Pair Dim Sum with Tea at Shanghai Dumpling King
The waiter brought out a kettle of tea, but Nancy Togami waved him back, asking for just plain hot water. Carefully, she used her thermometer to check the water temperature. One hundred and eighty degree Fahrenheit, too cool to steep the Baochong and Phoenix Honey that she brought. But Nancy brought her own water too, which measured close to 200 degrees, so we used her water instead. I’ve never brought my own tea to a restaurant, but it makes sense: people bring their own wine to restaurants, and when you have good teas, there’s no reason to refrain from pairing them with good food. The dim sum at Shanghai Dumpling King proved to be perfect experiment material.
Without Nancy, I probably would never have known of this hole in the wall way out on the west side of San Fran, and probably too lazy to get here because it’s not 2 blocks away from the BART and I’d doubt the dim sum would be worth anything farther than that. Now, dim sum are good. You have to really suck as a cook to make ground meat in a piece of dough taste bad (it happens, though), and I crave potstickers and xiao long bao at least once every other night, but the gap between the potsticker in my head and the potsticker in my mouth always ended up bigger than my head, so I can’t comprehend it. There’s some kind of epiphany reaction I want to get from eating dim sum that I’ve never gotten. But I think today came really, really close. Because of a duck and two teas.
The duck set the mood. We stood in front of the restaurant before it opened, so they had to rush setting up things to let us in. We were the first customers of a Sunday. Few minutes after we placed our order, the guy strode out asking if we would like some duck, the kitchen just finished steaming one. Yes, of course, we said. Out came small chunks of legs and thighs in a simple white bowl with a sprig of coriander, the meat still pink, the skin moist in a sunglow shade. It’s not chewing gum and it doesn’t fall apart like cornmeal, it has all the right tenderness, the right juiciness, the right saltiness. I couldn’t pry any information from the waiter except that it’s steamed. But they must’ve put something in the water.
The Hung Zhou crab and pork dumpling (Hung Zhou xie ruo xiao long bao) and the Shanghai soup dumpling (Shang Hai xiao long bao) both contain half a spoon’s worth of broth. They’re the juiciest xiao long bao I’ve found anywhere, and the Hung Zhou xie ruo ones are packed with enough savory sweetness on their own that they don’t need the vinegar and soy dipping sauce.
We got too absorbed in the xiao long bao that we didn’t pair any tea until the seafood and tofu eggdrop soup and the Tian Jing go bu li bao (steamed wheat dumpling with pork, mushroom and rice noodle inside) came. One one hand, Baochong, a light Taiwanese oolong, accentuates the chive in the bao, and the bao intensifies the Baochong’s floral note, so the pair just blooms in your mouth.
On the other, Phoenix Honey is a stronger oolong with a roasty profile and a sweetness of lychee, which complements the soothing eggdrop soup.
The spicy pork dumpling (xian shui jiao) kicked us in the throat, although we asked for “not too spicy”, but Baochong can sooth the spark away. The pan fried chive and pork dumpling (jiu cai xian bing) and Baochong made another floral pair, similar to their steamed smaller brothers. Phoenix Honey brought forth the nuttiness of fresh-but-need-more-salt peashoots.
Soon we figured out the rules: lighter tea with more flavorful dumplings, darker tea with milder ones. The sesame mochi in hot water (zhi ma tang yuan) is bland outside and intensely sweet inside, so neither tea had a noticeable effect on it, but the Phoenix Honey added a nice roasty finish that spotlighted the nuttiness of sesame.
The restaurant before 10:30. Half an hour later we got people sitting back-to-back with us and a line spewing out of the door.
After eating here, I regained faith in dim sum. I can look pass the obnoxious name. The duck helped. And the teas helped a bunch. Infusion after infusion, they kept their flavors and washed clean the dumplings’ grease, which was surprisingly scarce to begin with. Nancy was worried that the restaurant might not like us brewing our own tea. But we were seated by the window, our table filled with bamboo baskets, I was aiming my camera at all kinds of angles, Ken helped me rearranging the plates for the pictures, and Nancy was drawing in the aroma of a fresh cup. Old Chinese ladies walking on the streets kept stopping to look at our table with unhidden interest. I think we made a good window display. At the end, before politely asking us to leave the table for another group waiting, our waiter commented with much pleasantry: “You guys drink tea!”
Address: Shanghai Dumpling King
3319 Balboa Street
San Francisco, CA 94121
(415) 387-2088
Big lunch for three: ~ $62
This post also appears on Tea & Mai.
Having read this I thought it was very informative. I appreciate you taking the time and effort to put this article together. I once again find myself spending way to much time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worth it!
