While declaring the best dim sum in Guomen might seem a little too specific, it should be noted that this is a relatively important part of Shenzhen and the dim sum is a hugely important of Cantonese cuisine.
I of course learned this after opening an office here, which has also led me to trying most all of the various local foods and bars.
What the Guomao?
Guomen marks the second stop on the Shenzhen Metro, just after Luo Hu, the border subway station with Hong Kong. This means that it is not only part of the whole network with Hong Kong and Macao, but also slap bang in the middle of the financial district.
This means that the food scene here is truly epic and eclectic at the same time. There are therefore numerous high grade restaurants, street food and good old 7-11.
What the Dim Sum in Guomao?
Where to start with dim sum? Well I will start by saying this article is about dim sum in Guomao, because I will surely have to later cover the phenomenon that is dim sum later on and in more depth.
To sum up though dim sum is a dish that originated in the 19th century and is a grim part of Cantonese cuisine. This would technically take in Guangdong cuisine, but is mostly assorted with Hong Kong/Macau.
And while most of the world, with rip offs like Dim Sum Express associate it with the dumplings, there are many other dishes, soups and even teas that go towards the dim sum experience. And an experience it is, BUT seemingly only for breakfast or lunch.
This was the case anyway when we went searching for dim sum in Guomao, with 5pm seemingly the rigid cut off mark.
Dim Sum in Guomao at Chiuchow Garden Restaurant
Like all of the best hangouts this place is slightly hidden away being on the third floor of a restaurant building that even has a bartender academy in it. There are also other fine looking restaurants showing that this really is the place to be seen.
And Chiuchow Garden Restaurant is not just some Guomao thing, with this large and prestigious chain that is all over Hong Kong.
Chiuchow Garden Restaurant Shenzhen Address;
No.6035, Shennan Road,
Futian District,
Shenzhen
518040,
China
Tel：(86 755)8881 9999.
Dim Sum Guomao!
So when you enter Chiuchow Garden Restaurant in Guomao you are quite literally greeted to a large and heavily luxurious almost ball room like affair. From here you have over 100 tables, with all of them pretty much being full.
And then there is the staff, of which there are seemingly as many as there are customers, all running around like crazy with microphones and kit to help them communicate the hundreds of diets comes out at a time.
Ordering is done classic dim sum style with a great big paper menu with countless dishes over all of the categories with you just needing to tick the ones that you want. I’m sure it is not that good for the environment, but it sure is quick and easy.
Eating Dim Sum in Guomen
Again I will not hell for leather into what different kinds of dim sum that there are, for that will come later. I will though say what I personally had. For me when I comes to dim sum in Guomao or wherever it is all about the dumplings.
Said dumplings are different to your usual Chinese fare and are somewhat iconic too. Particularly among this is the shrimp dumping! Also known as Har gow or 蝦餃, this steamed dumpling is translucent and usually at least has a full shrimp in it (that you can see). I truly have to say this is one of my favorite dishes even when done badly, so when it is done well it frankly one of the best foods in the world. Again this might get its own entry…
The other keynote dish, at least for me was Fun guo another steamed dumpling that was filled with seafood. Said dumplings are then garnished with soy or hot sauce, but in reality are great on their own.
We had other dishes, such as meat by itself, as well as other staples, but not other highlight was the rice cake sweat “bunnies” that you almost felt sad for eating.
You can check my China tours here.
And that was how I took care of dim sum in Guomao after quite literally days thinking about it. In fact it was so good that it has pretty much rejuvenated my love of dumplings and dim sum, with more to follow.