Dim-Yum

East Ocean Seafood is an ethnic eatery that serves the Chinese cuisine of dim sum. Dim sum is an array of Chinese snacks ranging from different variations of dumplings to pastries to desserts and many other categories. This restaurant’s buzzing atmosphere added a component of hustle and bustle to the outing. The line was out the door and had we not made a reservation, our large party would have been unable to try this delicacy. While this was not my first time at East Ocean Seafood, I am much more open-minded than I was the first time I experienced it. Each food I tried was different from my last visit as there are numerous options. This enhanced the experience. As a white person in a restaurant not of my own culture, it was a slightly difficult task as I was incapable of ordering any dishes myself. I relied solely on my classmates as the people who managed the carts spoke only Cantonese. I put my trust and my taste buds in the hands of my peers, hoping they wouldn’t lie to me about what was in the food. The lazy susan made transferring the food from person to person much easier than having to pass it across great lengths or by multiple people who could drop it and ruin the dishes.

As for the food itself, we were only able to try a select handful of items. While unsure of the proper names of some of them, the descriptions work well enough, especially when not being of Chinese descent. The Shumai contained pork and was simply one of the best items I tasted while there. It was similar to a California roll in shape but tasted similar to the interior of a pork dumpling. It was slightly salty with a unique mix of spices that collided together to make one spice in which the separate components could not be distinguished, and only the chef could know what was truly in the dish. That made it more mysterious. As for the fish cakes, the deep fry held them together well and was neither too soggy nor crispy while the inside remained light. It also added crunch and flavor. Each bite was clean, and one did not have to work to consume this comestible. While the few pieces of corn were a weird contrast to the flaky, white cake, after biting into it, one could not even taste the corn nor feel the different shape in the texture as all of the elements were combined nicely. As for the sesame bun, while I was expecting a sort of bread flavor, this was not the case. This bun was dry, flaky, and yellow with sesame seeds layering the top, but also a bit sweet. In a way, the sensation was similar to that of cinnamon in which it was sweet but sucked the moisture out of one’s mouth. The second it touched one’s tongue, one needed to take a sip of water or herbal tea to get it down successfully. Then there were rice noodles, of which we ordered two types. For both, the outside was white, somewhat translucent, and similar to jello in texture. It was flavorless and was more of a binding component than for taste. The first was the pork. In this, the filling was similar to the Shumai, and the pork was not bland or dry. Instead, it had a combined mixture of other flavors as well. As for the beef, the inside was fatty and chewy, but similarly seasoned to the pork as they contained a few of the same flavors, and it did not come from the exterior. Next was the pork bun. The interior of the pork bun was different from any other pork dishes tasted previously. This pork was red and drenched in spare rib sauce. The bun was fluffy, sweet, and disintegrated slightly in one’s mouth while eating it, meaning there most likely was a lot of sugar in it. The bun may have been a bit too fluffy as the taste of the bun emerged more than that of the pork. There was a good contrast between the spiced interior and sweet outside, but it would have tasted even better had the two flavors been more balanced. Last but certainly not least is the chicken feet. This was a scary experience as I did not know how to go about eating it, but after having it explained to me, I was even more terrified. Having to spit out the bones while eating is too hard of a task. What if I swallow the bones and choke while making a mockery of myself in this restaurant? So, I went for the non-traditional way and picked the skin off of the bones instead. The seasoning was strong, and it had a unique but bizarre taste I had never experienced before, and I was not a fan of it. I’m unsure if it was the thought of what it was that deterred my sense of taste with mind over matter, but regardless, this option was not one I would try again. While I did not enjoy this, many in the restaurant did as when we attempted to order a second serving, they had run out.

Considering the large abundance of food we were able to try among the thirteen of us, the price was quite small coming to only $149 with tip. However, alcohol was not included due to the presence of minors. Other than the chicken feet, I would consume these dishes again because while they were not my favorite compared to other foods I have tried, they were still enjoyable, and it was a nice change in flavor. East Ocean Seafood is a great place to try no matter what culture one comes from as there is something enjoyable for everyone, but even if not, it still is a fascinating experience as one tries foods they may never even have known existed.