The Dumpling Empress

I was recently invited to a dimsum party at New Capital in the SGV.   There were several items that we got that I wished I had taken pictures of,  but more often when the "Lazy Susan" gets in front of me it's either empty or half full.   The food was good though.  So I decided to do my own dimsum escapade to Empress Pavillion in Chinatown DTLA.  Getting into the restaurant on the weekend can be tough, sometimes you have to be there by 10 am to get in by lunch.  I made it a point go there during the week to avoid this.  There's validated parking in the back, and with 4 levels of parking you will probably find a spot.  You are greeted by a Maître d' who then takes you into a huge ballroom and to your seat.  Once there, you are on your own with choices, choices, and more choices.  Straggling along the lanes of the restaurant are these moving carts filled with sumptious goodies waiting to be discovered.

(From L-R) Pork and Shrimp Siumai, Shrimp and Vegetable Dumpling,  Scallops and Vegetable Dumpling,  Steamed Pork Spareribs.

(From L-R) Steamed Tofu Skin with Enoki Mushrooms,  Steamed Chicken Feet,  Roasted Suckiling Pig,  Steamed Rice with Spareribs with Chinese Sausage.

The stand-outs were the Tofu skin with the Enoki mushrooms,  there is a delightful play in your mouth with the textures and flavors,  the enoki mushrooms have that loud crunchiness when you bite in, and the Tofu skin wrap is so smooth like silk on your tongue and has a wonderful almost meaty texture.  The only drawback with this is that the Enoki mushrooms keeps getting in between your teeth.  Both the Shrimp and vegetable dumplings and the Scallop and vegetable dumplings   were delicious, fresh, lots of flavor bursting out from the light and thin dumpling wrap into you mouth when you bite in.  

Empress Pavillion

988 N Hill St.,  Ste 201

Los Angeles, CA 90012

(213) 617-9898

** Dimsum served only until 2:30 pm