I couldn’t resist the title with the tiny bit of catchy-ness it has.

Dim Sum is always a great meal to enjoy over the weekend — no need to order, just stare, point, nod, chew, repeat, progress to food coma.

I checked out a new place (for me) in DC this past weekend for Dim Sum — Ping Pong in Chinatown.  Not what I expected.  I went in, ready to start chowing down within 5 minutes of sitting.  But, I didn’t see any carts.  Rather, I see a menu and check lists, just like when you order sushi.  ????  — what is that?  So, I find out that you have to literally pick what you want from the menu, check the box on the long, skinny piece of paper then wait 5-20 minutes for your food.  That’s not Dim Sum!

Now a pro to all this — you can’t just pick anything you want off the cart and therefore constantly eat.  You realize what you’ve ordered and have to wait.  Eventually you realize you are full and stop ordering.  Also, you can reserve a table for Dim Sum’ing via Open Table (score! — it was busy and there was no need to stand outside for 30-60 minutes before they opened to be sure we got a table).

Side note — they have this really cool tea with a ‘bag’ — I don’t know the true term — that blossoms into a flower.  Pic below.

To summarize, next time I want this treat, I will go to one of my favorite places with the true tradition.  But, I would like to try this place again out for a ‘regular’ meal as their food was good and I’ve heard they have good happy hours.