So the last couple times hubby and I have been to Durham, something has been missing.
I haven’t been getting my occasional dim sum fix! And you guys know how I feel about dim sum. 
So, this weekend I managed to talk hubby’s family into visiting my Durham-fave – Hong Kong Chinese Restaurant.
Have you guys ever tried dim sum? I’m thinking of writing a pocket-guide or how-to for dim-sum-newbies. It is a bit intimidating if you don’t know the ropes. But, I’d be happy to help you navigate your first experience with confidence.
I always get hot tea with my dim sum. But if you can’t drink hot tea without sugar, you may want to skip it. Hot tea here is served sans sugar.
We normally go to the restaurant right at opening, but hubby and his brother were watching the new X-Men at 10:30am. So, we met at the restaurant at 1pm.
Normally, I have to wait for one of my faves – roast pork bun, but today, since we were there later, we got it first!
And though I normally get Chinese broccoli, we decided to try something new for our veg – baby bok choy. Aren’t they cute?
Yes…cute…and tasty!
Another fave of mine – har gow (shrimp dumpling).
And with a couple more orders, our lazy Susan was really filling up.
Sticky rice (I usually either get this or the lotus leaf version).
And hubby’s brother requested this tofu, which was really tasty (never seen this one before!).
At this point, I was pretty much done. lol But we still ordered a couple more things for hubby and his fam…
Fried shrimp/crab balls.
Spring rolls (I never eat these at dim sum since they’re so readily available at every.single.Chinese restaurant – why waste the stomach space when you can try something new?), but hubby loves them, so he got them.
And another hubby fave – calamari. I must admit, they have a wonderful calamari here, though I still only end up eating a couple small bites.
And for dessert, I split these sesame balls for dessert with hubby’s mom.
I’m totally eying this for next time – hot/cold soybean milk! I wonder if they make it themselves here? That would be cool!
This little Durham dim sum restaurant is turning into a favorite. The food is always wonderful and the servers are so helpful and nice. 
***
After lunch, I went with hubby’s mom to a consignment shop. As we started browsing the goods outside, they stepped out to tell us they weren’t open, but they were still working and to let us know if we saw anything. Since there were a couple baskets of plateware, I had to take a look.
And wouldn’t you know my eye was drawn right to a brilliant, TCL-blue plate at the bottom of a heap of (beat-up) glassware.
Turns out it was a cup and saucer of vintage fiestaware! And upon inquiry of the price, I found out there were 2 more sets, plus 4 plates! Shibby!
I also scored a small pink Depression bowl.
Yes, only I would manage to purchase stuff from a closed consignment shop. lol. Actually, hubby’s mom bought the plate-goodies for me. Thanks!
***
Hubby and I came home, packed up and headed home. We had grand plans to grill out, but we got rained out instead by a giant storm with lots of scary lightning. We’re planning to raincheck the meal for Monday night. Instead of BBQ, we had pizza.
***
Do you like to shop at thrift/consignment shops? What do you look for there?
{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
I rock the consignment and thrift stores like no other. I love when I can score designer clothes, and I’m also addicted to buying all my mismatched dishware there. I found a le creuset grilling pan there once – that one made me giddy for days!
You are a thrift-shop-rock-star!
I found some Brooks Brothers shirts for hubby once with the tags on still! They were like $2 each! Whoa!
I love consignment stores and always have to check out the scarves. Have you ever tried the dim sum restaurant in Plaza Midwood? I’ve never tried dim sum in my life, but I’m definitely curious about it.
I have been there! They’re pretty good. There’s also a place off of Tryon.
We need to do a bloggie outing at dim sum sometime! 
Definitely do the dim sum for newbies post that would be super helpful!
You got it!
Love Dim Sum! I’ve not had dim sum in quite some time. I will need to change that very soon! I love the shumai, cha siu bao, the garlicky green beans, amongst others. Love the tea as well.
I haven’t seen the green beans! I want them! lol
YUM I love the sesame balls!
I recently had Dim Sum with my bf a few months ago and I was in life!! So delicious
Those dishes are so cute! I love that shade of blue. I have a few odds and ends dishes from Grandma, but a lot of my stuff is fake vintage…Anthropologie clearance!
Ooh I lurve Anthropologie!
That looks pretty amazing and delicious! Like a buffet, but with better quality!
I love drinking herbal tea without any sweetener.
YUM! Sounds like my kind of place!
I love shopping at Thrift Stores!!! They always have the best deals! I even find clothes with the tag still on them!!!
OMG, I’m so jealous! I wish we had a place like that in Pittsburgh. I love me some sticky rice and steamed pork buns. YUM!
Two of my favorites!!
i actually just went to a fun local antique store this weekend. they had a ton of dishware. i bought two pyrex pieces– a small brown mixing bowl with a daisy pattern, and a 1 1/2 cup teal squared bowl (maybe an old measuring cup?). they had fun fiestaware but my piece of choice was $135. yikes! love your purchase though!
Vintage pyrex is my fave! I have some nested turquoise mixing bowls and a couple others of the turquoise ones!
Oh my dim sum is one of my favs! I too love the roast pork buns, har gow, and seasme balls. I would definitely try the hot soybean milk if you can since you can get the cold one almost anywhere…just saying. Sometimes they make it with pandan (sp?) as well, but it still doesn’t compare to the original. And your blue fiesta bowls are just darling! tres chic! I’m thinking of going to the HLS this year, will you be there by any chance cause I would love to meet.
I was thinking hot soy milk, too, for the same reason you said.
And yes, I’m going to HLS! Are you going? I’d love to meet you, too!
i love dim sum (or yum cha as we call it). i always avoid the fried things & just eat dumpling, veggies & a roast pork bun. then custard tart for dessert & maybe jelly!
I love you blue bowls, adorable
I’ve never heard it called “yum cha” before – is that a nickname for it? It’s fun to say!
Yayayay! I’m so excited to find this post! This is my favorite Dim Sum haunt (I’m from Durham) and their pork buns and sticky rice are tragically delicious.
Nice! We went on Monday. I didn’t even know they served dim sum on the weekends. Turns out…they do but sans carts. It’s definitely better on the weekends with the carts!
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