Dim Sum Guy

Delightful Cantonese Cuisine is Closing

2009-03-08T14:00:00.000-04:00

Delightful Cantonese Cuisine in Kitchener on Victoria Street is closing for good tomorrow (March 9th, 2009). Today is the last day they will be open (I went there for Dim Sum today and that's how I found out).

I have always enjoyed the food and the service there, but I guess I will have to look elsewhere for authentic Cantonese dishes and Dim Sum from now on. I wish the folks who work there all the best.

New Cantonese Restaurant in Kitchener

2008-07-01T17:00:00.000-04:00

A new Chinese restaurant, serving Dim Sum 7 days a week, is now open in Kitchener as of the middle of June 2008. The food there is great and the the Dim Sum is excellent, with more of a Hong Kong/Cantonese style than Cameron. People who know me know that I am a traditionalist when it comes to Dim Sum, and the Hong Kong/Cantonese style Dim Sum is what I prefer, and I like the fact that there are no line-ups or severs trying to hurry us out the door.

Traditional Dim Sum favourites "Har Gow" (Crystal Shrimp Dumplings) and "Siu Mai" (Pork and Shrimp Dumplings) are excellent, as are your standard Spring Rolls and Rice Noodle Rolls. The Pan Fried Pork Dumplings are huge and have a yummy filling. Dishes are expertly prepared, and they have the touch of a true professional Dim Sum chef.

This restaurant also has a regular lunch and dinner menu with standard Cantonese dishes as well. I have tried a few (including the Beef Fried Flat Noodle and Cantonese Chow Mein) and they are excellent. Other specialities include the Soya Sauce Chicken and Fish Sauce Chicken, which are traditional to Cantonese cuisine.

I've gone to the place a number of times now with friends and family and we have found the quality of the food to be consistently well done. I have recommended all my friends to go there. I think that you would enjoy it as well.

The restaurant is called Delicious Cantonese Cuisine, and they are located at 869 Victoria Street North, between the Expressway and River Road. 519-749-8868. They are open 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. seven days a Week (Dim Sum, however, is only between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. each day). I highly recommend it.

Vincent Pau
Dim Sum Guy

Please note: I don't own or work for Delicious Cantonese Cuisine, I just like to eat there.

Closed: Risley Chinese Restaurant

2007-03-31T09:00:00.000-04:00

I am sorry to say that Risely Chinese Restaurant in Cambridge is now closed. I'm certainly going to miss the place... I wish Jackie, Shirley and their son Risley the best of luck in their future endeavours.

Vincent Pau
Dim Sum Guy

Restaurant Review

2005-11-11T09:00:00.001-05:00

A review of my favourite restaurant has been published yesterday in the Kitchener-Waterloo Record. The address of the review is at http://www.therecord.com/entertainment/dining/dining_316.html on the Web.

I am a regular customer of Risley's and I love the food. However, don't just take my word for it, read the review and go and give it a try!

Steamed Peanut Balls with Coconut

2005-07-17T09:00:00.000-04:00

Steamed Peanut Balls with Coconut

A soft ball of rice flour is stuffed with a sweet peanut-based filling and steamed. The rice flour is then covered with dried coconut.

Hot Peanut Sauce with Pork Dumplings

2005-07-16T09:00:00.000-04:00

Hot Peanut Sauce with Pork Dumplings

Pork Dumplings are steamed, then they are placed in a wok with the Hot Peanut Sauce where they are lightly fried. The dumplings are served with scallions or green onions on top.

Beef Ribs with Black Pepper Sauce

2005-07-15T09:00:00.000-04:00

Beef Ribs with Black Pepper Sauce

The small Beef Ribs are a perfect match for the spicy and salty Black Pepper sauce in this dish. This dish is also served in the traditional bamboo steamer.

Pork Tripe with Black Pepper Sauce

2005-07-14T09:00:00.000-04:00

Pork Tripe with Black Pepper Sauce

The spicy and salty Black Pepper sauce complements the subtle flavour of the Pork Stomach (Tripe) in this dish. This dish is normally served in the traditional bamboo steamer.

Deep Fried Sweet Milk Bun

2005-07-13T09:00:00.000-04:00

Deep Fried Sweet Milk Bun

A strip of dough is rolled around into a tight bun with scallions or green onions. The buns are then fried until they are golden brown on the outside. The buns are served with Sweetened Condensed Milk for dipping.

