The ideal dim sum playground

Food is often defined by flavor, but let’s not forget about texture. Crumbly, velvety, or gooey, food is meant to be felt as much as tasted.

With its myriad of shapes, preparation and ingredients, Chinese dim sum is an ideal playground to explore food’s tactile nature, and Jade Dynasty Seafood Restaurant has a few new items to feel out.

One such sensation is Dynasty Shrimp Tempura (3 for $6.50). To make the tempura, poached shrimp are enrobed in a special dough sourced from China that turns into a crispy, feathery crust when fried. “It’s almost like a net,” says the restaurant’s general manager Gary Chan. One chomp into the brittle exterior and tender interior, and you’ll be hooked.

Another morsel to sink your teeth into is Golden Shrimp and Cheese Bullions (2 for $4.50). Shaped like a boat to resemble the gold currency of ancient China, this dim sum also delights with a dichotomy of textures. The crunchy won ton wrapper yields to a sweet creamy center studded with pieces of shrimp. The idea for the unique take on dim sum, which is filled with a mixture of cheeses, comes straight from Hong Kong where Jade Dynasty’s owners make an annual trip for inspiration.

Though not dim sum, the dinner item Stone Pot Sticky Rice with Chinese Sausage ($12.95) is no less tangibly enjoyable. The traditional Chinese dish (served during winter and the new year) is comprised of mochi rice stir-fried with finely chopped pork belly, lap cheong, shiitake mushroom and egg. The mixture is spooned into a stone pot that’s placed in a very hot oven. The result? “The bottom is crispy,” explains Chan. Tableside, servers carefully break up the rice to distribute the prized crunchy bits.

Visit the restaurant during the month of October to get a taste and a feel for these specials. Good food paired with an elegant, embellished interior and friendly, personalized service will, no doubt, make you feel great.

Jade Dynasty Seafood Restaurant

Ala Moana Center, Hookipa Terrace
1450 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 4220
947-8818
10:30 a.m.-10 p.m. daily
Dim sum served daily until 5 p.m.