dim sum in dublin

Apologies for my absence over the past couple of weeks due to christmas and a vicious cold. In case you are unfamiliar with the term Dim Sum is the Chinese art of small dishes usually served in the early or middle part of the day with lots of green tea - tapas with tea if you like. Most dim sum restaurants only serve their dim sum menu until around 6pm or so.

I had dim sum in the New Millenium beside the Gaiety on South King Street recently and it was as good as always. The NM is the most hard core of the dim sum restaurants in the city and alongside the usual won tons and deep fried squid you will find fish maw (a fish's swim bladder), chicken feet dishes and a variety of offal including tripe. You dont have to try any of these outré dishes but seeing them on a menu is reassuring as you know the dim sum menu is not dumbing down for pussy westerners. I visited between christmas and new year and among the thirty or so full tables there were only two containing Irish people - another encouraging sign. Go for char siu cheung fun (gelatinous rice noodle rolled around roast pork), squid dishes , steamed pork buns, etc.

Others to try -
Imperial on Wicklow Street - the most conventional and westernised but still very good. Particularly good to try first so you can learn what you like and dont like as they have a large selection of fried dishes and spring rolls etc.

Good World on Sth Gt. Georges St. - similar to above but the last time I was there I felt it has slipped a bit. admittedly I havent been back in over 18 months so it might be worth trying again.

Ming Court Blanchardstown Shopping Centre (beside McDonalds and above the Xtravision). - sounds unlikely but this is the best in the city for my money with very friendly staff and fantastic steamed and fried dishes. The menu also has some more unusual dishes to try that will appeal to the western palate - e.g. fun quoi - a shrimp filled deep fried delight. well worth a pilgrimage.