Green Onion Cantonese Donut

2005-07-12T09:00:00.000-04:00

Green Onion Cantonese Donut

Scallions or Green Onion are chopped and mixed into the Cantonese Donut dough and turned into a round disc. The dough is then fried until it is golden brown on the outside and sectioned for easy sharing.

Steamed Octopus with Curry Sauce

2005-07-11T09:00:00.000-04:00

Steamed Octopus with Curry Sauce

The strong flavour of the octopus is complemented by the spicy taste of the curry for a unique seafood dish. This dish is served in the traditional bamboo steamer.

Steamed Bean Curd Roll with Pork and Shrimp

2005-07-10T09:00:00.000-04:00

Steamed Bean Curd Roll with Pork and Shrimp

Another favourite Cantonese Dim Sum dish, the bean curd is wrapped around a tasty pork and shrimp filling, then the result is steamed to perfection in a bamboo steamer.

Pan Fried Pork Dumpling

2005-07-09T09:00:00.000-04:00

Pan Fried Pork Dumpling

These yummy pork dumplings, which are also known as “pot stickers” in Chinese, are enjoyed the world over for Dim Sum. This dish also makes for a tasty light snack anytime of the day or night.

Pan Fried Pork Bun (Shanghai Style)

2005-07-08T09:00:00.000-04:00

Pan Fried Pork Bun (Shanghai Style)

This dish is similar to the Steamed Pork Buns (Shanghai Style) and is pan fried to a golden brown and not steamed. The wrapper is gathered up in folds to a point at the top, which is unique to this style of dumpling.

Steamed Pork Bun (Shanghai Style)

2005-07-07T09:00:00.000-04:00

Steamed Pork Bun (Shanghai Style)

These dumplings are very juicy inside and can be recognized by the way the wrapper is gathered up in folds to a point at the top before steaming in the bamboo steamer. The name of this dish translates roughly to “small dragon buns” in Chinese.

Pan Fried Vegetable, Pork and Shrimp Dumplings (Siu Mai)

2005-07-06T09:00:00.000-04:00

Pan Fried Vegetable, Pork and Shrimp Dumplings (Siu Mai)

A variation on the traditional steamed Siu Mai, these tasty dumplings have chives to give extra flavour to the dish. These dumplings are then fried to a crispy golden brown.

Steamed Chinese Greens with Oyster Sauce

2005-07-05T21:00:00.000-04:00

Steamed Chinese Greens with Oyster Sauce

A full portion of Chinese greens steamed to perfection and served with oyster sauce to complement the flavour.

Mixed Seafood and Meat Fried Rice in Lotus Leaf

2005-07-04T09:00:00.000-04:00

Mixed Seafood and Meat Fried Rice in Lotus Leaf

A special mixture of shrimp, scallop and squid, with chicken and Chinese sausage in fried sticky rice, wrapped in a lotus leaf and steamed for extra layers of flavour. This dish also makes an excellent light lunch.

Deep Fried Crab Claws with Shrimp Mousse

2005-07-03T09:00:00.000-04:00

Deep Fried Crab Claws with Shrimp Mousse

These crab claws are covered with a special shrimp mousse and lightly battered. The crab claws are then deep fried to a crispy golden brown on the outside. This dish also makes for a nice snack.

Preserved Egg and Pork Congee

2005-07-02T09:00:00.000-04:00

Preserved Egg and Pork Congee

The flavour of the salty preserved egg is matched by the savoury taste of pork. Congee is a rice porridge or rice soup and is a traditional Dim Sum dish.

Deep Fried Pork Dumplings

2005-07-01T09:00:00.000-04:00

Deep Fried Pork Dumplings

These deep fried dumplings have a soft, chewy layer on the outside and a savoury minced pork filling on the inside. This dish also makes for a nice snack.

Deep Fried Bean Curd Shrimp Roll

2005-06-30T09:00:00.000-04:00

Deep Fried Bean Curd Shrimp Roll

Another great starter dish, the deep-fried bean curd shrimp roll has lots of shrimp inside and a bean curd wrapping on the outside.

Deep Fried Shrimp Roll

2005-06-29T09:00:00.000-04:00

Deep Fried Shrimp Roll

A great starter dish, the deep-fried Shrimp Roll has lots of shrimp inside and a very light coating on the outside. This dish is an excellent alternative to Spring Rolls for those who enjoy seafood courses.

