Dim sum Overdose: Maxim's Cityhall Hong Kong
Lots of friends flew in for the rugby 7s weekend, most of them were tag-alongs as their other halfs flew in to watch the games that also gave them an excuse to booze alot and misbehave!
So, us non-rugby fans went to pig out at dimsum brunch. The good thing about Hong Kong is there isn’t really bad food here, it’s all good and some are excellent. Maxim’s at Cityhall falls into the good, bordering on great category, and sure we would know as we ordered several times the average person each and ate more items off the menu than most groups. We were unrestrained and ordered shamelessly, but did pretty well cleaning up the plates.
The litmus test for good dimsum would be their hargau虾饺, xiumai 烧卖, fried taro cakes 芋头糕 and these signature dishes they did very well. I was in disbelief when they told me they didn’t have pan-fried radish cake, only the steamed ones—that was average at best. The fried wantons came with mayo dip (yum), charxiu sow pastry buns—hot, flakey and filled generously with well done BBQ sauce diced pork. The taufa soya bean curd with ginger syrup was a refreshing take on the usual syrup and the egg tarts were unfortunately average at best.
They don’t take reservations at lunchtime, so be prepared to wait. Tip, go a little later after 1pm, the wait is a little shorter than if you go at peak hour before noon.
Maxim’s @ Cityhall
香港大会堂
2/F, City Hall Low Block
Mon-Sat
11:00am-3:00pm &
5:30pm -11:30pm
Sun & Public Holiday
9:00am-3:00pm &
5:30pm -11:30pm
Tel: (852) 2521 1303
Mackie
Apr 06, 2011 @ 15:57:34
We must go when I get there! :) Beautiful photos!
Duncan
Apr 06, 2011 @ 18:26:51
Maxim’s is one of my favs…have you tried Federal at Tai Kok Tsui? Its massive, brightly lit and noisy…they have discounts early afternoon so it fills with local retirees :-) Great dim sum.
ryd
Apr 06, 2011 @ 19:39:02
It was divine!! You forgot to mention dessert no.3!! :)
Baobabs
Apr 06, 2011 @ 21:31:51
@Mackie yes here and many more!
@Ryd hahahahahahahahaha my dao huey photo fail so didn’t upload. Dont do an avp!
@Duncan havent been! Thanks for the tip I never had patience to get a seat at leen heung the famous super traditional spot, still on the list of to eats!
marla
Apr 13, 2011 @ 20:06:55
Honestly I have never been for traditional dim sum, but I would love to! This post has so many goodies :)
baobabs
Apr 14, 2011 @ 00:59:51
hi marla! you definitely should! :D although the experience will be not quite like the noisy real thing, where they chinese describe the ambience as “hot and noisy” 热闹
shelley
Apr 15, 2011 @ 03:19:01
Oh Maxim’s! I tried to go there once on my only trip to HK, in 2007, and they were….closed! Boo.
I would love to go have dim sum in Hong Kong one day, I miss the trolleys. So much fun!
baobabs
Apr 16, 2011 @ 03:29:12
@shelley aw! i heard they had closed for a renovation some years back cos it looks all new and glossy now. come visit! I yum-cha every week these days, it’s not good for the waistline unfortunately
Amyitis
Apr 19, 2011 @ 06:50:04
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Please, contact me inbox.
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baobabs
Apr 20, 2011 @ 02:56:31
@ amyitis thanks! I received it and have replied. :)
Classic Dim Sum at Maxim’s Palace City Hall | The Unpaid Gourmet
Jun 20, 2011 @ 07:10:47
[…] locations, is renowned for its classic dim sum and elegant harbor views. Tourists, locals, and food bloggers alike crowd into the huge banquet-style dining room, peering into each of the steaming carts that […]
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