Dim Sum is a type of cuisine from China, something that I have grown up eating. I would usually go out with my parents and eat Dim Sum on the weekends. Dim Sum is sort of like tapas in that they are small dishes. The more traditional way, at least in my mind is that people sit at tables people with carts come by that have all the different types of food. You can pick whatever you like from the carts from steamed items to fried ones and sweets. From that that I have been to many places that say they serve dim sum, but it turns out to be something completely different from what I was use to seeing. They have the same items and the flavors are there, but the way its presented is different, also it has been a task to find dishes that are made the same way that I remembered them. Now I believe I have found a place in San Francisco that captures that tastes, and atmospheres from my childhood.
Some may already be aware of the place I’m talking about, its called Yank Sing and it is great example of good Dim Sum in San Francisco. Yank Sing has two locations, one at 49 Stevenson st. and the other at Rincon Center. I have only been to the place at Rincon Center. The location is really great, about three blocks from the Ferry Building and also Two blocks from the BART, so its pretty easy to get to. Another great thing is that they have free validated parking on the weekends with that seems to be no time limit. Its really nice to eat lunch their and then walk to the ferry building and check out the farmers market or the other ships on a Saturday morning/afternoon. When you get to the restaurant you really get this feeling of a upscale place, the is a large wait staff not including the staff pushing the carts along.
The food itself matched the high class feel of the place. It’s all well done (though it sometimes can be a bit oily), the tastes and flavors exceed what I remember from my childhood. Along with the more traditional fare one would expect to see at a Dim Sum place they also serve more eclectic mix of more traditional Chinese dinner food and some more unique inventions. For example they serve peeking duck and mu shu pork, two items not really though to be Dim Sum. They also serve bacon wrapped scallops too, something that is more of an American ingredient selection, but has an Asian flavor to it. Some of the highlights are the Char Sui Bao, which is one of the best I have ever eaten, stuffed mushrooms, shrimp dumplings, a shrimp and rice noodle roll with sweet soy sauce, and a dumpling with soup inside of it. There are also a lot more, a selection large enough that you’ll never be able to try everything in one sitting. The carts are little treasure chests filled with different surprises inside, and when one approaches one can feel the excitement as to what they’ll bring.
The one complaint I do have is that the carts are not very organized, or efficient. Sometimes the same cart would pass a couple times before a different appeared. This seems to depend on your seating, if you sit closer to the middle of the restaurant you’ll get the larger chance of seeing different items, while sitting next to the kitchen exit you’ll end up seeing less. It’s a contradiction I know, but its what seems to happen. Also be prepared to spend a lot of money, individual dishes run between 2-6 dollars depending on the ingredients, size, and preparation. This may seem like its a bit reasonable, but the problem lies in that there are no prices listed on the carts that come by so you just order whats on there. This becomes an even bigger problem since all the food looks so good and if someone wants to try everything. Its not uncommon to exceed $100.00 USD for just a lunch of two people, for groups of 4 or more, expect it. Even with the high price tag you’ll leave full and satisfied and hungry to come back for more.
