The Resy Guide to Dim Sum in Washington, D.C.

This newcomer has brought a much-needed dim sum brunch to the Woodley Park neighborhood. The restaurant itself is charming and unique, with a huge tree in the middle of the restaurant that gives the venue an al fresco vibe. Golden light fixtures and Chinese artwork add to the relaxing atmosphere, which is only outshone by the cuisine.  Take your pick of dynamite dim sum options ranging from classic soup dumplings to the most crunchy of scallion pancakes, to a chewy bean curd roll with oyster sauce. Pro tip: Don’t skip the purple gold egg-yolk buns for dessert.

One of the best dim sum brunches in greater D.C. is definitely the one at Peter Chang’s Bethesda outpost. The fresh vegetarian rice rolls are a great way to kick things off, followed by an order of the crunchiest taro cakes in town. Giant chive dumplings are succulent and savory and steamed vegetable dumplings are beautifully made. Egg tarts and egg yolk baked buns are essential at this brunch, and close things out with sticky-rice sesame balls. Great for groups, with indoor and outdoor seating, this is one brunch you want to take advantage of as soon as possible.

At Da Hong Pao your dim sum menu includes pictures of each item — although the photos don’t quite do the depth of these dishes full justice.Some of the gems include garlicky spring rolls, elegant mini egg tarts, dense pan-fried turnip cakes, and sweet buns filled with cream — which are whimsically called “pineapple buns” only because of their hue and design, not because they are made with the fruit.

It may be a little ways from downtown D.C., but the journey is worth it. The dim sum menu at Hollywood East is endless, and includes plenty of options for vegetarians including steamed veggie dumplings, buns, pan-fried vegetable rolls, and rice noodle crepes. Be sure to save room for dessert because the dim sum pastries options are impressive. With choices like creamy baked custard buns, fried green tea balls, and the famous red bean paste buns — filled with a rich, sweet red bean paste. You won’t be able to choose so just order them all.

This Virginia dim sum shop has some seriously beautifully made specimens of the craft. Snow pea dumplings feature especially smooth wrappers crammed with snow pea leaves, giving the dumplings a slightly green hue. Stuffed tofu is satisfying and meaty (except not, obvi) and rice crepes gracefully enrobe mushrooms, carrots, and cabbage. The restaurant offers both chive buns and chive dumplings (good luck choosing!) and steamed custard buns are velvety and rich.

The good news: You can’t miss this dim sum spot because of the huge “dumplings” sign out front. The menu hosts quite a few tempting selections, including translucent vegetable dumplings served with different sauces including soy sauce and chili sauce; exceptionally flaky scallion pancakes; and finger-licking good spring rolls. Enjoy it all with a pot of Chinese tea. And as the menu says, “be careful, the dumplings are hot!”

A crispy thousand-layer pancake is the highlight of this restaurant’s dim sum menu, but you also can’t go wrong with the pan-fried vegetable buns, properly crispy on the bottom and doughy on the top, or the succulent steamed dumplings. Wash down your meal with a cold bubble tea. (And if you’re in Virginia, there’s a second location in Annandale.)

Variety is the name of the game at this casual District Ave. spot. There are slightly sweet and nutty edamame dumplings, gorgeous emerald-hued vegetarian shu mai that encase a hearty tofu, corn and mushroom, and wonderfully unusual pan-fried dumplings puffy with a sweet squash and nutty Romano cheese filling.

The newly opened Sparrow Room is a trendy, modern spot offering some unexpected twists. Top recommendations include the Impossible siu mai and the cabbage spring rolls. Those siu mai at Sparrow Room are stuffed with beautifully seasoned Impossible meat, making for an uber-hearty, juicy dumpling. The spring rolls are similarly earthy with a wood ear mushroom and carrot filling. Enjoy your dim sum with one of the venue’s elaborate cocktails, like the Bernandino in Shanghi, made with lychee puree, lemon, Aperol, mint and Fernet Branca.

The fluffy buns are the winning dish on the dim sum menu at KungFu Kitchen. The smooth, doughy bun is the perfect contrast for crunchy, slightly bitter bok choy and woody mushroom filling. (Each order comes with two buns, so be sure to ask for multiple orders!) Vegetable dumplings are also great, and can come fried or steamed, and Chinese chive pockets are compellingly good.