Los Angeles Dim Sum Dining

There's a good chance I've had dim sum for breakfast, lunch and dinner for the past three days as I travel throughout Asia. Dim sum originated in China and was traditionally linked to tea tasting, or yum cha. Tea shops were open on the Silk Road for travelers to rest and recharge. Initially, food wasn't served with tea as it was thought to hinder digestion. Luckily that thought was overturned and dim sum and tea formed a lovely partnership.

Hong Kong is a hot spot for dim sum and has several Din Tai Fung locations that are as popular there as they are in Los Angeles. It seems sacrilegious to go to a chain, but not all chains are created equal, and I've heard nothing but rave reviews about Din Tai Fung's dumplings in Hong Kong. Stay tuned to see if I make it and how it compares.

Hakkasan also has several locations around the world and offers a more upscale dining experience that includes dim sum and other Cantonese cuisine, but no roving carts. Capital Seafood in San Gabriel Valley gives the full on cart, lazy susan, free for all dim sum experience. There are so many great spots for dim sum in Los Angeles that I haven't even scratched the surface. I may need a small dim sum break after I return from my trip, but then I'll be ready to dive back in. For real time images of where I'm eating throughout Southeast Asia, check my Instagram feed. In the interim, enjoy these hot spots right here in LA or explore wherever you live.