The charm of old-style dim sum restaurants

Every now and then, I find myself craving a visit to an old-style dim sum restaurant, enjoying a pot of tea and a few dim sum dishes to savor the nostalgic atmosphere. Central Restaurant in Sham Shui Po is one such place, likely older than me. It's been nearly two decades since my last visit. These traditional dim sum restaurants often feature dim sum carts, where staff announce the available dishes, and diners call out for their favorites. This kind of ambiance is now increasingly rare. Whether dining at modern or old-style dim sum restaurants, shrimp dumplings and siu mai are always a must. Here, the shrimp dumplings are impressively large and generously filled, though even in these old establishments, the filling lacks pork or bamboo shoots. Of course, nostalgic dim sum items are a must-try. The roasted pork belly roll, combining tender pork belly and taro wrapped in soft bun dough, is a classic pairing that rarely goes wrong. However, the dish wasn't served hot enough, which deducts some points. Duck feet wrapped in bean curd skin is another rare find. While the bean curd skin was overly tough, the flavor was passable. Speaking of temperature issues, the fried items were the real disappointment. Spring rolls, sesame balls, and fried dumplings were all served cold, making them far from enjoyable. Moving on to desserts, the sesame pudding stood out with its rich aroma and was more than satisfactory. However, the baked sago pudding suffered from the same issue—being served cold, which significantly impacted its appeal, just like the savory dishes. Perhaps the charm of dining at these old establishments lies solely in the nostalgic experience... Restaurant Information: Central Restaurant Ground Floor, Tung Lo Mansion, 140 Tai Po Road, Sham Shui Po