Dim Sum Dynasty - Ridgewood, NJ Review

75 Franklin Avenue • Ridgewood, NJ 07450
201-652-0686 • www.dimsumdynastynj.com

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elvisdo
Mahwah, NJ

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Authentic dim sum and chow mein in one place makes me happy

Every day computer user, into trying new things, appreciate nice things, married, Open-minded, always seeking good tips

Pros

Authentic Cantonese cuisine, Perfect chow mein dish, Dim sum served in true form, Incredible food

Cons

Expensive outing, Parking is hard to find

JUN

2008

I learned a cold, hard truth when I moved to New Jersey from Vancouver, British Columbia only four years ago: finding a really good Chinese restaurant is a difficult task. I learned this the hard way when I ordered chow mein one day. I was expecting the familiar noodle dish. Instead I got something else that didn't even come close to the dish. According to the Oxford Pocket Dictionary, chow mein is defined as this:

chow mein • n. a Chinese-style dish of fried noodles with shredded meat or seafood and vegetables.

One main ingredient was missing: the noodles. You wouldn't believe the curse words that came out of my mouth that day. I was not a happy camper. It didn't take me long to realize that chow mein in New Jersey really means chop suey. The chow mein that I'm used to doesn't exist at all. I was actually heartbroken over that fact. Whenever I describe the dish to the owners of these restaurants, they know exactly what I'm taking about but always say, "We cater to the American style. They don't know how to eat that." And for a double whammy, I couldn't even find any place that served authentic dim sum.

That all changed a couple of years ago when I noticed a new Chinese restaurant in Ridgewood, New Jersey. The name itself caught my attention—Dim Sum Dynasty. Could it really be? Have my prayers been answered? I was really hesitant to try it out in fear of being disappointed. I'm so glad I got over that fear because it was exactly what Buddha ordered.

Dim Sum Dynasty serves the traditional Cantonese style cuisine that I was craving for since I arrived in the Garden State in Bergen County. My wife has never experienced a dim sum meal so I really wanted to show her what it was like. Traditionally, dim sum is considered to be a brunch that ends around 3 PM. The food items are served in carts and come in bamboo containers to keep the steamed items hot. It is a potpourri of small finger food items that becomes extremely addicting. This restaurant serves traditional dim sum only on the weekends with over 100 selections at its disposal. Otherwise, dim sum is also served on the menu but only a few choice and popular items are listed. Keep in mind that the items on the menu are a bit more expensive. The weekend menu is cheaper but also has more exotic dishes. Going out for dim sum brunch is a treat for us. It's amazing how quickly the table gets filled with many dishes to sample.

The dinner menu is equally impressive and I managed to find a few of my favourites. But more importantly, I did find my chow mein dish. It isn't called "chow mein" at all in fear of confusion to the chop suey that has tainted its name. Instead, I can find it listed under "pan fried noodles". As soon as I discovered it exists, I was in total bliss. Again, when I showed my wife what I had been talking about for a long time, she finally understood and said, "I have never seen this dish before at all."

Dim Sum Dynasty is not cheap by any means and I don't expect it to be considering where it is located. Ridgewood is a very pricey area with many eating establishments surrounding the town. Since this is also the only Cantonese serving restaurant around in the area, there is no competition. I keep hearing that Flushing, New York is the place to get incredible and cheap Chinese meals, but a lot of people from Flushing come all the way to Dim Sum Dynasty to eat.

I'm glad that Dim Sum Dynasty exists. It's nice to be able to have a good authentic Chinese meal once in while when I really want to treat myself. I never realized how much I took Vancouver, British Columbia for granted until I couldn't find dim sum and chow mein. As the old saying goes, "I killed two birds with one stone" finding this place.

Dim Sum Dynasty - Ridgewood, NJ is recommended by elvisdo

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Comments about elvisdo’s Review

elvisdo wrote on Jun 26, 2008 at 3:52PM

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Now you know, and knowing is half the battle! After all, it's an ancient Chinese secret.

MotherGrizzly wrote on Jun 24, 2008 at 1:43PM

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Mr. Charles Speaking,

To think that I actually thought that "chow mein" meant "nasty goop that is piled on top of rice." Thanks for setting me straight! And thanks for your comments!

Wife Speaking

elvisdo wrote on Jun 23, 2008 at 9:14PM

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I do know what you are talking about and I've come to realize that it's different in Eastern U.S. Lo mein is served everywhere over here as well and it's the noodle dish people are accustomed to eating. It's the soft noodle dish. What I was looking for is the deep fried crunchy egg noodle served in a thick sauce. This is what most restaurants don't serve at all. I know this is the Cantonese version of the dish.

Dim sum is another story and I'm just glad there's a place that actually serves great dim sum. I know I have to go into NYC and experience what the city has to offer one day.