Toledo Area Dim Sum?

Dim Sum in this area is pretty hard to find. I thought I recalled that Wei Wei offered Dim Sum on the weekends?

I've pondered asking the owners of Jing Chuan in the past if they have ever considered having Dim Sum. I do not know if there would be enough interest locally to support it weekly but maybe around Chinese festivals and such. I tried to find a good dim sum locally a few years ago and struck out so will be watchng this post.

Like I mentioned in my original post, I have heard that New Empire has a pretty decent Dim Sum. Apparently they don't have the little push carts like you'll find in big cities, but the food itself is supposed to be pretty good. I'll try and get out there this weekend and report back.

New empire is the only option. The new asian market on central sells a large variety of frozen options I'm very fond of! I eat it every morning! :)

I refrained from responding about New Empire but will give you my $0.02. I haven't eaten there in years - due to the fact that the last time I did, I came down with severe food poisoning.

Prior to that visit, I used to have business luncheons there with a client who thought the place was to die for. I never shared that view. I always thought their food was "ok" at best. To be fair, when I want great Chinese or Asian fare, I head to Ann Arbor or the Detroit Metro area for some truly fantastic (and authentic) cuisine. Tried their Dim Sum once and was unimpressed.

IMHO, Toledo's Chinese restaurants are much like the Mexican restaurants in the area - Americanized and mediocre at best. There are a few exceptions but still nothing that I've found that compares to what can be had a bit to the north.

Didnt New Empire just have a big kitchen fire?

We had the same thing that happened to Foodie at my work after a chow run to New Empire.

None of us have been back since (this happened around 2004.)

that's a real bummer!
i've eaten there a million times (just for dim sum) with zero problemos.

hopefully you guys let them know about your issues. without input from customers, restaurants aren't able to fix the problems!

I eat at New Empire regularly, and their dimsum is great. Never had anything like food poisoning. New Empire did have a small kitchen fire recently, but I believe they've already reopened.

I did, however, recently eat at Asia Town between Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, and it was absolutely horrific. They served cold, wilted food off their buffet. We had to send every single dish back to them because everything was cold. Never again!

What is a good Chinese place in the area? Some place where the dishes marked "hot" actually are spicier than oatmeal? 'Cause dammit, I actually want a meal where I'll be putting the TP in the freezer for the next day...

Wei Wei noodles is pretty great (dorr & Reynolds)

^Agree with upso. IMHO, Wei Wei is the most authentic I've found in this area - but be sure to ask for the authentic Chinese menu as opposed to the "standard" menu you will be handed when you arrive.

i will say, we ate there on sunday and were kind of disappointed with our meals. not a deal breaker or anything, but i do agree to ask for the chinese menu. the americanized stuff is kinda gross.

What exactly is the difference between the authentic chinese menu and the "standard" menu? I like to think I enjoy authentic chienese food, but don't want to get a menu where I have no idea what I'll be ordering.

The biggest difference between authentic and westernized Chinese food is the cornstarch sauces that tend to overpower whatever you're eating.

The cornstarch sauces are so very gross... which is mostly why I don't eat regular Chinese food and will opt for dim sum instead. And dim sum is more fun because you get to eat a little of a million things instead of a lot of gross cornstarch sauce.

Another huge difference is the amount of oil used. Authentic Chinese food shouldn't all be larded up with a bunch of sesame/vegetable/peanut oil on everything.

Also, fried rice shouldn't taste like solidified soy sauce.

With this and other topics that have been getting discussed lately, I'm making an executive decision, which I am at this moment giving myself the power to do, and nominating upso and Foodie to the inaugural "Toledo Action Committee."

Your first order of business is to procure, either by your own creation or by recruitment, a dim sum restaurant that would rival that of any city within 3 hours' driving time.

The location of said restaurant is up to you, though I make formal motion for a downtown spot.

A sushi joint downtown would be great too... I mean... while they're at it.

Good call! That will be Order of Business #2

:)

Order of Business #3 - Get Grumpy's open on the weekend!

Hey, I was dead serious in the "tpd wants more cameras" thread when I said anytime Grumpy's was contemplating a weekend open, to just post a notice and enough of us would surely rally enough people to get down there and make it worth the effort. Like a downtown business support group!

I'm honored at the faith you've placed in me (us). And I wish it were within my power to wave a magic wand and make it so.

The sad reality is, if there was a demand for either - authentic Chinese/Asian and/or good sushi downtown, both would already be there.

I'm sure upso can attest: if the demand was there for Grumpy's to be open evenings and weekends, they'd do their best to accomodate.

Instead, we get the Admiral's Grill and El Vaquero taking up prime restaurant space at the Docks.

love this thread. I've been readin about dim sum and had no idea anywhere around here offered it. I was told years ago by a chinese doctor, who came here right out of school in Toronto, that the Empire on Navarre has great food, but ask for the 'kitchen menu', lol.

I think a lot of family owned Chinese spots do that. And foodie you are absolutely right. It's all supply and demand (and people in the kitchen)

After reading this post I am hoping to take my wife to Wei Wei Noodles for our first visit. I've been a Jing Chuan guy most of my life. I have not been able to locate a menu online. I did see Foodie's notation about requesting the authentic Chinese menu above and plan to. Any suggestions going in?

don't get the pu pu plater. :)

Don't know about dim sum, but we have a bunch of dim wits in city government.

Dannesjkold: One of my favorite dishes is the crispy fried tofu in cilantro sauce. Haven't been there in a while so I'm having trouble remembering the names of the dishes....another I like is bean sprouts that I think are wok fried. Others have said the salt and pepper shrimp are pretty tasty as well. They offer a whole fish that is crispy fried (very light batter) with lots of ginger and garlic that's another of my favorites.

If you like Pho, theirs is tops.

Hope you and your wife enjoy it!

I was tempted to start another thread on Wei Wei's [food] but wanted to follow up with Foodie's note above.

We made it out to Wei Wei tonight and really enjoyed the food. We have not tried Pho and opted to give that a try on our next stop. We ordered the potstickers and the Lettuce wrap appetizers. Both were enjoyable. I think next time I would opt to try the Szechuan Tofu and I will explain why next.

We split a few dinners; we tried the salt and pepper shrimp as well as the Crispy fried tofu in cilantro sauce. While we were waiting for dinner I was more excited about the salt and pepper shrimp but after dinner was served I found myself chopstick jousting against my wife competing for the tofu. The Tofu was Excellent! I have not had much exposure to tofu so it really was a treat and the sauce was excellent. We both enjoyed the salt and pepper shrimp - it was cooked nicely - not oily at all, good flavor, but I think we would opt for something else next time to be a little more creative.

We were both very happy to find another good Asian Restarant in Toledo. We have always liked Jing Chuan's sauces, especially on items like their dry braised beef and chicken. Thanks for the suggestion Foodie. We usually follow quite a bit of your comments as well as a few other contributors as they have panned out nicely.

the tofu is one of our favorite dishes there. it used to be a ton better when it was on the chinese menu... better sauce, and there was lemon grass on top. but the new version is still pretty darn awesome. plus, it's somewhat healthy which is always a plus!

Danneskjold: really glad you enjoyed it. I was wondering if you had dined there yet.

As you undoubtedly noticed, they have an extensive menu. Tough decisions - but a reason to return to try something else.

As for Jing Chuan - best hot and sour soup in the region! At least it always used to be.