| Cantonese tea China Palace

🌟 Dim Sum Highlights: Most Picks Are Winners Stick to these classics, and you won’t go wrong: Shrimp Dumplings (Ha gow): 🦐 A dim sum staple, and they nail it—plump dumplings with juicy shrimp inside, thin (not tough) wrappers. Fresh and flavorful, no complaints. Salted Egg Yolk Buns (Liu sha bao) & Custard Buns: 🥞 The custard buns are bigger than expected, with a flaky crust like pineapple buns—sweet, creamy, and way tastier than I imagined. The salted egg yolk buns are just as good, with oozing, rich filling. Sticky Rice in Lotus Leaf (Lo mai gai): 🍚 The glutinous rice is fragrant, packed with mushrooms, pork, and chestnuts—hearty and savory, perfect for a filling bite. Spare Ribs in Black Bean Sauce: 🐷 Tender ribs coated in savory black bean sauce—fall-off-the-bone soft, with a hint of umami. Radish & Beef Offal Stew: 🥢 Warm, comforting, and well-seasoned. The radish is soft, and the beef offal (like tripe) is tender—great for cold days. Purple Rice Coconut Pudding: 🍥 Sweet, creamy, and not too heavy. The coconut flavor shines, and the purple rice adds a nice chewy texture—perfect for ending the dim sum spread. Pro tip: Skip the congee—I tried it last time, and it was just “okay” (thin, not very flavorful). 🍲 Savory Dishes: Solid, But With Small Flaws The main dishes are decent, though a few could use tweaks: Black Pepper Beef Ribs: 🥩 The flavor is spot-on (rich, peppery, and savory), but the ribs are a little tough—chewy enough to be noticeable, but not inedible. Roast Duck: 🦆 Half a duck is a generous portion, with crispy skin and tender meat. It’s “middle-of-the-road” good—no wow factor, but satisfying if you’re craving roast duck. Eggplant in Fish-Fragrant Sauce (Clay Pot): 🍆 The eggplant is cooked perfectly—soft, melt-in-your-mouth, and soaked in the sweet-savory sauce. A classic, done right. Tofu Clay Pot: 🥘 My personal favorite! The tofu is silky, and the sauce is savory with a hint of umami—warm, comforting, and great with rice. Beef Chow Fun: 🍜 It’s “fine”—the noodles are soft, the beef is tender, but it’s a little under-seasoned. Add a splash of soy sauce, and it’s better. 📍 Logistics & Tips Location: 2905 Washtenaw Ave, Ypsilanti, MI 48197 – Easy to get to via Bus Route 4 (no car needed!), which is perfect for students. Vibe: Casual, family-friendly, with Chinese decor (think red lanterns and traditional prints)—feels welcoming, not stuffy. 🌟 Final Verdict: Ann Arbor’s Go-To for Dim Sum Cravings China Palace isn’t “life-changing,” but it’s the most reliable dim sum spot near Ann Arbor. Whether you’re grabbing weekend dim sum with friends or a weeknight dinner, it delivers solid flavors and no big misses. If you’re craving Cantonese comfort food, this is your best bet in the area. #MyFoodDiary #AnnArborFoodie #UniversityOfMichiganAnnArbor #CantoneseFood #DimSum #MichiganFood #ChinaPalaceYpsilanti