This quintessential Chinese meal involves selecting small sweet and savory plates. It’s a fun, tasty way to socialize and connect, and also hugely popular and never rushed. At Continental Seafood Restaurant, you order from passing trolleys (more old school), but usually you mark your selections on a pad of paper. We strongly recommend arriving early or making a reservation if possible. Standard Dim Sum hours are 10:00am-2:00pm
Customs and traditions
Tea
Dim Sum originated in the ancient Silk Road tea houses in Southern China. As such, jasmine tea is a keystone of this meal. Remember not to pour tea for yourself, and when you require more water for your teapot, flip the lid upside down to notify the server.
Chopsticks
Only use your chopsticks for your own food. Use serving implements or offer small plates to your companions to serve themselves. When finished, place them together to the side or at the top of your dish or bowl. Don’t stick chopsticks into food or point at people with them. It’s acceptable in Chinese tradition to tip a bowl and guide food into your mouth with chopsticks.
Dim Sum Standouts
Empire Seafood Restaurant—One of Richmond’s oldest, this elegant Cantonese eatery has traditional dim sum as well as pork knuckle and geoduck (at dinner only).
Parkhill Seafood Restaurant – renowned for their expertise in Cantonese-style dim sum, and especially well known for their Chiu Chow (Teochew) cuisine.
Jade Seafood Restaurant—A contemporary take with traditional dishes and western-inspired fusion.