Best Dim Sum in Austin Pan-fried chicken buns at New Fortune Chinese Seafood Restaurant (Credit: Andrew Bennett Photography)
Austin is known for world-renowned BBQ and tacos on demand. But if you explore deeper, you’ll find a wealth of what has been translated “touch of heart,” more commonly known as dim sum.
This bite-sized cuisine originated with the Cantonese in South China and can be enjoyed day or night as a snack or during a traditional brunch. Want to get your hands on “sum”? Check out a few of my favorite dim sum locations in Austin!
1/ Wu Chow
Shrimp steaming dumplings (left) and Shanghai soup dumplings (right) at Wu Chow in Austin
Wu Chow offers a modern take on Chinese food, while still providing a traditional dim sum service during weekend brunch. Much like our bellies, Wu Chow’s dining space will fill up. They suggest you call ahead to make a reservation.
500 West St. – Website
2/ New Fortune Chinese Seafood Restaurant
Dim sum spread: crystal shrimp dumplings, shrimp and pork dumplings, scallop dumplings. steam pork buns, meat turnover, pan-fried chicken buns, broccoli (Credit: Andrew Bennett Photography)
New Fortune Chinese Seafood Restaurant is the spot for an all-encompassing Chinese dim sum experience. During brunch on the weekends, they offer cart service with an seemingly endless supply of dim sum. They’ve also got your night cravings covered with “Night Time Dum Sum” on most days of the week from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. It’s authentic and the staff is beyond friendly.
10901 N. Lamar Blvd., Ste. A-1 – Website
3/ Street
Shrimp har gow and dipping sauce (left), and grilled escolar brochette at Street
Austin’s Chinatown has been a local favorite for years. The owner, Ronald Cheng, recently opened a new take on Asian street food, appropriately named Street. The menu was inspired by Cheng’s extensive travels throughout Southeast Asia. His dim sum is freshly prepared every morning by a master chef from San Francisco. If you’re lucky to be there between 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Saturday or Sunday, you’ll be able to enjoy a full menu of it!
3407 Greystone Dr. (located below Chinatown North) – Website
4/ Dragon Delights
Dragon Delights dim sum food trailer
Dragon Delights is a dim sum food trailer currently located on East Riverside. Here you can have an aloe vera pineapple drink accompanied by a plate of pork strips with pickled Napa cabbage and potato noodles. It’s magical.
1919 E. Riverside Dr. – Website
Go explore your dumpling desires! It’s well worth the experience.
And if you want to expand beyond dim sum, check out 10 Best Chinese Restaurants in Austin!
