Introduction
Of comfort foods that pleasingly cover all the bases savory, sweet, crispy, chewy, delicate, and bold Best Dim Sum St Louis is one of the toughest to beat. Emerging from the Cantonese practice of yum cha (tea drinking), dim sum is a dining experience centered on sharing. Delicate, skillfully crafted plates make the rounds to the table, frequently via roving carts, so that the guests can try a multitude of tastes and textures in a single meal. From pillowy pork buns to see-through shrimp dumplings and sweet egg tarts, dim sum has something for everyone. Best Dim Sum St Louis
Although Best Dim Sum St Louis is not the immediate city that will pop into mind as having the real Chinese food, it has developed a very active dim sum culture without much fanfare. In areas such as University City, where immigrant groups have brought their food ways with them, you can eat dishes as good as or even better than in larger coastal cities.
Whether you’re a seasoned Best Dim Sum St Louis enthusiast or an eager beginner, here’s an insider’s guide to the most popular and highest-rated spots to indulge in Best Dim Sum St Louis.
1. Lu Lu Seafood & Dim Sum
Address: 8224 Olive Blvd, University City, MO 63132
Best For: Classic dim sum variety with high-quality consistency
Price Range: $
Lu Lu Seafood & Dim Sum is a St. Louis dim sum institution. One of the first restaurants in town to serve a complete dim sum menu, Lu Lu has built a devoted clientele of locals who return again and again. Weekends find the dining room buzzing with the rattle of carts and conversation of customers waiting to decide between bamboo-steamed dumplings, fried spring rolls, and smooth rice noodle rolls (cheong fun).Best Dim Sum St Louis
Signature items here are:
Har Gow (shrimp dumplings): carefully wrapped and filled with juicy shrimp
Siu Mai (pork and shrimp dumplings): juicy, tasty, and a crowd-pleaser
Char Siu Bao (BBQ pork buns): soft and slightly sweet, filled with savory meat
Sticky Rice in Lotus Leaf: rich and comforting, with pieces of pork, sausage, and mushroom
Lu Lu also offers a variety of Chinese seafood dishes, which makes it a good choice for an overall Cantonese dining experience. Best Dim Sum St Louis
2. Wonton King
Address: 8116 Olive Blvd, University City, MO 63130
Best For: Real Hong Kong-style dim sum and traditional flavor
Price Range: $–$
Hidden just a short distance from Lu Lu, Wonton King provides a bit more low-key, but equally real dim sum experience. This unassuming restaurant is famous for its commitment to old-school Hong Kong-style cuisine and its flawless preparation of classics.
What to order:
Chicken Feet in Black Bean Sauce: a delicacy rendered properly here tender, flavorful, and deeply spiced
Turnip Cake: crispy outside, soft and savory inside
Steamed Spare Ribs: fall-off-the-bone pork ribs with garlic and fermented black beans
Egg Custard Tarts: the ultimate sweet finish, with flaky pastry and rich custard
No frills decor, but yes to good food and prompt service. Dim sum is available seven days a week, with weekend brunch offering the best selection and service.
3. Private Kitchen / St. Louis Soup Dumplings
Address: 8106 Olive Blvd, University City, MO 63130
Best For: Soup dumplings and upscale Shanghai-style small plates
Price Range: $–$$
Private Kitchen is a high-end, reservation-only Chinese restaurant specializing in sophisticated dishes. But the chef’s amazing xiao long bao (soup dumplings) are made available to the masses by its subsidiary brand, St. Louis Soup Dumplings.
Though not a full Cantonese dim sum cart offering, the menu features small plates ideal for sharing and tasting:
Xiao Long Bao: delicate dumplings packed with hot, savory broth and ground pork
Scallion Pancakes: crispy, flaky, and addictive
Marinated Wood Ear Mushrooms: a cold dish with a crunchy texture and tangy bite
Private Kitchen has won kudos for its precision and authenticity, and it’s perfect for those interested in venturing beyond Cantonese dim sum and into Shanghai territory.
