With the Chinese community spread across communities in Seattle, Bellevue and Redmond, the area’s dim sum scene is characterized by its breadth. » Read more: Our Ultimate Dim Sum Menu Guide with Pictures and Translations Today, this original Chinatown adjacent to downtown has evolved into the pan-Asian International District, while the Chinese community has scattered throughout the greater Seattle metropolitan area. Subject to violent discrimination during the 1880s, the local Chinese community only firmly took root around King Street in the early 1900s. It would be a mistake, however, to dismiss the Emerald City entirely in favor of its Canadian neighbor, as several above average dim sum options exist across the Seattle area for those who don’t wish to journey north of the American border.Ĭhinese immigrants first came to Seattle in the 1850s, when jobs in mining and fishing drew laborers to the Pacific Northwest. Most everything is pork or shrimp - okay that is an exageration, but pretty close to the truth! Chronicle Books puts out a little book that is very helpful, especially for conversing with the women pushing the carts, as it has pictures, common american names and description, phonetic pronunciation of the chinese names, and the chinese spelling.The best dim sum in Seattle, the old joke goes, is found 150 miles north in Vancouver. You can also order off of the regular menu, which is a good way to supplement your meal if you don't find the carts compelling. The person pushing the cart should open all the tops on the containers that she thinks may interest you - you may never know the names. To answer your earlier question about ordering, they'll just bring carts of food around and you can point and smile if you find you're having a language barrier. They have a parking lot (big plus) and the decorating is much nicer than the other two restaurants.
Although I don't tend to go there much myself, I've found House of Hong very convenient and easy. Any would be good choices for you and your Mom. The other two places I mentioned are also in that part of town, China Gate and House of Hong. I forgot about Honey Court, that is a good choice, too.
No problem, you can find decent Dim Sum in the ID. All this is making me homesick for Yank Sing back in San Francisco
I'd sooner go to House of Hong, China Gate, Noble Court or Top Gun in Bellevue -because at Imperial Garden, I'm still waiting in hope of steamed lobster dumplings, garnished with fish roe, and small crocks of exotic seafood soup with shark's fin. from the front door), anything on the carts except maybe sui mai and char sui bao will be gone by the time the carts reach you. Definetely don't sit in the back right corner (looking into the rest. Only one cart at any given time and occasionally someone walking around with a tray. There not only isn't much selection at lunch time, there isn't much food. The food we could get was decently prepared, there isn't much that is unusual or much better than even the most mundane place in the ID.
It used to be great and occasionally (but not at lunch) is still quite good, but overall I'd say the haven't been able to keep up with the crowds and they've fallen off quite a bit. I have to say, not the best or even in the running for the best I've had, even in Seattle. I was there last week with a group from work. I work in Kent and go to Imperial Garden once a month or more.