My son has just moved to the Boston area with his family, and would love to know where to get the best dim sum.

Thanks in advance!

There is a famous place on the edge of Chinatown toward the Leather District

(by "leather district", I am referring to an area where tanneries, shoemakers, etc. used to be located--NOT a S&M area, so get your minds outta the gutter!!! )

I think the place is called "China Pearl", or something similar. It is supposed to have great Dim Sum, but I have never been there.

Has anyone out there been to this place? C'mon, locals! Let's help Ruth out.

I have been to good Dim Sum place in Chinatown (albeit 4 years ago) called The Imperial Seafood Company.

I'm also interested in hearing others' opinions about Boston dim sum.

What is dim sum?

Was just talking about Dim Sum! I consider them to be Chinese appetizers but nothing like what you usually see in Chinese restaurants. The most fun was a place in Montreal where that was mostly what was served. Little plates containing 4 portions of something interesting. Carts containing 2 or 3 differents dishes were constantly rolled around the dining room. You would take what you wanted if you liked the looks of it. (Who knows what is was!) Four of us greatly enjoyed trying lots of different things. If we didn't like something, so what, it was only a tiny portion. At the end of the meal, the host would come and count the number of plates to calculate your bill. It was pretty reasonable.
I would love to know if there is such a place in Boston. A few restaurants sell dim sum...but it is usually only one or two types and not as much fun.

Yes, dim sum is like Chinese appetizers, or if you're familiar with Spanish "Tapas", it's similar to that. There are many dim sum places in the Chinatown section of Boston, as I mentioned earlier.

My experience was similar to Donna's in Montrael. The waiters would cruise around the restaurant wheeling metal carts as if they were in the Indy 500. It is very entertaining to watch, and the service is great, because each cart has assortments of a different class of food ( one cart will have different types of shu mai, another might have potstickers, etc.), and you look in the cart, point at what you want, and you get to eat it right away--no waiting. If you find something you REALLY like, you can get another order of it the next time that cart rolls around.

And, the portion for each order is small, like Donna said--so you get to try lots of different things without spending too much money.

Wow, you're never too old to learn something; it sounds wonderful...

Hi Fodorites,

Here is the "official definition" of dim sum for those interested: A Hong Kong delicacy where various fillings of fish, pork, and vegetables are wrapped in fresh dough or translucent "skins" and steamed in bamboo steamers. What emerges is a delicate dumpling that can then be fried (when it's called a pot-sticker) or enjoyed as it is.

My daughter-in-law is Chinese, and will drive far and spend much to eat at a really good dim sum place. Of course, now my whole family loves dim sum! But you might want to ask what's in them - they really get exotic in some restaurants!

Thank you, Boss Ton. Will pass info on to my son in Boston!

Ruth, there are a number of restaurants in Chinatown (Boston) which serve dim sum. Unfortunately, I have a difficult time remembering their names. I know Dynasty, but it seems to have gone down hill the last time I was there. My favorite was "the one that used to be a theater" on Washington Street, but it burnt down this spring. There are two on Tylor St. I think, and one is China Pearl that Boss Ton mentioned. These two are probably the best at the moment.

Here's a word of advice...GO EARLY!!! We ususally try to arrive about 10am on Sundays and can get in right away. By the time we leave, the lines are down the stairs, out the door, down the block!

The more people who join in, the more selections you can pick. Prices seem to be at about the $5-$7 per person these days. In Boston they stamp your check, not count your plates like they do in NYC or Toronto. Then they count up at the end.

Sorry I'm not better with names of these places, but Chinatown in Boston is very small and you shouldn't have much trouble finding your own favorite dim sum place. It's wonderful. Have a great time. Oh, While you're in Chinatown, you can also visit the Chinese grocery shops to take home whatever supplies you need for home cooking. I'm sure your daughter-in-law will have her own favorites soon.

Thank you so much, Ann, for your response. I know my son & his little family have eaten dim sum twice in Chinatown there but I don't know where. But I'll definitely pass on your info! Thanks again!