The interior of Dim Sum Yuan is minimalist but beautifully decorated, instantly making you feel like you have been transported to an elegant tea shop or cafe. I tried Dim Sum Yuan in Oxford with a friend in order to learn more about Dim Sum, and I ended up discovering a taste sensation!
Photo: Instagram @nicosroom
Dim Sum is a long-standing style of small-plates eating from the Cantonese tradition in China. Originally, the small plates accompanied a breakfast tea time, though eating an entire meal is also possible at a Dim Sum restaurant.
When you arrive at Dim Sum Yuan, you’ll be presented with a colorful menu that identifies all the small plates with bright pictures. For the best experience of Dim Sum, I recommend these guidelines:
-
Bring friends! The more people you bring, the more small dishes you can order and share amongst you. A group of 4 or more may be able to try more than 10 items.
-
Push your boundaries! If something sounds like it could be wonderful or maybe not, order it anyway! The dishes are small enough that everyone at the table can have a taste, but nothing will be wasted.
-
Order a second round! Don’t be afraid to order 2 items per person to begin and then order a second round if everyone is still interested in more food. If anything, this will allow you all to select a second serving of the “crowd favorites” and try new things as well.
Photo: Instagram @nicosroom
At Dim Sum Yuan, the food is fresh and flavorful, full of comforting and savory ingredients, including some that may seem a bit exotic to you and your friends but which are typical in Cantonese cuisine.
Personal Recommendations
-
The pan fried turnip cake was a delicious, savory flavor much like a potato pancake; push your limits if you haven’t tried anything with turnip before, because this taste is well worth it.
-
BBQ pork buns are some of the most popular offerings at Dim Sum restaurants, and the combination of the fluffy steamed buns with pork and dark sweet barbecue sauce is a wonderful item on a cold day.
-
Shrimp dumplings in near-transparent dumpling wrappers form a slippery and delicious treat that was definitely one of my favorites.
-
Save room for dessert: mango pudding or egg tarts are among some of the tasty and sweet treats.
You’ll be surprised how trying multiple small dishes fills you up, and more importantly, I noticed that getting to serve myself from the same dishes as my friend created great dinner conversation; we compared the treats we’d ordered, tried them with and without soy sauce, and simply delighted in every bite of food. If you want a mindful eating experience where you and your companions focus on flavor, Dim Sum Yuan certainly delivered for me and my friend.
Dim Sum Yuan
313 S College Ave