Deep Fried Spring Roll with Pork and Taro

2005-06-28T09:00:00.000-04:00

Deep Fried Spring Roll with Pork and Taro

These crispy deep-fried spring roll will make you forget about Egg Rolls! Taro and Pork filling is the traditional Cantonese style of preparation for Spring Roll. Taro is like a potato, and has a similar texture.

Sticky Rice with Pork Wrapped in Lotus Leaves

2005-06-27T09:00:00.000-04:00

Sticky Rice with Pork Wrapped in Lotus Leaves

A traditional mixture of glutinous rice, pork and other ingredients is steamed inside a Lotus Leaf for extra flavour, resulting in a unique taste. This dish is an excellent choice for a quick light lunch.

Steamed Seafood Dumpling with Chive

2005-06-26T09:00:00.000-04:00

Steamed Seafood Dumpling with Chive

A crystalline dumpling wrapper encloses a seafood and chive filling and steamed in a bamboo steamer. This yummy steamed dish is another Dim Sum favourite.

Pan Fried Turnip Cake

2005-06-25T09:00:00.000-04:00

Pan Fried Turnip Cake

This dish is made with a puree of white turnip, with dried shrimp and Chinese sausage inside. This turnip puree is then pan fried to a golden brown and is soft on the inside.

Steamed Rice Noodle Roll with Chinese Donut Sticks

2005-06-24T09:00:00.000-04:00

Steamed Rice Noodle Roll with Chinese Donut Sticks

A large rice noodle is steamed then wrapped around a Chinese Donut Stick. This dish is served with your choice of two sauces, a sweet Hoisin sauce and a special soya sauce mixture.

Chinese Donut Stick with Plain Congee

2005-06-23T09:00:00.000-04:00

Chinese Donut Stick with Plain Congee

Congee is a rice porridge or rice soup. Congee is a popular breakfast dish and as a late night snack in Cantonese cuisine. The Chinese Donut Stick is deep fried (not sweet) and is meant to be eaten with the plain congee.

Peanut and Preserved Lo-Park with Plain Congee

2005-06-22T21:00:00.000-04:00

Peanut and Preserved Lo-Park with Plain Congee

Congee is a rice porridge or rice soup. Congee is a popular breakfast dish and as a late night snack in Cantonese cuisine. Preserved Lo Park is a pickled Chinese "white carrot" and is meant to be eaten with the plain congee.

Deep Fried Sesame Balls with Lotus Paste

2005-06-21T09:00:00.000-04:00

Deep Fried Sesame Balls with Lotus Paste

These may have sesame on the outside, but on the inside is a rich and sweet Lotus Paste filling that makes this an excellent dessert. This dish also makes for a nice snack.

Steamed Egg Paste Bun

2005-06-20T09:00:00.000-04:00

Steamed Egg Paste Bun

Similar to the Steamed Lotus Paste Bun, with a sweet Egg Paste filling inside. Don't forget to remove the paper liner before eating!

Steamed Lotus Paste Bun

2005-06-19T09:00:00.000-04:00

Steamed Lotus Paste Bun

The light wheat flour bun is filled with a sticky and sweet Lotus Seed Paste filling that is exquisitely rich. Makes an excellent dessert for brunch!

Honey Comb Tripe with Satay Sauce

2005-06-18T09:00:00.000-04:00

Honey Comb Tripe with Satay Sauce

Some may not find it very invting, but the spicy and salty Satay sauce imparts a great deal of flavour to the honey comb tripe.

Deep Fried Squid Tentacles

2005-06-17T09:00:00.000-04:00

Deep Fried Squid Tentacles

Lightly coated calamari is deep fried until it’s crispy on the outside and just slightly chewy on the inside. This dish is also a favourite of many for Dim Sum.

Steamed Dumpling with Minced Pork and Peanuts

2005-06-16T09:00:00.000-04:00

Steamed Dumpling with Minced Pork and Peanuts

The Chinese name of this dish refers to Chiu Chow, the area of China where the dish originates from. These delicious crystalline dumplings have a filling includes pork and peanuts as well as chives.

Steamed Beef Tripe with Ginger and Green Onion

2005-06-15T09:00:00.000-04:00

Steamed Beef Tripe with Ginger and Green Onion

The Beef Tripe is braised with a special sauce until it is very flavourful. This traditional dish is served steamed in a wooden bamboo steamer.

