Dim sum (late 2017): Best overall

Ok based on your parameters below, it’s Sea Harbour because …

Sea Harbour is definitely not cheap (not cheap like Top Island for example), but then while it’s on the expensive side it’s most definitely not super expensive.

Check. Sea Harbour.

And for what it’s worth, you should be against carts.

Sea Harbour has some of finest in originality. While not as avant garde like, say, Chef Tony’s in Vancouver, it offers some of the more interesting dim sum items in SoCal.

3 Likes

Can I get an ‘Amen’?

Sea Harbour it is! Any favorite must-order items?

The French style pork buns look good. Which dumplings are best?

Will do my very best to report back

They recently had a fish maw black fungus puff pastry that was delightful.

2 Likes

Went to Lunasia today. Started rough with a gross octopus appetizer, and baked pork buns that just weren’t good. But then quality turned up in a hurry with excellent pan fried turnip cakes, har gow, shiu mai, and steamed pork buns. Also a really good spinach dumpling thing.

And yet:

You had pickled radish and cucumbers. Those aren’t typical dim sum dishes. Those aren’t even dim sum dishes, typical or otherwise.

That’s what everyone meant about ordering more typical dishes and “staples” and the analogy to Lamgers.

Isn’t an original dish by definition not a classic dish?

And BBQ pork rice roll is a classic. Maybe people in LA just have lower standards for dim sum.

We had a very good meal at Sea Harbour. Tried several items.

The French pork buns were my favorite with their sweet crispy top and soft inner texture.

Chinese broccoli was fairly standard. Good.

Braised chicken feet were very good with a strong star anise flavor. Very tender and easily fell off the bone.

Har gau were quite good. Very freshly steamed when they arrived, no gumminess.

Shumai with the truffle topping was not that exciting for me. Aside from the truffle they sort of lacked flavor. Meh

Fried potato balls were filled with scallop and maybe some sort of cream cheese. They were really nicely fried and had a great texture but the filling was really bland. Maybe just lacked salt? Sort of like crab Rangoon but less good which is too bad because it could have been wonderful.

Shrimp rice noodle rolls were great. Very fresh shrimp.

Shrimp and chive translucent dumplings were also very strong

Steamed pork buns were good but not as good as he French baked ones.

Milk egg tarts were great–not too sweet and flaky pastry.

I think that’s about it! Estimated wait time at 10:55 was 35-45 minutes. Actual wait was 55 minutes. Service was fast once we sat down. I’d definitely return to this place in the future. Thanks all for suggestion! Total bill for enough food for 4 was $75 before tip.

Vamped

13 Likes

How is their construction coming along?

Thanks for the report.

For my money, Xian Yuan Gourmet is even better than Sea Harbour. Also, considerably less expensive. Be sure to try the salted egg bun, if you go.

1 Like

Ooh! Thanks for the opening to once again plug my LA Weekly article on Xian Yuan Gourmet. http://www.laweekly.com/restaurants/new-restaurant-xiang-yuan-gourmet-might-serve-las-best-dim-sum-8537046

4 Likes

You’re most welcome. Love your work…

1 Like

Awww crap missed this, totally underwhelmed by Sea Harbour couple weekends ago. LA’s dim sum scene needs some new blood. The best dim sum I had so far this year was at Ping Pang Pong (not a joke) in Vegas

1 Like

How do you think Xiang Yuan Gourmet compares with Vancouver places?

At the risk of going off regional. Was this before or after the new expansion? The last few years for March Madness, we’ve watched games at Gold Coast. For breakfast, I get dim sum takeout at PPP. I get some strange looks at the ball room while I’m chowing down on some bao’s and siu mai. But I don’t care since it’s so much better than the crappy breakfast burritos and pastries they sell inside the ball room.

Two visits to Xiang Yuan Gourmet not enough to make a final assessment, but I think I’ll stick with Chef Tony et al until proven otherwise.

It was my first time there(Aug), so likely post expansion.

1 Like

Wait whaaat… for real for real? i’m going to have to try this

Ping Pang Pong also has a pretty tasty dinner menu as well. They have a stone pot rice dish with pork belly and lap cheung that is really good. And they are open late.

2 Likes