Sesame shrimp mousse and eggplant at Jade DynastySesame shrimp mousse and eggplant at Jade Dynasty
Going for dimmed summarize ( aka yum cha ) is a democratic thing to do in Honolulu .
Dim sum at Tim Ho Wan – Waikiki
Dim sum at Tim Ho Wan – Waikiki We have dim kernel at least once a week. sometimes the whole extended kin goes and we get a large table for 12 ( more people means more variety ). sometimes I go with ma and dad. On weekdays, it ’ second merely grandma and myself .
Pineapple-stuffed black rice mochi at Tim Ho Wan – Waikiki
Pineapple-stuffed black rice mochi at Tim Ho Wan – Waikiki When we want black sum, we say “ let ’ s go yum cha. ” Yum cha is a yue phrase that translates to drink tea. Somehow that besides means dim sum .
On Tuesdays, I pick up grandma from her family. I ’ ll ask, “ yum cha, master of arts ? ” That means, let ’ s go yum cha, yeah ? Of path she ’ ll be like, yes !
Lotus leaf sticky rice at Tim Ho Wan – Waikiki
Lotus leaf awkward rice at Tim Ho Wan – Waikiki Below are the four main restaurants we like to visit. I ’ ve listed them in the order of which ones we visit most. Enjoy ^_^
Shrimp and chive buns at Jade Dynasty
Jade Dynasty Seafood Restaurant
Shrimp and chives buns at Jade Dynasty All the big dim total restaurants used to be located in Chinatown. But with Jade Dynasty in Ala Moana, it ’ mho nice to have a more commodious, easily to access ( and park ) localization at Ala Moana. Jade Dynasty meets at the ideal intersection of legit/authentic and accessible to people who might not have dim sum regularly .
Pros :
- Located in Ala Moana Shopping Center. Location is convenient (and you can go shopping or eat even more after). Parking is free and abundant.
- This is an ideal place for big family/friends gatherings and to bring visiting guests. Not only does Jade Dynasty “look good” when you bring people, it also tastes super good.
- This is also where my grandma prefers to meet her friends for lunch.
- Favorite dishes: monthly dim sum specials (always pictured at the front of the menu), chiu chow dumplings, baked snow mountain char siu buns, and pan-fried shrimp and chive buns.
Snow mountain char siu buns at Jade Dynasty
Snow batch char siu buns at Jade Dynasty Cons :
- Gets crazy crowded during peak lunch hours on the weekends.
- They have one cheong funn machine so sometimes cheong funn orders take super long (or they tell you it’s not available/backed up) on many occasions.
information : Jade Dynasty Seafood Restaurant | 1450 Ala Moana Blvd # 4220, Honolulu, HI 96814 | 808-947-8818 | jadedynastyhawaii.com
Saturday lunch at Tim Ho Wan – Waikiki
Tim Ho Wan – Waikiki
Saturday lunch at Tim Ho Wan – Waikiki The first Hawaii location of this celebrated blur sum chain from Hong Kong ( besides known as the world ’ s most low-cost Michelin-starred restaurant ). It ’ south located in Waikiki and has both indoor and outdoor seat ( I prefer indoor because outdoor can get humid ). Tim Ho Wan Waikiki is bright and blowy and one of the nicest dim sum spots in town .
Pros :
- Located in Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, right in the center of Waikiki. Free 2-hour parking with validation ($10 purchase minimum).
- Look out for the Hawaii-only special items. These include pan-fried black rice mochi filled with pineapple and steamed fish bundle with pineapple.
- Favorite dishes: bbq pork buns, steamed bean curd stuffed with shrimp, siu mai, and deep-fried eggplant with shrimp.
Eggplant with shrimp at Tim Ho Wan – Waikiki
eggplant with shrimp at Tim Ho Wan – Waikiki Cons :
- There are also Tim Ho Wan locations in Hong Kong, NYC, California, and many other places, so it feels less “special.”
- Slightly more pricey than all the other Honolulu dim sum options
information : Tim Ho Wan | 2233 Kalakaua Ave Suite B-303, Honolulu, HI 96815 | 808-888-6088 | timhowanusa.com
Friday lunch at Tai Pan Dim Sum
Tai Pan Dim Sum
Friday lunch at Tai Pan Dim Sum Tai Pan is a longtime local favored, and besides a very ideal descry for little groups and solo dim sum lunches. Located inside the Chinatown Cultural Plaza, Tai Pan is a moo key, dependable dim total ( and noodle soup ! ) restaurant .
Pros :
- This is our go-to for takeout and catering dim sum. Think large orders for office parties, birthday parties, potlucks, etc.
- Tai Pan has been around forever, and I still love it here solo for a big bowl of preserved egg and pork jook and ong choy with garlic. Sometimes I come with my dad, one bowl of beef brisket noodle soup each. It’s less chaotic than the other places.
- Favorite dishes: baked char siu bao, preserved egg jook, beef brisket noodles, and steamed lotus sticky rice
Cheong fun wrapped you tiao at Tai Pan Dim Sum
Cheong fun wrapped you tiao at Tai Pan Dim Sum Cons :
- The interior feels a bit worn down.
- Chinatown location not the most convenient. They have a validated parking garage, though it gets packed on weekends. Parking garage entrance is on Maunakea Street (between N Kukui Street and N Beretania Street). FYI: If you’re just going for pick-up/takeout, I always call my order in advance, park in the covered street level loading area and run in super fast to pick-up.
information : Tai Pan Dim Sum | 100 N Beretania St Honolulu, Hawaii 96817 | 808-599-8899
Lunch at Legend Seafood
Legend Seafood
lunch at Legend Seafood One of the originals, the fantastic classics of Honolulu dim union. They ’ ve got variety and quality going for them. Legend Seafood is the only restaurant on this list that rolls out all the dimmed total carts ( it gets reasonably angry on weekends ) .
Pros :
- The grandaddy of Honolulu dim sum. This is as traditional as it gets, complete with dim sum carts, stamp cards, organized chaos, and that energetic dim sum vibe that feels just right.
- Weekend late mornings capture the full essence of dim sum here. There are crowds of diners waiting outside for their numbers to be called, the giant dining room is packed (all that natural light is nice), and service is quick and efficient.
- Favorite dishes: steamed lotus sticky rice, pan-fried turnip cake, curried tendon, dan tat (especially when it comes super hot from the oven) and half-moon.
Read more: Easy Kung Pao Chicken Recipe
Dim sum at Legend Seafood
Dim sum at Legend Seafood Cons :
- We’ve known the owners since we were little kids. They recently sold the restaurant to new owners, and some say it’s not as good during dinner. But grandma says the dim sum is still as good as ever.
- Legend Seafood is located in the same plaza and Tai Pan, so same parking situation. Make sure you get your parking ticket validated.
information : Legend Seafood | 100 N Beretania St Honolulu, Hawaii 96817 | 808-532-1868 | legendseafoodhonolulu.com