4. Mandarin House
Address: 9150 Overland Plaza, Overland, MO 63114
Best For: budget-friendly and family-style dim sum
Price Range: $–
Mandarin House is a venerable institution serving Chinese-American and traditional Cantonese fare. Though not strictly a dim sum house, it provides a decent selection of dim sum staples, especially on weekends.
Highlights include:
Pan-Fried Dumplings: crunchy bottoms and tender insides
Sesame Balls: chewy mochi-like exterior surrounding sweet red bean paste
Spring Rolls: crunchy and full of veggies or meat, served hot from the wok
The restaurant is friendly and relaxed, perfect for large groups or families who will appreciate a loose meal with much choice. Best Dim Sum St Louis
5. Dim Sum House (Inside United Provisions)
Address: 6241 Delmar Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63130
Best For: Quick, informal dim sum bite
Price Range: $
Nestled within the United Provisions grocery store in the Delmar Loop, Dim Sum House is ideal for patrons wanting great dim sum without a fancy dining experience. It’s a fast-casual place, so no carts or table service, but the food is excellent and flavorful.
Standouts include:
Pork Dumplings: served steamed or pan-fried
Bao Buns: warm, soft buns filled with pork or chicken
Fried Wontons: crispy and fulfilling, excellent for munching
Ideal for a quick lunch, especially if you’re a student or working nearby.
6.What Makes Dim Sum So Special?
Best Dim Sum St Louis isn’t just about eating it’s about community and exploration. The very format encourages trying new things, sharing dishes, and lingering over tea and conversation. Each dumpling, bun, or roll is a small work of culinary art, designed to deliver maximum flavor in just a few bites.
Common types of dim sum are:
Steamed Dumplings: Har gow, siu mai, and xiao long bao
Buns: Baked or steamed, sweet or savory char siu bao and custard buns are a crowd favorite
Rice Noodle Rolls: Delicate sheets of rice noodles wrapped around shrimp or beef
Fried Snacks: Spring rolls, taro dumplings, turnip cakes
Sweets: Sesame balls, mango pudding, egg custard tarts
Best Tips for Dim Sum Experience in St. Louis
Go Early Weekends: Best Dim Sum St Louis is officially a brunchtime experience. Arrive between 10 AM and noon for the freshest and best selection.
Share Everything: Dim sum is shared bring a crowd so you can sample more dishes.
Don’t Skip the Tea: Tea is not merely a beverage it’s a fundamental component of the meal. Jasmine and chrysanthemum are favorites.
Ask What’s Fresh: The most delicious dishes may not necessarily be listed on the menu. Ask your waiter what’s freshly prepared for the day.
Try Something New: Venture out of your comfort zone. You may be surprised at how much you like something like chicken feet or taro cake.
Final Thoughts
St. Louis may not be a traditional dim sum hotspot like San Francisco or New York, but its offerings are deeply authentic, lovingly prepared, and increasingly diverse. Whether you’re in the mood for classic Cantonese flavors or experimental Shanghai small plates, you’ll find something delicious in this Midwestern city.
So the next time you’re in the mood for dumplings, buns, or egg tarts, bypass the frozen foods aisle and visit one of Best Dim Sum St Louis top dim sum restaurants. It’s more than just a meal it’s an experience worth relishing, a little plate at a time.
If you’re talking comfort food that has all the right notes savory, sweet, crispy, chewy, delicate, and bold Best Dim Sum St Louis is difficult to top. A result of the Cantonese experience of yum cha (tea drinking), dim sum is a dining tradition centered around communal sharing. Tiny, beautifully crafted servings are served at the table, frequently on roving carts, so customers can experience a great range of tastes and textures in a single meal. From tender pork buns to delicate shrimp dumplings and egg custard tarts, there’s something for everyone at Best Dim Sum St Louis.
Although Best Dim Sum St Louis might not be the place that immediately springs to mind when you consider real Chinese food, it has quietly built up a lively dim sum culture. In areas such as University City, where immigrant groups have imported culinary cultures with them, you can taste restaurants that compete with larger coastal metropolises.
so the next time you catch yourself craving buns, dumplings, or egg tarts, eschew the frozen food section and make your way to one of Best Dim Sum St Louis top . It’s not just a meal it’s an experience to be savored, one tiny plate at a time.