How to Order Dim Sum at a Chinese Restaurant

Going to a Dim Sum Restaurant can be intimidating. They are generally large, LOUD spaces with lots of people, lots of food and often, a language barrier. Here are tips to make it easier!

1. If it's Sunday, chances are, it will be crowded. More likely than not, you have to get a number. No one will come give you a number. Assert yourself and get yourself to the front (pushing may seem rude but sometimes it's gotta be done). Go to the waiter giving out the numbers and calling out tables. He will probably be carrying a clipboard and look frazzled. Tell him how many in your party and ask for a number. Don't bother asking how long or really any questions at all. It's useless. Your number will be called when there's a table that fits. It's not done in order. When there is a smaller table, they will call a later number even if your number comes before.

2. Once you get a seat, someone will come and ask if you want tea. If you don't know what kind of tea, just ask the waiter what he recommends. He will probably bring something generic anyway. Restaurant tea isn't great but it's never bad. Use this time (since you have his brief bit of attention) to ask for condiments (salt, pepper, soy sauce, mustard, hot sauce) if they are not on the table and you know you want it. Ask for cold water now. Ask for extra utensils, like forks, spoons, plates, glasses, etc., now. Don't ask him questions about the menu. He will not know. He will also be in a hurry.

3. You will get a card that will be marked every time you order food. Make sure to check that the people making marks are making the correct marks. Sometimes they overcharge by putting 2 marks for 1 plate of food. Just keep track. Keep count and find out how much each plate is. It's usually on the menu. They are usually distinguished by small plates, medium, large, and special. Looks can be deceiving so if you are on a budget, ask what size the plate is categorized as before ordering. Dim sum plates average about $1.50 for small to $3.00 to large and $6.00 for "special."

4. There will be carts of little plates of food being pushed around. Don't be afraid to stop them and ask what it is. While English may be limited, the servers of these plates will try their best. Order as you like. Eat.

A list of common dim sum foods written phonetically for your benefit (in cantonese as most dim sum places tend to be); I've included some things that you may not want to eat (or want to eat--depends if you are adventurous)

1. Har Gow: Shrimp wrapped in rice crepe in ball form steamed
2. Shumai: Little pork balls wrapped in wonton like wrappers and steamed
3. Ha Cherng: shrimp in rice crepe--kind of flat served with sweetened soy sauce.
4. Ow Cherng: same thing as above except with beef
5. Ow Yuk: beef
6. Gai: Chicken
7. Ha: Shrimp
8. Jiu yuk: pork
9. Fung Zao: A fancy way of saying chicken feet--it's actually really good but I can understand it's an acquired taste.
10. Lor Bot Go: Turnip cake--it's not really a cake. It's like a batter of turnip pieces mixed with a glutinous flour and then pan fried. It's good.
11. Pai Gwut: ribs (usually marinated and steamed)
12. Cha siu: bbq spare ribs
13. Que zhi: eggplant
14. chun Kuen: spring roll
15. dan tat: egg tart
16. xiao long bao: small steamed buns--chinese soup dumplings. small and flavorful.
17. jook: porridge
18. Ju hone: pork blood--it's heated and cubed to feel like tofu
19. Doe Fu-tofu