Late last year I dined in the evening at Star Seafood Restaurant at The Hub and learned that the restaurant also served yum cha, not just at weekends, like some places, but every day of the week from as early as 9am through to 3pm.
I resolved to make a date and then when colleagues suggested lunching out recently, Star’s yum cha won the vote.
Just hearing the magic ‘yum cha’ words made me drool. I confirmed my place quicker than you can say, pork buns.
And of course pork buns were just one mouth-watering delicacy we selected – yes, so bad for the hips, heaven on the lips but best of all, priced to please.
Those familiar with yum cha will know the dining experience consists of wait staff constantly circulating with an array of small bamboo bowls. Inside each one is three, four, or several tasty morsels. Patrons chose those dishes which most appeal.
Priced between $3.50 and $10 per bowl, the range of culinary tit-bits is diverse and generally a table of four will select up to a dozen bowls over the course of a couple of hours.
Yum cha dishes are generally a mix of deep fried or steamed options. The latter is definitely healthy, but some of those deep fried goodies are just too delicious to pass up.
And the advantage of yum cha dining is that it allows patrons to sample many different flavours. If one dish doesn’t quite suit, it can be put aside without feeling that money has been wasted.
Despite it being aThursday when we lunched at The Hub, Star Seafood Restaurant was almost full and no one seemed in a rush to leave. Once again I noticed co-owner Casey Chen circulating among patrons charming them with greetings on arrival and thanks when they left. She was also quick to assist us with choices and consequently we made no mistakes.
A convivial way to dine, yum cha is suited to many different groups including vegetarians (plenty of options to choose from) and families. Children seldom have trouble finding tasty treats including desserts.
I am so pleased to have discovered an excellent yum cha restaurant so close to home but I did have to contend with hubby’s miffed moans when he heard where I had been. It meant promising to make another date for his day off. Well, that’s easy – next week will suit me fine!