Steamed Pork Ribs with Black Bean Sauce

2005-06-14T09:00:00.000-04:00

Steamed Pork Ribs with Black Bean Sauce

Bite-sized pork rib pieces are braised in a tasty black bean sauce and steamed. Bite sized pieces makes it easy to pick up with chopsticks. Try this dish alone or with white rice.

Steamed Beef Balls

2005-06-13T09:00:00.000-04:00

Steamed Beef Balls

There’s no tomato sauce here! These Beef Balls are served steamed to perfection with a bean curd base. This Dim Sum dish is traditionally served with Worcestershire sauce to accent the natural beef flavour.

Steamed BBQ Pork Bun

2005-06-12T09:00:00.000-04:00

Steamed BBQ Pork Bun

These steamed buns are made with a light wheat flour and are served traditionally served in a bamboo steamer. The sweet BBQ Pork filling is an excellent complement to the plain flour bun. Don’t forget to remove the paper liner on the bottom before eating!

Steamed Chicken Feet with Black Bean Sauce

2005-06-11T09:00:00.000-04:00

Steamed Chicken Feet with Black Bean Sauce

A traditional Dim Sum dish, the chicken feet are full of flavour and have a red-orange colour. The Chinese name for this dish translates to “Phoenix Claws” (really).

Pan Fried Stuffed Eggplant with Shrimp

2005-06-10T09:00:00.000-04:00

Pan Fried Stuffed Eggplant with Shrimp

Our favourite aubergine vegetable is stuffed with a shrimp filling, then lightly fried to seal in the flavour. A yummy way to enjoy eggplant!

Siu Mai (Minced Pork and Shrimp)

2005-06-09T09:00:00.000-04:00

Siu Mai (Minced Pork and Shrimp)

A mouth-watering blend of minced pork and shrimp partially enclosed in a light bean curd wrapper. This dish is available steamed (which is the traditional way it is served) or pan fried with chives.

Crystal Shrimp Dumpling "Har Gow"

2005-06-08T09:00:00.000-04:00

Crystal Shrimp Dumpling "Har Gow"

A delicate crystalline dumpling wrapper encloses a tasty shrimp filling. This steamed dish, is a perennial Dim Sum favourite. Many Dim Sum dishes are served in bamboo steamers like this one.

Shrimp Rice Noodle Roll

2005-06-07T09:00:00.000-04:00

Shrimp Rice Noodle Roll

A large rice noodle is wrapped around bite-sized fresh shrimp and steamed. This dish is also available with Minced Beef, B.B.Q. Pork or Shredded Chicken and Vegetables. This traditional Dim Sum dish is served with a special soya sauce mixture.

What is Dim Sum?

2005-06-06T09:00:00.000-04:00

Many People have asked me: So just what is Dim Sum?

Dim Sum is a traditional Chinese brunch that consists entirely of appetizer-like dishes. Portions tend to be bite-sized and made easy for eating with chopsticks. Popular Chinese dishes include Crystal Shrimp Dumpling (Har Gow), Pork and Shrimp Dumpling (Siu Mai), and my personal favourite, Shrimp Rice Noodle Rolls.

In the past, Dim Sum was served normally on rolling carts that would move from table to table with a variety of items. This doesn't work so well if you are interested in a particular dish and it is not available at the time that you arrive. Today, it is more popular to order what you want from a menu and then the dish is prepared for your table as soon as it is ordrered, ensuring promptness, freshness, and proper food temperature. Also, since you tend to order those dishes that you want to try, and how many of each dish, you have more control over your dining experience.

Dim Sum is normally a very social occasion for Chinese people. Most Chinese like to have Dim Sum in large groups to maximize the number and variety of dishes, and I think this approach makes a lot of sense. Nothing beats bringing family and friends together for a great meal!

Finally, since Dim Sum dishes are usually quite rich, these dishes are normally consumed with large amounts of Chinese tea. It is widely believed that not only will the tea work to counteract the richness of the dishes, it will also aid in digestion, and I would wholeheartedly agree.

Over the next while, I hope to use this blog to write about Dim Sum dishes and describe them in some detail so that hopefully you will be able to gain a better understanding of Dim Sum dishes that are available.