Situated at the heart of China Town, Winsor Dim Sum Cafe is a short walk from Boston’s South Station – take the Commuter Rail from Wellesley Square and you’re there in only 35 minutes.
The outside of Winsor is fairly noticeable, with its bright yellow banner and signs directing potential customers to the small, second-floor restaurant. Unlike other restaurants where customers are given there own tables to sit at, my two friends and I were asked to sit with a Chinese couple. Though slightly cramped, I enjoyed the cozy atmosphere and perks of sitting with natives who knew more about the menu.
We were given a long sheet of paper, which we had to mark ourselves to place an order, along with a laminated menu that came with pictures. The three of us started with steamed shrimp dumplings, fried stuffed eggplant and steamed roast pork buns; each plate cost $3.15. After the anxious wait, our food finally came out.
I began my full course of food with the steamed shrimp dumplings. The outside of the dumpling was thin and sticky but the inside was chewy, juicy and flavorful, just what I had been looking for. It was definitely a change from the frozen shrimp dim sum that I had at home. Next came the steamed roast pork buns. These reminded me of the Korean dessert jjinbbang, a steamed rice bun with a sweet red bean filling, but these Winsor pork buns had a sweet pork filling. I would have appreciated more generous portions of this pork since by the end I was biting off the bread. But in general, the roast pork buns were definitely the most filling. I then tried the fried stuffed eggplant. I only ordered these because my friend was convinced that they looked delicious in the pictures. I was not expecting anything amazing because I am not a fan of vegetables. But this dish proved me wrong. The fried eggplant and fried shrimp, which was stuffed inside the eggplant, unexpectedly complemented each other. The dish was something different and new yet amazing.
My Chinese friend who promised that she would only compliment the restaurant if it was somewhat close to authentic Chinese dishes left Winsor promising us that she will come back. She made conversation with the Chinese couple and asked them to order us xiao long bao, soup dumplings, which were delicious and all of us were craving. The restaurant didn’t seem to be a tourist spot with the smaller groups and plenty of Chinese natives, and it reminded me a lot of the dim sum restaurant that I went to during my trip to Hong Kong. Overall, I would recommend Winsor Dim Sum Cafe as the place for dim sums until I manage to find somewhere better.
Located on the main road south of Boston’s China Town gate, Great Taste Bakery caught my eye due to the long line of customers stretching onto the sidewalk. While standing in line I had to peer over the shoulders of others to see what I wanted to buy. The employees only spoke Chinese and so when I asked “are these all mooncakes,” the woman only stared and started to laugh with another colleague. Unfazed by the intimidating workers’ comments, I walked out with my red and green bean cakes assuming that they were mooncakes.
The inside of these mooncakes were completely filled with red or green bean, and the outside pastry was not too crunchy or chewy; it was just right. I would definitely visit this bakery again, only after learning some basic Chinese and having enough cash to pay for my purchase because they only take cash. Most customers were walking out with big bags of multiple mooncakes and cakes.
**Remember that most restaurants in China Town only take cash so that you can take advantage of the full experience.
My friends and I went inside around 5:00 p.m. to avoid the infamous long line that most reviews were complaining about online. On our way out after about one hour, the wait was one hour and thirty minutes at the least.
The hot pot is the most well-known item of the Q’s menu. But wanting to leave a little space in our stomach for a second course of dim sums, we ordered the spicy tuna roll, crazy roll and shrimp house fried rice.
The rolls were extremely filling, and we regretted ordering too much for a party of only three people. The fried rice was not as delicious as the rolls because we had expected the typical sticky rice that I was used to making and eating at home. The other rice and entree dishes on the menu may offer something more special.
The price range of these foods can be intimidating for a full-time college student. Some of the customers were dressed in fancy clothing and the ambiance of the restaurant did not suggest a casual dinner setting with friends. My friends and I honestly felt fairly uncomfortable on our way in and out of the Q. This would be a place more appropriate to visit with family.
With another branch in Allston, Bonchon Chicken recently opened a store in Harvard Square, replacing Yogurtland which was right underneath Shake Shack. Most people go to Bonchon for the chicken. But considering the fact that I visited Bonchon during Chuseok, a major Korean holiday, I wanted to go for some good Korean food that would remind me of home.
My friend and I ordered bibimbap, rice with an assortment of vegetables and spicy sauce, galbi, marinated beef, and tteokbokki, rice cakes and noodles in a thick spicy broth. The food was of course not as good as what I was used to eating at home: unnecessarily salty galbi and flavorless bibimbap. But the dishes did remind me of the different restaurants that I used to go to with family and friends back at home.
Having eaten Korean food once now makes me crave other dishes. Until I find a more authentic Korean restaurant, Bonchon is going to be my go-to place for the most common Korean meals.