Who would've thought I'd find authentic Cantonese dim sum in Oregon?! I have to admit, I was pleasantly surprised!
Welcome to Excellent Cuisine! And let me tell you, they definitely lived up to their name!
If you've never experienced traditional Cantonese dim sum, you're in for a treat! When you arrive, let the staff know how many people are in your party, and they'll get you seated. Once you're settled, the fun begins!
This is traditional dim sum with carts rolling around the dining room, filled with all kinds of delicious goodies. You look, you point, you ask questions, and you pick whatever catches your eye! Don't know what something is? Just ask! That's part of the experience!
Since we speak Cantonese, ordering was pretty easy for us. We were able to communicate directly with the staff, request specific dishes, and even ask about the daily specials. Some items were brought right over from the carts, while others were specially prepared for us.
Now, let's talk about the FOOD!
We ordered quite a spread of traditional dim sum favorites, and I have to say, everything was delicious! Nothing stood out as mediocre. Every dish had flavor, and I was genuinely impressed with the quality.
One of my absolute favorites was the sticky rice wrapped in lotus leaves, also known as Lo Mai Gai. Oh my goodness, SO GOOD! There's something about unwrapping that fragrant leaf and getting to the delicious rice inside. Definitely one of my favorites from our visit!
Our table was filled with all sorts of Cantonese goodies, from dumplings and steamed dishes to savory bites and sweet treats. We certainly didn't leave hungry! LOL!
The restaurant itself was bustling with activity. The dining room was packed, carts were moving around, and the staff was constantly on the go.
Speaking of service, everyone we interacted with was friendly and helpful. Just be prepared to flag someone down if you need something. They're moving around like crazy trying to take care of everyone! A little patience goes a long way here.
What impressed me most was how authentic the experience felt. From the traditional cart service to being able to order in Cantonese, it reminded me of the dim sum experiences I've enjoyed over the years.
If you're new to dim sum, don't be intimidated! Come hungry, bring some friends or family, and be adventurous. Half the fun is trying a little bit of everything!
I honestly wasn't expecting to find such good, authentic Cantonese dim sum while visiting Oregon, but Excellent Cuisine proved me wrong!
Great food, friendly staff, and a wonderful traditional dim sum experience.
Would I come back? IN A HEARTBEAT! And you better believe I'm ordering that lotus leaf sticky rice again! LOL! read more