Dim sum — literally "touch the heart" in Cantonese — is Houston's most beloved Chinese brunch tradition. The city's massive Chinatown along Bellaire Blvd is home to some of the best dim sum in the entire American South, with restaurants serving everything from classic har gow to inventive truffle shu mai. While traditional pushcarts became less common after 2020, Houston's dim sum scene has evolved beautifully — old-school banquet halls coexist with modern all-day spots, and the dumplings keep getting better. Whether you're a dim sum veteran or a first-timer, here's where to find Houston's best.
Fung's Kitchen
Houston's original dim sum destination, open since 1990 and seating close to 800. Push carts roll through on weekends with over 100 items in rotation. Start with har gow and shu mai, then move to pork and preserved egg congee, crispy taro puffs, and roasted pork belly. The weekend steam table rewards repeat visits.
HK Dim Sum
Order-by-pencil-and-sheet dim sum, no carts — the food comes straight from the kitchen piping hot. Plump har gow and siu mai, fried shrimp balls with a proper crunch, shrimp-stuffed eggplant, sticky rice, and a shrimp wonton soup that doubles as a meal in itself.
Ocean Palace
All-day dim sum with limited push-cart service on weekends. The dining room is elegant — lazy-Susan tables built for groups of eight or more. The kitchen experiments with truffle shu mai and squid ink har gow alongside the classics. Located at the Hong Kong City Mall entrance on Bellaire.
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Arco Seafood Restaurant
Where multi-generational Chinese families go for old-school dim sum, prepared to order by a dedicated chef — no carts, no steam tables. Fried items are the specialty: shrimp puffs with a side of salad dressing, and giant shrimp-wrapped crab claws that look absurd and taste even better. Dim sum served daily until 3pm.
Fine River Dim Sum
A low-key strip-mall spot making fresh dim sum all day. Shu mai is juicy and well-seasoned, har gow is neatly pleated with plump shrimp inside, and the tofu cheung fun is silky enough to justify the drive. Smaller baskets than the banquet halls, but each one is made with more attention.