BECOME AN INSTANT DIM SUM EXPERT:
Many Chinese restaurants offer Dim Sum (which means “Pieces of the Heart”). See Ton Kiang and Asia Gardens in the restaurant section for example. Steve thinks if you know the Chinese names of the dishes you get better service, so here’s a guide to some of the more popular dim sum dishes (and what they are):
| Dim Sum Name | Translated Name | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Har Gow (like “Cow”) | Shrimp Dumpling | Shrimp in a clear rice pouch. |
| Siu My (like “ Shoe Fly”) | Pork and Shrimp Dumpling | Pork & shrimp in a yellow rice pouch. |
| Siu Lung Bow (like “Cow”) | Shanghai Meat Dumpling | Pork and ginger.in a white rice pouch |
| Nol My Guy | Sticky Rice | Rice with meat cooked inside. |
| Ha Young | Shrimp Balls | Chopped shrimp with a crunchy outside. |
| Tao Mayo | Snow Pea Greens | Most intense green vegetable anywhere! |
| Wah Tip | Pot Stickers, very popular | Pork or Vegetables in a thick wrapper. |
| Polo Bao | Custard filled pastry | Yummy Chinese dessert. |
Once you’ve started, just try whatever looks good. Steve is famous within Belden for liking chicken feet (fung tzo), but that’s an acquired taste! On the other hand, if you’re adventurous, you will be amazed at the reaction when you ask for them. (They’re the favorite dish of the Chinese staff.)