Tuesday, January 5, 2010

My New Fave Dim Sum: Lunasia

Happy New Year to all!
Hope everyone had a great winter break.

So, now that it's 2010 and all, I wanted to try to get my backlogged posts out! My favorite dim sum place as of late is Lunasia, which replaced Triumphal Palace a while back.

Why do I like Lunasia so much?
1. The wait is typically less than other places like NBC, Elite, etc.
2. The ambiance is nicer, the place cleaner, the dishware nicer, and the service better. They actually changed the plates regularly.
3. The prices are quite reasonable.

Even if they did bump up the price last year, "Medium" dishes are still only $3.28. The popular fares like shiu mai and har gow still fall under this category. (Small dishes are $2.28 and large $4.28)
Compared to Dim Sum Express' $0.75 shiu mai, the ones here taste that much better and for 4 of them you'd only end up paying $0.28 more.

The shrimp dumplings (har gow, M) are also great. The skin is not too thick as to taste doughy, the shrimp nicely flavored and fresh.


Chicken feet in black bean sauce.

I also always like getting their bean curd skin wrap ($4.28)
These are meat and veggies wrapped in thin bean curd skin in a delightful broth.

Buttery char siu bao ($2.28)

The egg custard tarts are rich with a nice, flakey crust ($3.28)

Earlier in 2009, they had these durian puff pastries that I loved. Alas, they didn't have it on my last 2 visits and so I can only reminisce about it.
The pastry was warm and flakey, and inside you could find creamy durian paste the way it should be - sweet, strong in flavor and aroma. If you don't like durian and thinks that it's not at all sweet, then I'm sorry to say you had a bad durian.

I have never had to wait more than 15 minutes at Lunasia, even on the weekends! Add the taste and price point to that, this is my go-to dim sum place.

Lunasia
500 W Main Street Suite A
Alhambra, CA 91801
(626) 308-3222
www.lunasiachinesecuisine.com
Lunasia Chinese Cuisine on Urbanspoon
Lunasia Chinese Cuisine in Los Angeles

8 comments:

MyLastBite

What a bargain!!

Andi?

Whoa. Definitely going here soon.

EatTravelEat

Haven't been to this location in years now! I'm always unwilling to go somewhere other than Arcadia for dim sum as dim sum in Arcadia is so cheap at less than 2.20 a plate whether it be weekends or weekdays, but this one looks like a place I should visit. Durian puff pastries are so delicious! Had one freshly fried once and although the durian filling was screaming hot, it was so flavorful and tasty.

Food Gal

I've never seen dim sum custard tarts with such a caramelized crust. So, I take it they did not taste burnt at all, even though they look a little black on the edges? As for chicken feet, I always laugh when people pass them up as the dim sum carts come by. They don't know what they're missing. Yum!

gourmetpigs

E.T.E: I love durian puffs too! Unfortunately Lunasia doesn't seem to be carrying them anymore the last couple of times I went. Which place do you like?

Food Gal: I actually like the crust here better as it was crisper and flakier. The others just seem soggy and doughy to me.

SinoSoul

Pretty sure Elite still has the durian puff pastries? Can't remember tho. Last time I visited (early Sept), they still had 'em. Just had to ask.

Gastronomer

Thanks for the tip, GP! Vern loves dim sum. I will have to take him to Lunasia for a budget-friendly dumpling fest!

The Thirsty Pig

Looks Yummy. I am going to have to try it. Nice pictures! . . . so when are we starting the Pig Clan!

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