I love Dim Sum. Growing up in the Bay Area we would often venture into San Francisco for an afternoon wandering around Chinatown. Aside from browsing the markets and trinket shops, our trip was not complete without Dim Sum lunch. Some of my favorite childhood memories involve the hustle and bustle of a packed restaurant and carts whizzing around in between overcrowded tables.
For those not familiar with a traditional Dim Sum lunch, it’s a style of Chinese cuisine served like appetizers.
These little bite-sized dishes are all ready to serve on demand from wheeled carts. Typically served in the afternoon from 11am-3pm, there are a wide variety of tapas style treats to try.
We love some of the traditional dishes like: shrimp dumplings, barbeque pork buns, beef rice noodles, and pork shu mai. We sometimes venture out but still haven’t mustered the fish balls or chicken feet.
Once I moved to Orange County, I was delighted to find a great little Dim Sum place not to far from my house. My husband and I spend many years and lazy Sundays there and our boys grew up loving it too.
I think one the best things about dim sum is that my kids will eat it.
Point to something and it’s on your table instantly. The hardest part for us eating out with toddlers is the order and waiting. Need I say more on why one would love this lunch option?
We can sit down and eat almost moments later with minimal waiting.
One rainy afternoon (perfect Dim Sum weather) we drove to our favorite restaurant to find it closed indefinitely. Sadness and confusion rushed over us. We has just been there the week before and all seemed fine. Our son actually cried when we pulled out of the empty parking lot. Our close to home go to spot was gone and we had to find a suitable replacement. We were on the quest for a new spot.
Here are some of the restaurants we have tried that serve Dim Sum in Orange County.
Capital Seafood – 770 Spectrum Center Dr, Irvine, CA 91788
18 Folds – 430 S Anaheim Blvd, Anaheim, CA 92805
Tin Tin Seafood Restaurant – 669 N. Euclid, Anaheim, CA 92801
Seafood Cove #2 – 9211 Bolsa Ave, Westminster, CA 92683
Irvine China Garden – 14825 Jeffrey Road (Arbor Village Shopping Center), Irvine, CA 92618
Sam Woo Restaurant Irvine – 15333 Culver Drive (Culver Plaza), Irvine, CA 92604
Din Tai Fung – 3333 Bristol Street (South Coast Plaza), Costa Mesa, CA 92626
J Zhou Oriental Cuisine – 2601 Park Ave Tustin, CA 92782
Honestly we have yet to find the one replacement place. They all have their positives and negatives. Let me know which places are your favorite!
