The Place: Dim sum is not meant for solo diners. I know that, but here I was trying to get a quick meal before a tour and it was my one opportunity to eat at this well-regarded dim sum hall in Chinatown.
House of Joy is, as you expect, a large banquet hall that seems like a wedding in Hong Kong where you don’t know anybody, but feels like everybody else does. I quickly became friendly with the older Chinese couple at my table who come here for a feast once a week and take all their leftovers home for the week.
As the carts came rolling by, I knew I wanted the red rice rolls which is a specialty here and not something I believe that I have tried before. Alas, I watched cart after cart go by and these were not yet available. The ladies pushing the carts kept telling me they were coming. If I was here with friends, I could have socialized and ate a few things while I waited. But I had places to be and so ultimately picked the closest plate that called my name.
The Dish: And so that’s how I had the Steamed Pork and Shrimp Siu Mai, but if I had been with a group, there is absolutely no question this would have ended up on the table. It’s a classic dim sum dish and these were quite good. A meaty combo of rich pork meat and briny shrimp was nestled inside the open-faced delicate wrappers. They were a very nice consolation prize and truly, when I come back to House of Joy, I may just have to order these right away while I wait for the elusive red rice rolls. Price: $6.75
| HOUSE OF JOY |
| 28 Pell Street (between Mott Street and Bowery), Chinatown (212) 285-8688 |
| houseofjoynyc.com |
