Our newest love isn’t your usual high profile cafe or restaurant in Sydney but none other than a small and easily missable (no disrespect intended) Dim Sum Bar located in Haymarket in Sydney’s Chinatown.
Every time we’ve gone to Chinatown in search of good Yum Cha we’ve always seemed to come up short and walk out unimpressed. Could it be that we don’t really know what to order, the waitstaff seeming to struggle with their English, or as we’re in Chinatown the fact that we can’t speak Chinese? Maybe a little bit of all these things but most likely we don’t know what we’re doing 🙂
I’ve quite honestly found it a frustrating search for good service and good dim sum (yum cha) in Sydney up until recently with this new find, The Dim Sum Bar and a previous find Zilver Restaurant. (I’ve recently added Sky Phoenix to our list of Yum Cha Restaurants in Sydney to try and excited to give it a shot).
We had a walk around Dixon Street Haymarket one sunny Saturday when we came across The Dim Sum Bar which turned out to be a fantastic find. We’ve been there three times in the last 2 months and no doubt will frequent it more in the future. As you can see it’s not much to look at but that’s what I actually enjoy…….coming across your unusual, small hole-in-the-wall type restaurants similar to the small street type restaurants I’m accustomed to in Thailand.
Inexpensive, quick and really good yum cha is what The Dim Sum Bar is all about. We’ve never spent more than $30 for myself and Mrs Spicy to eat here including hot tea and drinks which makes this place a really good deal, on top of that I find their yum cha quite good, juicy and great flavour. Coming from a Caucasian background in the Northern suburbs of Sydney, we didn’t grow up eating Chinese on a regular basis, more as a special treat every couple of months or for a Birthday celebration and it never included yum cha.
Mrs Spicy likes their Chicken feet as she prefers them steamed instead of deep fried and these steamed chicken feet come with a spicy sauce…..WINNING! 🙂 I have to say the Xiang Longbao is one of the best I’ve had so far in Sydney and considering they run specials from time to time of 3 for $1 (usually $4.80), you really can’t complain. Nice and fluffy noodle shell with a tender yet chewy inner with the delicious sluuuuuuurp from the chicken broth we all wait for. I ordered 3 sets……fatty!
An added bonus that Mrs Spicy and I always chuckle about is one of the waiters looks just like Jet Li in his younger days; small things amuse small minds I guess. I’m really happy we found this Dim Sum Bar and no doubt it will continually be on our list of places to go, especially as it’s such a quick and cheap place to eat.
So tell me dear reader, where is your favourite quick dine-and-dash eatery that isn’t considered “junk food”?
Photos by Trent Carpenter
After running the city2surf, we were looking forward to a big meal at this restaurant. Unfortunately, it wasn’t there anymore, replaced by a new Thai restaurant. Do you know if they have moved?
Hi Jeff, I had no idea and really disappointed to hear that. I’ll let you know if I come across them moving.
A big loss for inexpensive and fast yum cha in Sydney if they havent.
Damn those dim sum look fantastic! Always on the lookout for a quick and tasty yum cha place for my fix, so will be hitting this place up!
oh man! you’ve got my yum cha cravings going off again
I’m lucky I don’t have many near yum cha spots my home as I’d stop in every day. I love it Shanshan 🙂
WOAH! Right in the middle of China Town, that’s fantastic. Really keen to try their specials 😀
Vanny @ Nessy Eater recently posted…Buns & Balls – A Cheeky Burger Buzz
They’re so good and quick Vanny and when they have the $1 Xiang Longbao I stock up lol
Looks like really good value. Love hole in the wall places like this – they always seem to have the best food!
They so do Christine, where’s your favourite hole-in-the-wall eatery in Sydney?
im keen to try out this place! an alternative to your traditional yum cha!
Let me know how you get on and what you think of it
Sadly never order xiao long baos at yumcha! They usually lack the broth/soup inside the dumpling but keen to try this place after your review!
Julie recently posted…I Dream in Chocolate turns 6 & Crying Tiger Recipe
It can be a challenge Julie and I’ve found the same as you at many a yum cha.
Just be gentle with the little things so they don’t burst getting them out of the bamboo basket as I’ve popped many 🙁
Hey this looks good, I haven’t even heard of this yum cha place. Ok, it’s on the list now…
thang@noodlies recently posted…Top 10 budget restaurants in Sydney, The Guardian
It’s definitely worth the visit at least once Thang and if you go when they have their Xiao Longbao on special, it really is an inexpensive lunch.