In Search Of...(largely) Vegetarian Dim Sum

My husband and I invited some new friends out for dim sum this weekend, they accepted, and all was well until I suddenly remembered they are entirely vegetarian. Typically we go to Won Kow (volcanoes) but I don't think they have much in the way of meatless treats. And in the share-and-share-alike style of dim sum, it wouldn't be entirely fair for us to order meat and fish items that our friends couldn't have.

So gosh, where can we go?

Let me know if you find something.

In the interim, for vegetarians and ominivores in search of good Chinese I am a true lover of Yummy Yummy on Broadway.

I love dim sum and wish there were a veg-only dim sum place in Chicago. (There is a great one in New York's Chinatown.)

That said, it isn't as hard as you'd think to have a great vegetarian meal at a dim sum place that serves meat too. As much as I like Phoenix (the fresh silken tofu is divine-smooth, lightly sweet and so fresh), I'd recommend going to a place like Shui Wah, where you can order off a ticket, rather than with carts. Since there is less veg food on the total menu, you can wait a while for a veg cart to go by. The tickets give you a bit more control. And Shui Wah has a great vegetable rice noodle roll. If you think the carts are essential, they'll work to, just plan on a longer meal and lots of communication about the dishes.

When I go, it's nearly always with meat eaters, and we'll get a variety. Usually we'll order one full sized vegetable dish, like snow pea shoots, off the regular menu and then a variety of dim sum. There's lots to choose from: fresh tofu, rice crepe rolls, dumplings, sesame paste or lotus buns. Yum. Keep in mind that a lot of the cakes and dumplings have shrimp or pork thrown in. If I were you, I wouldn't be shy about getting some meat dishes for yourselves. There will be plenty of food and if you're getting a variety of vegetable dishes, no one will feel left out of the experience.

Have fun!

I have heard decent things about this place. I cannot comment as I have not dined there, but there are a few posts on this board, and I found a copy of the menu here:
http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/wXp__hdg ... dunGi39YIg.

While not dim sum, they do have chinese/korean vegan dishes and veggie potstickers.

Sorry, edited to add:

Amitabul
6207 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL 60646
(773) 774-0276

Vegetarian Dim Sum is not entirely impossible. Off the top of my head:

Rice crepe wrapped around Chinese dough fritter
Chive dumplings
Spinach dumplings
Any stir-fried veg from the regular menus

Sweet silken tofu
Coconut pudding
Mango pudding
Fried sesame balls

Not much selection, but still decent enough! I am basing this list off what I remember on Happy Chef's dim sum menu. If you ask the waitresses they can steer you in the right direction.