When we talk about cuisines, 1 out of 3 people say they would opt for Chinese food and I haven't visited a reputed place until now. So much for being a food blogger. Bleh!
Stepping aside from the stereotypes, I planned to visit Chinatown to try out some authentic cuisines to satisfy my appetite. Well, most of the reputed states have a Chinatown of their own, but lets start it off with Houston (for now!).
Sichuan, Cantonese, Shandong or Jiangsu. Lots of cuisines to choose from at Chinatown and as you guys know, I am pretty bad on coming to terms with choosing one. But, I happened to hear a lot about this place which is known for serving some best Dim Sum in Houston. So, why not?
This is Golden Dim Sum Restaurant. Got around noon and this place was busy. I mean literally BUSY!
Look at the spacious hall covered with round dining tables cramped everywhere. The servers were skillful enough to squeeze in those gaps. I was waiting all the while thinking of how to cram my way through to the table while my name was summoned. Got the chance to prove myself in 40 minutes and Oh boy I din't disappoint!
Managed to get seated after bumping into few strangers. Ordered some of the recommendations and got the ball rolling straightaway.
They are Deep Fried Shrimp Balls. Looks like a nest, doesn't it? Well, those are dried taro along with minced shrimp as a stuffing for this fried delish. Neatly halved to let the fumes calm down, I took my time before munching my way through it. A perfect balance of fresh shrimp paired with fried batter which is not too greasy and topped with crispy, savory taro. This is a combination which is created for a sellout.
Taste: 8.5/10
Moving on,
It was Steamed Chicken Feet with Oyster Sauce. Served in a small steel container over a plate, these chicken feet are cooked in a mixture of peppers and oyster sauce which provides the perfect flavor to this no-brainer of a dish. The feet in general were perfectly accompanied by the traditional oyster sauce. The meat has a gelatinous texture along with the skin and is a taste that would be acquired over time. So, if you are looking to try new food and not get disappointed, then I would recommend this plate any day!
Taste: 8.5/10
I literally went through the phrase of "finger lickin' good!". Oh, my next dish awaits me.
These are Steamed Shangai Pork Dumplings. Stop peeping at the dishes looming over at the corners. They are up next, but lets move on with the dumplings. This was really the most appetizing a plate could get for a foodie like me. I was literally in awe of it. These dumplings are stuffed with chives, minced pork and finished off in a pork broth. Yes, you heard it right! They had soup filled in 'em. I popped one right into my mouth.
The best feeling and I am in no way exaggerating it. The soup which bursts into your mouth with flavors tingling my palate is a feeling that I cannot describe. The pork is so fresh and the chives paired with the spices is so simple and filling, that one could only fall in love with. Needless to say, these were/are the best soup dumplings I had.
Taste: 10/10
More to come,
These are Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings. Who doesn't like fried chicken and I am a sucker for these. This dish especially comes with a lightly battered chicken which is deep fried to precision. By that, I mean the chicken is not greasy at all and so tender and moist from the inside. As the name goes, the batter is mixed with salt and pepper but the wings are then grilled in a wok along with green onions and jalapenos. This is the real deal. Worth trying surely!
Taste: 9/10
Phew, then they come again.
These are Steamed Dry Shrimp Rice Rolls. This is work of art. The rolls are handmade and steamed to perfection. The rolls are infused with dry shrimp and green onions in my case and served alongside soy sauce. Went ahead and tried one. The first impression was that the rice roll was so soft and well cooked that it really was a treat. However, the dry shrimp is something that totally put me off. That flavor really was bad and I wouldn't recommend this dish with the particular meat option. You could dry other rice rolls which are sure to impress your palate. My choice was bad!
Taste: 5.5/10
So, then comes
The Fried Crab Claw with Shrimp Paste. Ah, the dish looks quite creative. The claw protruding out from the ball of fried delectable. The fried ball comes with a mixture of cooked shrimp paste surrounding the crab claw. Threw the chopsticks and caught ahold of the claw and in went the Popsicle. A good comeback I would say. The combination of two seafood specialties doesn't always have to be right, but the chef hit the chords well on this one. It was not bland and the spices were rightly balanced which gives the edge to this dish.
Taste: 9/10
Moving on to the last small plate of the day,
These are Egg Custard Tarts. I definitely wanted to try this one out. Why? Simply put, it has EGG!!
The tart shell was crispy and savory and the filling is totally egg with sugar. The yolk comprised with the whites which are whisked to a texture where it forms a custard and adding sugar to it, completes this dish. This plate was awesomely done. I loved the sweet and savory egg filling which complemented quite well with the tart shell. A dessert in its own words!
Taste: 9/10
Finally, I always wanted to try this one dish at a Dim Sum.
It's Peking Duck. Isn't it quite simple? Well, this authentic Beijing dish is a must try at places where I found myself today and I am not going to miss it for the world.
This dish comes with the roasted duck and served atop a bed of salad. The condiments comprise of baos, cucumbers, radish and celery stalks and spring onions served with Hoisin sauce. The protagonist however is the duck which is seasoned and then roasted in a traditional pit oven. That makes the skin crispy but the meat would be succulent enough to the last bite. Without wasting any time, I put small chunks of meat into my baos and paired it with the condiments (Make sure you go easy on the Hoisin!) and took the first bite into it.
Voila! This has to be the duck I have been in search of in my journey to the imperial world. Apart from the pun, I surely must say that this has to be the go-to dish for any foodie out there. The duck meat is ridiculously tasty and the condiments pair so freaking well. Pardon my dialect there, but it's just my excitement that led it that way.
Taste: 9.5/10
Overall, if you are in search for the best Dim Sum and you happened to be in Houston, then this place is a no-brainer.
Details
Golden Dim Sum Restaurant
10600 Bellaire Blvd Ste 105 Houston, TX 77072
(281) 495-1688
Overall
Taste: 8.5/10
Ambience: 6/10
Service: 8/10
Value For Money: 8.5/10