1After study a few of the blog posts on your website now, and I truly like your way of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back soon. Pls check out my web site as well and let me know what you think.
2This is really interesting, You are a very skilled blogger. I’ve joined your rss feed and look forward to seeking more of your fantastic post. Also, I have shared your website in my social networks!
3Hello. remarkable job. I did not imagine this. This is a impressive story. Thanks!
4I like this web blog so much, saved to my bookmarks. “I don’t care what is written about me so long as it isn’t true.” by Dorothy Parker.
5What i don’t realize is in fact how you’re not actually a lot more neatly-liked than you might be now. You are very intelligent. You understand thus considerably with regards to this subject, produced me in my view believe it from so many varied angles. Its like women and men don’t seem to be fascinated unless it’s something to do with Girl gaga! Your personal stuffs excellent. All the time take care of it up!
6Great post! Really helpful information, thanks for sharing. Nice write-up, keep it up.
7Oh my goodness! a tremendous article dude. Thanks Nevertheless I am experiencing issue with ur rss . Don’t know why Unable to subscribe to it. Is there anyone getting similar rss downside? Anyone who is aware of kindly respond. Thnkx
8Hello there! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would be okay. I’m definitely enjoying your blog and look forward to new updates.
9Throughout this awesome design of things you actually receive an A for effort and hard work. Where you actually confused me personally ended up being in your facts. As as the maxim goes, the devil is in the details… And it could not be more accurate at this point. Having said that, permit me inform you exactly what did work. Your writing is definitely pretty persuasive and this is possibly the reason why I am taking an effort to comment. I do not really make it a regular habit of doing that. 2nd, even though I can see a jumps in logic you make, I am not really confident of exactly how you appear to connect the ideas that produce your conclusion. For right now I will, no doubt yield to your position however wish in the future you link your dots better.
10I am not positive where you are getting your information, but great topic. I needs to spend some time studying more or figuring out more. Thank you for excellent information I was in search of this information for my mission.
11Great paintings! This is the kind of information that are supposed to be shared across the web. Disgrace on Google for now not positioning this post higher! Come on over and consult with my website . Thank you =)
12We are a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community. Your site provided us with valuable information to work on. You’ve done an impressive job and our whole community will be grateful to you.
13Thank you for sharing with us, I conceive this website genuinely stands out :D.
14I like what you guys are up too. Such intelligent work and reporting! Keep up the superb works guys I have incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it’ll improve the value of my web site 🙂
15Great tremendous things here. I’m very glad to see your post. Thank you a lot and i am having a look ahead to touch you. Will you kindly drop me a e-mail?
16That is very attention-grabbing, You’re an overly skilled blogger. I have joined your feed and sit up for in the hunt for more of your wonderful post. Also, I have shared your website in my social networks!
17Saved as a favorite, I really like your blog!
18Nice post. I was checking continuously this weblog and I am inspired! Very helpful information specifically the remaining phase 🙂 I maintain such information much. I was seeking this particular information for a very long time. Thank you and good luck.
19I’ve recently started a web site, the info you provide on this web site has helped me greatly. Thank you for all of your time & work.
20Whats up this is somewhat of off topic but I was wondering if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually code with HTML. I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding know-how so I wanted to get guidance from someone with experience. Any help would be enormously appreciated!
21소액결제현금화(휴대폰깡·모바일깡)의 뜻과 수법, 정보통신망법 위반 처벌 수위, 실제 처벌 사례와 이용자 피해, 급전 필요 시 합법 대안까지 정리했습니다.
22소액결제현금화(휴대폰깡·모바일깡)의 뜻과 수법, 정보통신망법 위반 처벌 수위, 실제 처벌 사례와 이용자 피해, 급전 필요 시 합법 대안까지 정리했습니다.
23I really appreciate you for sharing such interesting content. I truly enjoy your website. Many thanks for letting me share my thoughts on your website. I would love to see additional interesting updates from you in the near future.
24부산오피를 검색하며 부산 지역 일반 마사지·스파를 알아보는 분들을 위한 안내입니다. 프로그램 선택, 관리 시간과 비용, 시설·위생, 주차, 예약 전 확인사항과 자주 묻는 질문을 정리했습니다.
25광주호빠를 찾는 분을 위한 광주광역시 예약 안내. 라운지 분위기, 인원별 공간 선택, 가격 상담, 첫 방문 준비와 자주 묻는 질문을 확인하고 원하는 일정에 맞춰 문의
26I’ve been browsing online greater than 3 hours nowadays, but I by no means discovered any fascinating article like yours. It is lovely value enough for me. In my opinion, if all webmasters and bloggers made just right content as you probably did, the net will probably be much more helpful than ever before. “No one has the right to destroy another person’s belief by demanding empirical evidence.” by Ann Landers.
