants in all of Hong Kong. Share […]