Dimsum Delights

“I am yet to come across someone who doesn’t relish a dimsum,” says Vipul Dua,the café’s owner. Bringing in chef Dheeraj from Delhi,who is an expert at dishing out dimsum specials,the festival offers a line-up of both vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian dimsums.

“In Hong Kong and in most cities and towns in Guangdong Province,many Chinese restaurants start serving dimsums as early as five in the morning. It’s a tradition for the elderly to gather together to eat dimsums after their morning exercises,often while reading the morning’s newspaper,” Dheeraj explains.

Back in Chandigarh,the chef has put together a variety of dimsums like Bao and Kothai as well. “A basket holds six pieces of steamed dimsums and ingredients range from prawn,pork,lamb to exotic vegetables,” he adds. The menu boasts of the likes of Prawn Sui Mai (Rs 150),Chicken Schezwan Dimsum (Rs 145),Juicy Lamb Kothai (Rs 135),Five Spice Vegetable Dimsum (Rs 110) and Brocolli and Mushroom Dimsum (Rs 110). Dua recommended we opt for a non-vegetarian platter to start with. Priced at Rs 275,it offers 12 pieces of different kinds of dimsums. We head straight for it but before that arrives a fresh,clear lemon soup that is a complimentary part of the festival. “Dimsums aren’t just snacks but a complete meal in themselves,” says Dua who decided to pair the soup to make it more wholesome. The Prawn Sui Mai was flavoursome and the Juicy Lamb Kothai lived up to its name and the soup was really good for two. Another high point here are the four special sauces that go with the menu. There is a ginger dip,Soya Chilli,Cantonese Sauce dip and Chilli Garlic sauce. While we relished the Pork Dimsum,the vegetable versions were exactly happening,with many tasting like the previous one. But if you are still looking for greens,the Vegetarian Schezwan is well worth it.

The festival will run for another two weeks.

Meal for two:
Rs 500 (including taxes)
Location: SCO 468 E,Sector 35-C,Chandigarh
Contact: 0172-4642021/4652021