88 Chinese Restaurant in Columbia: Dim Sum, Noodles, and Cantonese Classics

What 88 Chinese Restaurant serves and where to find it

88 Chinese Restaurant is a Cantonese-style restaurant in Columbia that specializes in dim sum, hand-pulled noodles, and traditional Chinese dishes. The restaurant operates in the Five Points area, a neighborhood known for its mix of independent shops and dining. You can walk in during lunch or dinner service, or call ahead to reserve a table if you're bringing a group.

The menu leans toward Cantonese cooking—the regional style from southern China that emphasizes fresh ingredients, light sauces, and technique-driven dishes like hand-pulled noodles and steamed dumplings. Unlike Americanized Chinese restaurants that rely on heavy sauces and deep frying, 88 focuses on the flavors and textures that define the cuisine in its home region.

Key Takeaways

• 88 Chinese Restaurant serves dim sum during lunch hours, with carts rolling through the dining room or items ordered from a menu depending on the day.
• Hand-pulled noodles and wonton soup are house specialties, made fresh to order and reflecting Cantonese technique.
• The restaurant is located in Columbia's Five Points neighborhood and accepts both walk-ins and reservations.
• Prices are moderate for the portion sizes and preparation involved, with most entrees in the mid-range for sit-down dining.

Dim sum service and how it works

Dim sum at 88 is served during lunch hours, typically from late morning through early afternoon. In traditional dim sum service, servers push carts through the dining room, stopping at your table so you can point to the items you want. The kitchen steams, fries, or prepares each dish in small portions—usually two to four pieces per order—so you can sample many different things in one meal.

Common dim sum items at 88 include har gow (shrimp dumplings with translucent rice-flour wrappers), siu mai (open-topped pork and shrimp dumplings), char siu bao (steamed buns filled with barbecued pork), and cheung fun (rolled rice noodles with various fillings). You order by pointing or nodding as carts pass, and servers keep a tally on your table. The bill comes at the end based on how many plates you've taken.

If cart service isn't running on a particular day, you can order dim sum items from a printed menu instead. Either way, the portions are designed for sharing, so dim sum works well for groups or for people who want to try several dishes without committing to full entrees.

Hand-pulled noodles and signature soups

Hand-pulled noodles—called la mian in Cantonese—are made by stretching and folding dough repeatedly until it forms thin, chewy strands. At 88, these noodles are prepared to order, which means there's a visible wait but the result is noticeably different from dried or pre-made noodles. The texture is tender but with enough resistance to hold up in broth or sauce without becoming mushy.

Wonton soup pairs these noodles with wontons (small dumplings filled with pork and shrimp) in a clear, savory broth. The broth is typically simmered for hours to develop depth, and the wontons are folded by hand. This dish is a staple in Cantonese restaurants and a reliable indicator of kitchen skill—if the broth tastes thin or the wontons are rubbery, the restaurant is cutting corners.

Other noodle dishes include chow mein (stir-fried noodles with vegetables and protein), lo mein (soft noodles tossed with sauce), and crispy chow mein served with gravy. Each comes with your choice of protein: chicken, pork, beef, shrimp, or vegetarian options.

Roasted meats and clay pot dishes

Cantonese roasting—particularly of duck, pork, and chicken—is a technique that requires a dedicated oven and skill with heat control. The meat is seasoned, hung to dry, and roasted until the skin is crackling and the interior stays moist. At 88, roasted duck and roasted pork are often available as standalone orders or served over rice.

Clay pot dishes are another Cantonese specialty. The food is cooked in a traditional earthenware vessel that distributes heat evenly and keeps the dish hot longer than a regular plate. Common clay pot orders include chicken with mushrooms, beef with black bean sauce, or seafood combinations. The bottom of the pot often develops a slightly caramelized crust that adds texture and flavor.

What to order if you're new to Cantonese food

If you're unfamiliar with Cantonese cooking, start with wonton soup or hand-pulled noodles—both are approachable and show off the kitchen's fundamentals. Har gow (shrimp dumplings) during dim sum are also a good entry point: the wrapper is delicate, the filling is simple, and the quality is immediately obvious.

Roasted pork over rice is another safe choice. The meat is flavorful without being spicy, and the preparation is straightforward enough that you can judge the restaurant's basic technique. If you like it, you can branch into more complex dishes like clay pot chicken or stir-fried leafy greens with garlic.

Avoid ordering dishes that sound "safe" by being heavily sauced or fried if you want to understand what Cantonese cooking actually tastes like. The cuisine relies on ingredient quality and technique, not on masking flavors with thick sauces. A simple stir-fried vegetable dish or a clear soup will tell you more about the kitchen than a sweet-and-sour dish would.

Hours, location, and what to bring

88 Chinese Restaurant is located in Columbia's Five Points neighborhood, an area accessible by car with street parking available nearby. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner most days, though hours vary by day of the week. Calling ahead is a good idea if you're planning to come during peak times (lunch on weekends, dinner on Friday and Saturday) or if you want to confirm that dim sum service is running.

The restaurant accepts cash and card payments. It's a casual, sit-down environment—not fast-casual or takeout-only—so plan for a meal that takes 45 minutes to an hour, longer if you're doing dim sum and want to linger over multiple carts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a reservation at 88 Chinese Restaurant?

Walk-ins are welcome during most hours, but calling ahead to reserve a table is recommended if you're coming with a large group or during busy times like weekend lunch or Friday and Saturday dinner. A reservation ensures you'll have a table ready rather than waiting.

What's the difference between dim sum and regular Chinese food?

Dim sum is a style of service and eating where many small dishes are shared among diners, usually during lunch. Regular entrees are full-sized portions meant for one or two people. Dim sum lets you try many different items in one meal, while entrees are better if you know exactly what you want.

Are there vegetarian options at 88?

Yes. Vegetarian dim sum items like vegetable dumplings and steamed buns are usually available, and the noodle and rice dishes can be ordered without meat. Ask your server what vegetarian options are available on the day you visit.

What should I expect to spend per person?

Dim sum typically costs less per person than entrees because portions are small and shared. Expect to spend between $15 and $25 per person for dim sum, depending on how many carts you order from. Entrees with rice or noodles usually run $12 to $18 per dish.

Is 88 Chinese Restaurant the same as other Chinese restaurants in Columbia?

No. 88 focuses on Cantonese cooking, which is different from Americanized Chinese food or other regional Chinese styles. Cantonese restaurants emphasize fresh ingredients, clear broths, and technique-driven dishes like hand-pulled noodles and dim sum. If you've only eaten at buffet-style or takeout Chinese restaurants, 88 will feel noticeably different.