My wife and I are big dim sum fans, and we don't take it lightly. When we lived in Hanover, Mai Dragon was our regular spot, and more recently we've been going to Peter Chang in Gaithersburg. So when we heard about Han Spot opening a couple of years ago--back when it was still under construction--we made a mental note to try it. Fast forward to today, we were walking around the RIO area for a casual Sunday brunch and figured, why not finally give it a shot.
In hindsight, we probably should have taken the hint when we walked in.
**Ambiance** - The space itself is actually one of the better parts of the experience. It has a modern, slightly traditional aesthetic, with a large open layout that looks like it could host events or large gatherings comfortably. But for a Sunday brunch hour, it was noticeably empty--almost too quiet. The kind of quiet where you start wondering if you missed something.
**Service** - From the moment we walked in, the tone was set--and not in a good way. No greeting, no smile, no "welcome in." Just a quick acknowledgment and "table for two." We were seated, and almost immediately asked if we were ready to order. This was our first visit, so we were still trying to understand the menu structure.
They offer two AYCE options: Option A ($28/person) and Option B ($38/person). At first glance, it sounds straightforward, but once you actually look at the menus, it becomes clear that Option A feels like a stripped-down version--mostly appetizers with very few substantial items. Option B includes everything from A plus more complete dishes, making it the obvious choice. It honestly feels less like two options and more like one real option and one placeholder. It begs the question--why not just offer a single, all-inclusive menu at $38?
We decided to try Option A anyway, just to see what it offered. That decision didn't age well.
Over the course of the meal, we had three different servers interacting with us, which led to constant confusion. Orders were mixed up, some items never arrived, and there was no real sense of coordination. At one point, we were just watching dishes go to other tables, wondering if ours had been rerouted somewhere along the way. We eventually had to flag someone down just to get the check.
And to top it off, there's an automatic 20% gratuity added to every bill--regardless of party size. That's typically something you see for larger groups, not a table of two. Given the level of service, it felt more like a penalty than a tip.
**Food** - We ordered a wide range of items hoping to get a good sense of the menu. What we got instead was inconsistency and, in many cases, food that tasted like it came straight out of a freezer.
* **Scallion Pancake** - Crispy, but overly greasy and barely any scallion flavor.
* **Soup Dumplings** - Lacked authenticity; tasted very much like store-bought. No richness, no depth.
* **Beef & Vegetable Dumplings (Gyoza-style)** - Extremely reminiscent of pre-packaged dumplings--something you'd expect from the frozen aisle.
* **Stuffed Crab Claw** - Surprisingly, the standout dish. Good portion and actually flavorful with a nice fried shrimp coating.
* **Five-Flavored Beef** - This one was confusing. It was essentially thin slices of beef, like what you'd see in pho, with what tasted like a single flavor--mostly watered-down soy sauce. The "five flavors" never showed up.
* **Shrimp & Pineapple Fried Rice** - This one almost felt unfinished. Two shrimp, a couple of pineapple chunks, barely any egg, and rice that didn't seem fried at all. No seasoning to speak of.
* **BBQ Pork Bun** - Soft and warm, with decent flavor, but again had that pre-made, reheated quality.
* **Shrimp Dumplings (Shumai)** - Never arrived. We asked twice, and at some point just gave up.
* **Lotus Wrapped Rice** - One of the few dishes that felt close to what you'd expect. Flavorful and familiar.
* **Purple Gold Yolk Bun** - Sweet and enjoyable, but clearly pre-packaged (served in a cupcake wrapper, which didn't help the presentation).
* **Taro Tapioca Dessert** - Watery and thin, lacking the creamy consistency you'd expect from a proper tapioca dessert.
I usually try to give restaurants the benefit of the doubt on a first visit--every place can have an off day. But this isn't a new restaurant anymore. It's been around for about two years, and what we experienced felt less like an off day and more like the standard.
Between the inconsistent service, the confusing menu structure, and the overall lack of food quality, this was not a place we'd return to. There are simply better options nearby.
If you're looking for solid dim sum in the area, Peter Chang in Gaithersburg is still the better choice--more authentic flavors, better execution, and a menu that doesn't feel like you have to "upgrade" just to get a proper meal. read more