![]() ![]() outposts, including several in Southern California and two in the Seattle area-one in the University District and one in Bellevue. Perhaps you’ve heard well-traveled foodie friends moan about this place when they dined there in Singapore or Taiwan? No need to book a ticket to Asia: Din Tai Fung has a growing number of U.S. Cap off your meal with a selection of custard tarts, sesame balls and pillowy pineapple buns. The menu goes on for several pages, offering favorites like BBQ pork buns, shrimp and leek dumplings, shumai, salt and pepper tofu, taro, porridge and chicken feet. Carts roll by in all directions, and each server is wired with a tiny microphone to relay orders to the kitchen. Luckily for the waiting throngs, the seating here is plentiful, including tables fit for two to 12. Large families gather around the plants up front and cluster on the sidewalk. The line begins to form an hour before opening at this bustling Alameda eatery, where gilded dragons snake across the walls. East Ocean Seafood Restaurant, San Francisco, CA Shutterstock “The Original” egg roll (chun juan), is the size of a prizefighter’s meaty fist and comprised of a soft, eggy crêpe, stuffed with shredded chicken and mushroom. Char siu bao (fluffy BBQ pork buns) explode with shredded meat and caramelized onions. The historic house specialty, xing ren bing (almond cookies), are as big as dinner plates. The classics remain, alongside brunch mimosas and gluten-free options. Today, the biggest fight on the block is the weekend wait for Nom Wah-now the oldest dim sum parlor in the city. ![]() Given Doyers Street’s notoriously grisly gang wars in the early 20th century, it’s a surprise that the original owners of Nom Wah decided to set up a dainty tea shop there in 1920, turning out reputation-making moon cakes. They’re the best dim sum restaurants and, if you’re a dim sum lover, your foodie bucket list. From Chinatown in San Francisco to downtown Manhattan to Miami, Vegas, Portland and beyond, these restaurants do little-dishes-on-carts (and sometimes not on carts) better than the rest. But so are we-nothing pleases us more than a steamer full of har gow straight from the cart - which is why we pushed forward with the task. Because people are passionate about their dim sum. ![]() Okay, we’re wading into dangerous territory here: Declaring the best dim sum restaurants in America is a task sure to excite the same level of furious disagreement that we faced when we endeavoured to rank the best Mexican restaurants and best sushi restaurants in America. The 17 best Chinese restaurants in America I liked it and recommend it for an adventure but, like my daughter, did not find it exceptional and worth the 20+ mile drive.The 20 best Mexican restaurants in America My reluctance to be as impressed as some other reviewers is more likely the product of having a hopefully sophisticated palate and not being interested in a foodie "scene." Or maybe I am just grumpy. ![]() DO go for a taste of what a very good Dim Sum palace can be. Don't go for a chance to visit with friends, as the cacophony makes conversation without shouting impossible. To folks who don't come from places that can support extremely diverse ethnic restaurants, places like this are like visiting OZ, in the most positive sense. There were six in our party and the food was put before us very rapidly, requiring that we say "No, thank you" many, many times. The clientele the day we visited included many Asian, apparently Chinese, extended families. It is a huge facility, the staff is very attentive, which is necessary in eateries of this type, where rapid turnover is essential to the business plan. The food was quite good and there were some dishes not commonly seen at the excellent Contra Costa County dim sum place I frequent. We were literally first or near-first on-line at the 10 am opening. One of my sons, who lives on the SF side of the Bay, asked that we celebrate his birthday here. ![]()
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