27Nice post. I learn something more difficult on different blogs everyday. It will all the time be stimulating to read content from different writers and observe a bit something from their store. I’d want to make use of some with the content on my weblog whether or not you don’t mind. Natually I’ll give you a link on your internet blog. Thanks for sharing.
28여기여에서 검색·콘텐츠·학습·디자인·개발·생활 분야의 링크모음과 주소모음을 살펴보세요. 사이트 주소 확인법, 모바일 이용법, 북마크 정리, 접속 문제 해결 방법과 FAQ를 안내합니다.
29This was a useful discovery. I will save this website for future reference. Nice write-up, keep it up.
30I do accept as true with all of the ideas you have introduced to your post. They are really convincing and will certainly work. Still, the posts are too short for starters. May just you please lengthen them a bit from next time? Thank you for the post.
31Does your site have a contact page? I’m having trouble locating it but, I’d like to send you an email. I’ve got some recommendations for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great site and I look forward to seeing it grow over time.
32Thankyou for this post, I am a big fan of this web site would like to continue updated.
33Hi there would you mind letting me know which hosting company you’re using? I’ve loaded your blog in 3 different internet browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot quicker then most. Can you suggest a good web hosting provider at a honest price? Thanks a lot, I appreciate it!
34Thanks a lot for sharing this with all folks you really understand what you’re speaking approximately! Bookmarked. Please also discuss with my web site =). We could have a link change contract among us!
35I do not even understand how I ended up here, however I thought this put up was once good. I don’t recognise who you might be however certainly you are going to a well-known blogger in case you are not already 😉 Cheers!
36I appreciate, cause I found just what I was looking for. You have ended my 4 day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day. Bye
37Very interesting subject, appreciate it for posting. “Men who never get carried away should be.” by Malcolm Forbes.
38광주호빠를 찾는 분을 위한 광주광역시 예약 안내. 라운지 분위기, 인원별 공간 선택, 가격 상담, 첫 방문 준비와 자주 묻는 질문을 확인하고 원하는 일정에 맞춰 문의
39광주호빠를 찾는 분을 위한 광주광역시 예약 안내. 라운지 분위기, 인원별 공간 선택, 가격 상담, 첫 방문 준비와 자주 묻는 질문을 확인하고 원하는 일정에 맞춰 문의
40광주호빠를 찾는 분을 위한 광주광역시 예약 안내. 라운지 분위기, 인원별 공간 선택, 가격 상담, 첫 방문 준비와 자주 묻는 질문을 확인하고 원하는 일정에 맞춰 문의
41대밤·대구의밤을 찾는 분들을 위한 대구 지역 정보. 동성로·수성못·동대구역·달서구의 저녁 여가와 지역별 특징, 후기 비교 기준, 가격·운영시간·교통 확인사항 및 자주 묻는 질문을 살펴보세요.
42광주호빠를 찾는 분을 위한 광주광역시 예약 안내. 라운지 분위기, 인원별 공간 선택, 가격 상담, 첫 방문 준비와 자주 묻는 질문을 확인하고 원하는 일정에 맞춰 문의
43대밤·대구의밤을 찾는 분들을 위한 대구 지역 정보. 동성로·수성못·동대구역·달서구의 저녁 여가와 지역별 특징, 후기 비교 기준, 가격·운영시간·교통 확인사항 및 자주 묻는 질문을 살펴보세요.
44Nice post. I learn something more challenging on different blogs everyday. It will always be stimulating to read content from other writers and practice a little something from their store. I’d prefer to use some with the content on my blog whether you don’t mind. Natually I’ll give you a link on your web blog. Thanks for sharing.
45Very interesting details you have observed, appreciate it for putting up.
46It’s best to participate in a contest for among the best blogs on the web. I’ll advocate this site!
47I discovered your blog site on google and check a few of your early posts. Continue to keep up the very good operate. I just additional up your RSS feed to my MSN News Reader. Seeking forward to reading more from you later on!…
48Wonderful work! This is the type of info that should be shared around the net. Shame on Google for not positioning this post higher! Come on over and visit my web site . Thanks =)
49You really make it seem so easy together with your presentation but I to find this topic to be really something that I believe I might by no means understand. It kind of feels too complex and extremely large for me. I’m taking a look ahead on your next put up, I will attempt to get the grasp of it!
50