Saturday, March 21, 2009

dim sum/chinese: i strongly recommend CHAO PING JI



CHAO PING JI
at San Want Hotel, 2 FL
No. 172, Zhong Xiao East Rd., Sec. 4
(02) 2772-2121 ext. 2200, 2201

website: sanwant.com English, Chinese and Japanese

M-F
Lunch 11:30am - 2:30pm; Dinner 5:30pm - 9:00pm

Saturday~Sunday
Lunch 11:00am - 2:30pm; Dinner 5:30pm - 9:00pm

$$

Kid friendliness: high chairs available and lots of kid pleasing dim sum options

Visit reviewed: 12/22/2008
Previous review: 5/2007


rice noodle sauteed with XO sauce


After a few impromptu visits to Chao Ping Ji without my camera, I finally had it on me, with the battery charged, ready to capture the har gow in all its close-up beauty. Quite a few of my friends declared Chao Ping Ji the best dim sum in town and it seems that the readers of this blog agree- as it won "Best Dim Sum" award in the 2008 Best of Taipei Reader's Choice Poll.



All the dim sum favorites- har gow (shrimp dumpling in translucent wrapper), siu mai and luo bo gao (pan fried radish cake)- quickly got snatched up by chopsticks. If you're looking to try some new things, you should order the you tiao chang fun or rice noodle with fried doughnut in the center and the rice noodle sauteed with XO sauce.


rice noodle with you tiao


Between the goose and the chicken, the goose is moister and more unique.


goose



chicken with potato chips


I probably wouldn't order the oily crispy taro thing- I can't even remember was it taro or mushroom?



Everything tastes fresh and flavorful. Everything you'd expect from a hotel restaurant and more- the extensive menu is in English and Chinese. The decor is elegant and restaurant is family friendly, with private rooms available. It was pretty packed all the times we went, so call ahead for reservations, especially if you have a larger group.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

your blog is gorgeous! and i am SO HUNGRY NOW. i have a long layover in taipei next week, so i thought i'd ditch the airport and try to get a savory meal. your blog has shown me that there are many options! if you find time, will you tell me, if there any place in particular that is delicious and accessible to the airport?? i'm bookmarking you, keep up the great work. :-)

joanh said...

Hi Sheena!! How long is your layover? Taipei city is about half hour from the airport and definitely worth checking out if your layover is long.. What time of day? What kind of food?

Anonymous said...

you take quite nice photos joanh, you obviously know some techniques. these pictures look delicious

Pauline said...

mMmMm!! dim sum! :D

joanh said...

dennis: thanks!! years of practice!

Anonymous said...

Their goose and shrimp dumplings are the best in taipei (well I think), great review

Anonymous said...

That chicken should be with shrimp chips not potato chips.


Ann

Anonymous said...

Nice blog!
Although I need to disagree on this particular post. Went to try this dim sum restaurant and honestly, if this is one of the best you can get in Taipei,I reckon I'll forfeit dim sum for the time being.
Plus the place is somewhat cramped and the staff needs a brushing up - chairs with unidentified crumbs on them when you arrive - seriously??

:)