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Yum Cha Hawaii

Step Up to the Plate

February 25, 2018

Story By: Lynsey Beth Futa |

A CLOSER LOOK AT THIS WEEK’S HOUSE SPECIAL: JUICY PORK DUMPLINGS ($9.99) AND OTHER FAVORITES

The number of dim sum restaurants in Hawaii can seem endless, so it makes sense that in order for these eateries to stand out, they must be able to offer diners something completely unique — such as the irresistibly cute, photo-worthy Piggy Buns at Yum Cha Hawaii.

You’ve probably already seen these adorably sweet creations, as they’ve been trending on social media. Yum Cha offers them and more, with so many other menu standouts, including its made-in-house roasted meat selection.

Savor a whole Roast Cantonese Duck, or dig into Roast Honey Glazed Pork, the latter of which is available for a discounted price during happy hour.

The phrase yum cha translates to “drink tea” in Chinese, and refers to the traditional Cantonese-style brunch, which includes dim sum.

At Yum Cha, dim sum is served daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and doesn’t arrive via pushcarts, but instead is made-to-order from the kitchen. Among Yum Cha’s favorites, Juicy Pork Dumplings — also called xiaolongbao, or soup dump-lings — are a must-try.

The Uraku Tower eatery, located on Kapiolani Boulevard, also is open for dinner and happy hour (4-6 p.m.), and there is ample parking downstairs with an elevator ready to whisk patrons away to dim sum heaven.

Happy Hour Bao Buns ($2 apiece): From 4 to 6 p.m. every day, enjoy happy hour items like Yum Cha’s Bao Buns, which include slices of homemade char siu, Chinese parsley, crushed peanuts and a pleasant plum sauce.

Juicy Pork Dumplings: These soup dumplings are a Yum Cha Hawaii specialty, bursting with savory chicken broth and a minced-pork filling. The foolproof technique to eating these, according to the management team, is to bite the top, slurp up the soup, add fresh slices of ginger and red vinegar, and devour.

Piggy and Doggy Buns ($4.99 per order of two):

All you have to do is ask for these off-the-menu delights, which are made by hand every day. The Piggy Buns are stuffed with a custard-cream filling, while the Doggy Buns — for the Year of the Dog — are filled with black bean.

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