Dim Sum Express
the smallest, and awesomest, dim sum shop in the most Chinese city in America
Selfie 23c-1 — When it comes to food as art, can anything beat a Sesame Rice Ball with Lotus Paste?
Monterey Park, CA
I live in the most Chinese city in America. New York City has more Chinese residents than any other American city, but not the highest percentage. That distinction goes to the small LA burbclave of Monterey Park, California. And yes, we’ve got the food to show for it.
Images
All images in this newsletter photographed with a Sony α7c mirrorless camera + 50mm f2.8 macro lens. Selfies were handheld, or captured with a Sony RMT-P1BT remote + Leophoto MT-03 tripod + MBC-18 ball head. RAW files processed in Adobe Lightroom Classic.
Dim Sum up the street
I live on Atlantic Boulevard. I know, a street called “Atlantic” on the Pacific Coast? Anyway, a couple blocks north on Atlantic is the delicious “Elite Restaurant”.
Elite Restaurant doesn’t do Dim Sum Carts. Instead you order off a menu for fresh and delicious dim sum. At least…
… when they’re not closed because the building’s been Red Tagged!
A couple more blocks up on Atlantic is the gargantuan, fantastic, and definitely open NBC Seafood. The do have servers rolling dim sum carts through the restaurant and stamping obscure and charming numbers in little circles on your bill.
And in The Most Chinese City in America you can buy dim sum in the park too.
Dim Sum Express
In spite of all the great food in Monterey Park and neighboring cities like Rosemead & Alhambra, my favorite dim sum spot is a tiny shack with two windows: Dim Sum Express.
Dim Sum Express is at 326 N. Garfield at Emerson in Monterey Park. They’re open from 8:00 am to 5:30 pm, or until they sell out. Whichever happens first.
Dim Sum Express is a nice 2 mile walk from my house. On the way I pass many neighbors’ yards. Thanks to all the atmospheric rivers of March, the neighbor yards are glorious with color ATM. At 1.3 miles is Barnes Park, City Hall, and the Library.
Dim Sum Express’ convenient picture menu.
Grab a handy pen taped to a plastic spoon and mark how many you want of what. Then slip your sheet through the 2-inch opening in the window and a faceless voice will tell you your total. Cash only, BTW.
Bite Sized!
Places like Elite and NBC tend to serve plates of 4 or more pieces - great for a group. But if you’re just 1 or 2 people, it limits how many different things you can try. At DSx you can gorge yourself with 1 of each of many delights.
Selfie 23c-2 — Today’s bill: $19.02 — be sure to stick a nice tip in the jar by the window, it’s a pretty small box to be working in for hours as they bring us dim sum delights.
DSx’s outdoor seating area has been closed (tables stacked on top of each other) since the pandemic. Which is actually good in that it motivates me to walk the 7-tenths of a mile back to Barnes Park and eat in the midst of the softball field, kids at the playground, Tai chi under the canopy, and various other park activities.
Community, Service
While I was eating today a guy came by with his two small children. He had a bag and they each had a grabber claw. They were picking up litter and bits of trash from the park and putting them in the bag that dad held.
A box of delights from Dim Sum Express.
Fried Wonton!
Fried Wonton, even closer!
Pot Sticker!
Siu Mai (pork)!
Crispy Egg Roll!
BBQ Pork Puff!
BBQ Pork Puff, detail!
Hom Suey Gok (glutinous rice)!
Hom Suey Gok, detail!
Baked Pineapple Cream Bun!
Baked Pineapple Cream Bun, detail!
Baked Pineapple Cream Bun, even closer detail!
Sesame Rice Ball with Lotus Paste!
Custard Tart!
Walking… and… eating…
I’ve always loved walking. On Friday the 13th of March 2020 the pandemic motivated me to make walking a bigger part of my life. I’ve gone on a morning walk every day since then.
Most days I walk between 4 & 8 miles. Walking North is flat. Walking South is a gentle incline. But if I go East or West it’s the rolling hills of Monterey Park. I enjoy flat, but it’s a little too chill. Hills are good.
Over the months and years of the pandemic, as I’ve taken the time to actually read food labels, my diet has gotten better. Besides ice, there’s nothing in my freezer now. Most days I eat unsalted nuts, cheese, and an omelet or stir fried vegetables.
If I walk to Home Depot, 7.5 miles round trip, or the Golf Course, 6.5 miles round trip, or the Alhambra Farmer’s Market, 8 miles round trip, then I might eat at the Golf Course Cafe, the Chick-fil-A next to Home Depot, or Dim Sum Express on the way back from the Farmer’s Market. Those days my diet isn’t so great and I don’t worry about it.
Selfie 23c-3 — oh, and while you’re walking through the park, don’t forget to pickup a Monterey Park Cherry Blossom Festival t-shirt! :)