First Ever Dim Sum

[Eils]

Hi,

I am goign to HK for the first time in four weeks and was hoping someone can advise on Dim Sum.

I have had look at all the other posts and I am really confused......

What I want is tasty dim sum that will satisfy both a fish lover and a meat lover. I am very intrgued by Dim Sum at the Four Season but unsure what other people class " expensive".

We are staying in Causewaybay but are open to eating anywhere, we are hoping to go for Dim Sum on the Friday then head to Stanley after, or is ther a place in stanley?

I just want tasty dim sum cooked fresh in a nice location. Any Suggestions (name and location)?

Thanks
Eils

ps my partner has peanut allergy, can anyone suggest an online transaltion tool that will allow me to find the chinese for peanut allergy?

[Gary Soup]

Plenty of meat and fish (especially shrimp) used in din sum. The peanut allergy is a tough one, though. Peanut oil is a popular oil for deep frying, and peanuts are used in some dim sum items like fun gwor.

I'd suggest you alert the restaurant to the peanut allergy in written form, and stick with high-end venues circumspect enough to want to avoid all possibility of a lawsuit.

[kobetobiko]

Hi Eils,

I absolutely agree with Gary Soup that you should get a doctor note (English should be fine, but if you can get a Chinese copy, it will be even better). Peanut allegy does not really exist in Chinese community or among Chinese people, and I bet a lot of Hong Kong people have never even heard of this. Therefore it will help if you have some sort of doctor statement to show that you indeed is allergic, or else they will simply think you that you are picky or you don't like the taste. Unlike in the US where peanut allergy gets a lot of attention, chefs rarely know about this (I believe). They may not understand the severity of what peanuts will cause you, and may just think that you will have a headache like people who are allergic to MSG. So simply telling them the condition may not be enough.

I also suggest that you stick with high end places, like dim sum at Four Seasons, as they are much more likely to accommodate your request than other smaller / family style dim sum restaurants. To be on the safe side, I will suggest that you call any restaurants that you are planning to go ahead of time and explain to them your condition to see if they can meet your request.