Dim Sum in Menlo Park? Uhh I must try because the next closest dim sum place is in Mountain View! An authentic dim sum place close to Stanford is MUCH NEEDED.
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F O O D
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Food and flavors are authentic, nothing that screams unique or special. But solid standard dim sum. If you need authentic dim sum fast in Palo Alto. Go here.
{ Har Gow - 4 pieces - $6.25 }
Classic flavor, stayed true to authentic flavor profile.
{ Shui Mai - 4 pieces - $5.25 }
Ditto the Har Gow. LOL.
{ Shrimp Rice Crepe Rolls - $6.25 }
Large whole pieces of shrimp, crepe was well made. Some people like it thick, some people like it thin. I thought this one was in between, not too thick, not too thin.
{ Dried Scallop & Meat Sticky Rice Lotus Leaf Wrap - 2 pieces - $6.25 }
I wish this had more meat, it seemed a little flat. Usually these have more height and more square and densely packed. This seemed a little more loose and flat. Still delicious just wish it had more!
{ Preserved Duck Egg and Meat Congee - $10 }
This was a decent portion! Came in what seemed like a large ramen bowl. Really filling! The meat was flavorful, generous portion of preserved duck egg. But the duck egg was less creamy than what I'm used to. Still delicious, but the yolk was a little more solid than usual.
{ Egg Custard Tarts - 3 pieces - $3 }
Small, but delicious! I love that these come out HOT. The custard was delicate and creamy.
{ Golden Egg Yolk Lava Bun - 3 pieces - $5.25 }
Oozy. FYI these are steamed and don't have the pineapple topping. I liked that the white bread was not too sweet. I wish there was more filling and more liquid. But this was decent.
They offer a 3 piece Durian Puffs for $9.25! But that's a bit expensive. Next time!
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S E R V I C E
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You must sign in with your name and number and then you will be seated.
No carts! You mark your orders on a paper menu and then they bring you your dishes as they are ready. I think this is the way to go especially COVID. The carts can be a special and novel experience, but it is noisy and stressful for your poor canto friend that has to order everything. (*cough cough* I'm that canto friend... it is stressful!) Ordering off a menu made this dim sum experience peaceful, it was quiet and calm and safe. No talking over food. No yelling. No confusion. Peaceful. Ahhhhh... so nice.
Service was TOP NOTCH. They were fast, no non-sense, very responsive to hand waves/gestures.
Our Shui Mai did not come out and when we ordered dessert we realized it didn't come. After we ordered dessert, we mentioned it to the waiter and he immediately put in the order. No questions asked. No skeptical looks. No doubt. This is how customer service should be.
These servers speak English and Cantonese fluently, so no need to drag your Canto friend to come and order for you. Also you know this place is probably legit/authentic when the servers speak Canto!
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A M B I A N C E
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Indoor dining: There are two rooms and a bar. We were in a long and narrow room with circular windows only one of the shorter sides. The narrowness and circular windows made me feel like I was in a cruise ship hahah. Regardless, it felt spacious. We were well distanced from the closest customers. I felt safe.
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O V E R A L L
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$60 + Tip for two people. It is on the pricey side, but for decent authentic dim sum. I gotta support my people. Yum Cha Palace... please be here to stay!! read more