Tasty New Traditions: Christmas Day Dim Sum in New York City
We’re pretty big fans of the holiday season. And another thing we’re pretty big fans of? Food. As the festive season approaches, there's a unique and delicious tradition that's becoming increasingly popular among those seeking an alternative to the classic Christmas feast. Forget turkey and stuffing; embrace the warmth of a steaming bamboo basket, the tantalizing aroma of fresh dumplings, and the lively ambiance of a bustling dim sum restaurant. Join us on a culinary journey as we explore the delightful phenomenon of having dim sum on Christmas Day, and discover how it’s become a delightful twist on the holiday season.
Christmas Day in New York City
The holiday season in New York City ramps up long before Christmas Day, and hordes of visitors know it’s a particularly magical place to celebrate the season. Whether you’re attending the star-studded Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting, splurging on a Christmas Lights Carriage Ride, or seeking out fun and free things to do over the holiday season, the options are endless. But on Christmas Day itself, the majority of businesses will be shuttered to observe the day's celebration, food establishments included. But one of the things that we love about New York City is that it’s incredibly diverse. A solid quarter of its estimated 8.6 million population is made up of non-Christians--they include Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs, Atheists, and many, many others. So, on Christmas Day, where do these other New Yorkers congregate for a meal? Turns out, there's a tradition for that! Christmas Day Dim Sum.
Tips, Tricks and Basic Dim Sum Etiquette for Beginners
So you’re intrigued, but a little intimidated, by Christmas Day Dim Sum. You’re not sure what to expect, and you’re deathly afraid of making an embarrassing mistake. Here are a few tips and tricks, and some basic etiquette to prep you for your dim sum outing.
Ask for a fork and spoon if you need them!
Not all members of your party have to partake in dim sum. Feel free to order off the regular menu in addition to dim sum.
If an establishment has traditional dim sum carts, it is the job of the staff to offer you what is on the cart. You do not have to accept any of the items if you aren’t interested in them.
If you choose one or more items from the cart, hand your table’s card to the attendant to note the items that were selected. This is how they keep track of your selections.
If you see a cart in the distance that has items you would like to select for the table, or if the cart is taking a long time to reach you, you can often take your card to the cart and request the dish instead of waiting. They’ll mark the item on the card and you can go on your merry way. However, be careful not to add to congestion if foot traffic is heavy.
If a cart doesn’t come with the selection you want, you can point to the item you want on the menu and the staff will either direct you to the cart with the selection or tell you to wait. Many times they will let their counterparts know to stop by your table.
If there are no carts, but there is a card at your table, simply peruse the menu and select the items on the card, which are typically numbered to help you make your selections.
Dishes are usually identified by size, which determines their price. More expensive items like lobster may be identified as a large dish, even though they are not large in size.
Various sauces are usually tableside and are a big part of the dim sum experience. Dipping food directly into sauces is frowned upon, as they are generally communal. Use serving spoons or pour sauces onto your plate instead.
Where to have Christmas Day Dim Sum in NYC
There are a number of fantastic dim sum purveyors in New York City, but we selected a handful for our guide. We’ve included both cart and no-cart options, and tried our best to note why we’ve recommended them, or what makes them unique. All are open on Christmas Day, but please call for hours since those may change at the last minute.
Nom Wah Tea Parlor
Nom Wah started out as a tea parlor and bakery, serving dim sum on the side, all the way back in 1920. The bakery aspect of the business later faltered and the dim sum became the star of the show. Over the years, Nom Wah has had its ups and downs but has remained a neighborhood institution throughout. This Chinatown staple went through major renovations back in 2010--much of it back of house in the kitchen--and emerged stronger than ever. Upon entering Nom Wah, you’ll still find their memorable eastern parlor meets western diner vibe: the antique fans, the red vinyl booths, the Art Deco tables, and the 1930’s countertop.
Although Nom Wah Tea Parlor is considered the first dim sum parlor in Chinatown, it offers a contemporary dim sum experience. There are no traditional carts navigating the crowded dining room. Everything is laid out simply on the glossy, photo-heavy menu and made to order fresh. Vegetarian and gluten-free items are clearly marked. The only downside? It’s tiny, and there’s usually a wait.
