Dim Sum - Tasty Treats for Everyone!
Having lived in the Greater Vancouver Regional District for the last 20 years, I’ve had plenty of time to explore my surroundings but somehow I have managed to stay away from Richmond, BC. You could almost say “avoid!” Although, I’ve been told by friends and family, that Richmond has great Asian food. How did a foody like myself not seek out the unique Asian restaurants in Richmond?
It always seemed too far for me to go, really its only 20 minutes from downtown Vancouver. So, really not far at all! However, I would drive by Richmond to White Rock for dinner or to Whistler for a day of skiing – so my “too far” excuse didn’t really hold up under closer examination!
Recently, I started a new job in Richmond and decided that I have no more excuses! My co-workers opened my eyes, and now I finally understand what my friends and family have been telling me for years! The food really is amazing!
Dim sum like I have never tasted before and so many choices! Fisherman’s Terrace in Aberdeen Centre and the Gingeri in Landowne Centre are two of my favourites! I love the hustle and bustle of dim sum! You are surrounded by the sounds of clinking of chopsticks, slurping of tea, shouts of greetings and the crashing sounds of tables be cleared and set. So many people gathered together to enjoy a meal and bit of gossip! It’s always a mixed crowd of family or friends or business groups gathered together, all ages.
It’s been a wonderful to share the dim sum experience with my friends. A few are seasoned dim sum connoisseurs (because I dragged them kicking and screaming to go to dim sum with me many years ago) and others have never been. Among the many bamboo steamers and plates with metal lids are exotic smelling dumplings, noodles, pork spareribs, sticky rice and much more. Hidden within a rice wrapper dumpling is a tasty mixture of seafood or meat and spices. Haw Gow (shrimp dumplings), Sui Mai (pork dumplings), Haw Chung Fung (shrimp rice rolls), deep fried tofu with spicy sauce and even marinated spicy chicken feet – only for the adventurous! With the variety of dishes, there is something for everyone to try.
I also get to impress and amuse my friends with my ordering skills all done in “Chinglish”! My friend, Cathy was the one who dub my ½ Chinese, ½ English conversations, “Chinglish!” My friends think it hilarious since they can follow bits and pieces of my Chinese conversation. However, I am sure that my mother would be horrified if she knew! Being a Canadian born Chinese gal, I don’t get much opportunity to use my first language now that I am living away from my family. I’ve gotten a bit rusty but I am still able to order my favourites. Dim sum brings back memories of my childhood and good times that I have spent with friends and family!