Dining In Chinatown

Boston's Chinatown offers a tremendous variety of foods and meal styles (as well as some kitschy Chinese-style architecture). The different types of dining styles offered in Chinatown and now the Metrowest suburbs sometimes confuse even those who are quite knowledgeable about Chinese cuisine. Below, we explain some of the major styles found in the eateries throughout Chinatown, and offer tips to help you choose the type of dining experience that suits you best.

Dim Sum, Anyone?
Dim Sum, which literally translates as "a little bit of your heart’s desire," is a style of Cantonese brunch offered in the late morning to mid-afternoon, usually only on weekends. The richness of Dim Sum dishes make them a special treat. A Dim Sum meal usually consists of steaming-hot delights, ranging from shrimp balls wrapped in rice paper to curried squid, offered on small plates from carts rolled around by the servers. The number and variety of these little dishes are incalculable, and vary from restaurant to restaurant.

The advantage of Dim Sum is that you get to try a little bit of everything, rather than being stuck with, say, a great big steak or a giant bowl of pasta. Be prepared to be adventurous and to try new things, knowing that in some restaurants, servers speak no English and so cannot offer clear explanations of what each little dish is, while in other restaurants, servers are so harried that they have no time or inclination to offer explanations to those not in the know.

Cantonese cuisine as presented in the Dim Sum style is fun and provides an opportunity to gorge without big portions. At most restaurants, you will simply choose the items that appeal to you as the cart passes by. The number of dishes you have requested will be added up at the end of the meal and your bill will be calculated accordingly. Some restaurants’ Dim Sum offerings also include a constantly changing buffet, from which you can sample as much as you want. If the only brunches you have had consist of eggs and their accompaniments, the incredible variety and tastes of Dim Sum will pleasantly surprise you.

THIS is Deli?
Many of the same visitors to Chinatown who enjoy perusing the variety of produce available from streetside markets, are either fascinated or repulsed by the hanging chickens and ducks in the windows of some Chinatown eateries. In our opinion, this practice is just like a deli, where cooked foods are already prepared and are ready to be quickly purchased and taken home. The only difference is the food itself of course, and the way it is displayed in the window.

When Chinese families are pressed for time but want delicious, authentic Chinese food, they head to these take-out shops. Duck, chicken, or roast pork tenderloin, which are usually served with white rice, are among the most popular choices. These foods have been prepared in tasty ways that are quite different from the rotisserie or deep fried chicken many Americans are used to. These meats are generally sold by the pound or portion thereof, and can be chopped up to bite size or left intact.

We highly recommend trying this Cantonese style of take-out dining. Note that deli items are available only from the mid-morning until they are sold out, which can be in the early evening or sooner, depending on the reputation and popularity of the deli restaurant.

Fast Food, Cantonese Style
Chinese people demand high quality and variety in the fast foods they consume. Throughout Chinatown, there are dozens of rice and noodle shops that offer an immense variety of dishes you can order (to eat in or take out) for a quick but tasty meal. The style of dining these shops offer consists primarily of a dish served with rice, or a variety of noodles. This dining style is usually available from late morning on until closing. This style is usually for individuals and families who do not have the time or want to spend the money for a la carte dining.

We have found that Cantonese cuisine offers one of the most extensive varieties of foods and dining styles of any ethnicity in the world. Opportunities abound now in restaurants located both on the streets of Chinatown and in the nearby suburbs, with the growth of restaurant competition fueled by the increased sophistication of tastes. For specific suggestions of where to eat in Boston's Chinatown, we invite you to read our reviews of some popular Cantonese restaurants -- and then to try them! We wish you happy adventures in exploring Cantonese cuisine.

by Stella Chin

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