Location:
Jing Fong
Jing Fong once boasted a reputation as one of the largest traditional dim sum banquet halls in Chinatown, with long queues and an escalator carrying throngs of loyal patrons to its second-story, 800-seat dining room. That venerable Elizabeth Street iteration is long gone now though, and its new, smaller digs can be found on Centre Street between Hester and Grand Streets. Though a lot has changed since its reopening, much is also the same. Servers still roll their carts up to your table. You can still select the items you want, and they will mark it off on your card under 3 different price categories: small, medium or large. If you’re not familiar with the fare, ask the friendly servers. There are many standout items on the dim sum menu, but a favorite of ours is the pan-fried shrimp and chive dumplings, which we enjoy so much, we generally request two orders.
At 100 seats, the dining room is not nearly as large as the prior location, but carts may still take awhile to circle around to your table. If you know what you’re looking for, seek the assistance of the attendants stationed around the space. At the conclusion of your meal, you no longer need to trek your ticket to the cashier to settle up your tab like you did in the old days, which is a welcome development, and attendants are very accommodating if you wish to take away any remnants of the meal. This is not always the case at other establishments.
Location:
Buddha Bodai
If the motley crew you’re dining with on Christmas Day happens to include a friend who’s vegetarian as well as a friend who keeps Kosher, fear not. All hope is not lost. Buddha Bodai has you covered.
There are some people who insist a veggie burger is simply not a burger, and those people will likely insist that vegetarian dim sum is simply not dim sum. But many vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike enjoy dining at Buddha Bodai. We found the straight vegetable-based dishes to be preferable to those imitating meat. But as far as mock meat goes, the variety is quite sophisticated and doesn’t resemble the chewy meat alternatives peddled in most supermarkets. There are plenty of vegan and gluten-free options available as well. Oh, and that friend who keeps Kosher? No worries. Buddha Bodai is Kashrut Certified.
Location:
Dim Sum Go Go
The multi-year Michelin and Zagat-rated Dim Sum Go Go is located in the Two Bridges neighborhood of New York City, between the southern end of the Lower East Side and Chinatown. If you’re looking for the traditional experience–carts circling, offering the usual suspects, attendants asking if you want this or that or more of something you quickly devoured–you’re out of luck. But if you have a keen interest in a large selection of innovative dumplings and other Cantonese delicacies, you’ll hit the jackpot here. Dim Sum Go Go is quick to point out that what sets them apart is that they were the first to do dim sum made to order. There are no baskets hanging around on a cart, looking for a home. They also have a menu which clearly marks vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free items, taking the guesswork out for those with dietary requirements.
But for us, one of the biggest draws is the array of vegetarian options. With its own section on the menu, it’s clear these are not throwaway offerings for the stray vegetarian friend. Each dish highlights vegetables for their own sake. You can also order the vegetarian dim sum platter, which offers one of each of their ten vegetarian offerings. One of our favorites dishes here is actually one of their vegetarian options, the Snow Pea Leaf Dumplings, which have a pleasant hit of ginger and garlic. We were also smitten with the standout crab meat, shrimp and Chinese broccoli-stuffed dumplings, spinach-dyed a stunning, verdant green.
Location:
Golden Unicorn
Golden Unicorn opened its doors in 1989. It pioneered Cantonese banquet-style dining, and has been popular with both tourists and Cantonese and Fujianese American locals ever since. When entering the lobby of the office building in which it resides, you’ll find a small podium attended by a host. The host will radio to the bi-level dining room floors to determine if a table is available, or, if you’ve reserved a table, it is ready for seating. From there, you’ll take an elevator to the floor where your table awaits.
Carts circle frequently, and ordering is fairly standard. Point or ask for what you want, the dish is placed on the table, and your card is marked. The big draw here is the incredible variety of offerings. We witnessed carts drop by with staple dim sum items, as well as steaming plates of mussels, plump buns, tarts, soups, and noodles. If you are a dim sum veteran and are looking for a more adventurous culinary experience, Golden Unicorn is a fantastic place to go beyond the typical dumplings.
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Conclusion
So, this Christmas, consider breaking away from the usual holiday routines and embark on a culinary adventure. Join the new tradition of savoring dim sum, and let your taste buds revel in the exquisite flavors of these delightful Chinese delicacies. Whether you celebrate Christmas or simply seek a unique holiday dining experience, dim sum promises to make your day merry and memorable. We wish all of our readers a safe and festive holiday season. And remember, if you don’t have a tradition this time of year, go the route of a true New Yorker--make one of your own.
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