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Chen's Chinese Restaurant at Polo Plaza — Cantonese Cooking and Dim Sum in Columbia

By Constance Obi · Culture & Recreation Writer

What Chen's Offers and Where to Find It

Chen's Chinese Restaurant operates at Polo Plaza in Columbia and serves Cantonese-style cooking with a focus on dim sum during lunch hours. The restaurant specializes in traditional steamed and fried dumplings, baked goods, and small plates that reflect the dim sum tradition of Guangdong province. The space accommodates both walk-in diners and groups, with service that moves carts through the dining room during peak hours.

Polo Plaza sits on a main commercial corridor in the midlands, making the location accessible from multiple neighborhoods. The restaurant's setup — with tables arranged for sharing and a kitchen visible from the dining area — follows the typical dim sum house format where you can watch preparation happening in real time. Parking is available in front of and around the shopping center, and the restaurant entrance is street-level with no steps.

Key Takeaways

  • Chen's serves dim sum during lunch service, with carts rolling through the dining room so you can select dishes as they pass your table.
  • The menu includes steamed dumplings (har gow, siu mai), baked char siu bao, spring rolls, and other Cantonese small plates alongside rice and noodle dishes.
  • Dinner service shifts to a full à la carte menu with entrées like whole fish, clay pot rice, and stir-fried vegetables rather than dim sum format.
  • The restaurant accepts walk-ins and reservations, though weekend dim sum service can draw crowds during peak hours between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Dim Sum Service and How It Works

During dim sum hours — typically late morning through early afternoon — servers push carts laden with bamboo steamers and small plates through the dining room. You signal when a cart passes your table, and the server marks your check with each selection. This format lets you try multiple dishes in small portions rather than ordering full entrées, and it reflects how dim sum is traditionally eaten in Guangdong teahouses.

The carts rotate through the dining room on a regular cycle, so if you miss a particular dish the first time, it usually comes around again. Prices are modest per item, and the total bill reflects how many plates you've selected. This makes dim sum a good option if you want variety or are dining with others who have different tastes. There is no minimum order or per-person charge — you pay only for what you select from the carts.

What's on the Menu Beyond Dim Sum

After dim sum service ends, Chen's shifts to a full à la carte menu for dinner. You'll find whole fish prepared steamed or with black bean sauce, clay pot rice dishes with chicken or seafood, stir-fried vegetables, and noodle soups. The kitchen also prepares roasted meats — typically duck, pork, and chicken — that you can order over rice or noodles.

Congee (rice porridge) appears on the menu as a breakfast or light meal option, often served with century egg, pork, or seafood stirred in. Fried rice and chow mein round out the noodle selections. Prices for dinner entrées are moderate, and portions are substantial enough to share or to have leftovers. You can also order from the dinner menu during dim sum hours if you prefer a full entrée to cart selections.

When to Go and What to Expect

Dim sum service typically runs from late morning through early afternoon, with the busiest period on weekends between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. If you prefer a quieter experience, weekday dim sum service is less crowded, though fewer carts may be in rotation. Arriving earlier in the service window or on a weekday reduces wait time.

The dining room has a casual, working atmosphere — this is not a formal setting, and the focus is on food and conversation rather than ambiance. Families with children are common during dim sum service. The restaurant is cash-friendly but also accepts cards. Dinner service begins in the late afternoon and continues into the evening, with a quieter pace than dim sum hours.

Dietary Considerations

Dim sum includes vegetarian options — steamed vegetable dumplings, taro croquettes, and vegetable spring rolls appear regularly on the carts. You can request modifications when ordering from the dinner menu, though the kitchen's primary focus is traditional Cantonese preparation. Seafood is prominent in many dishes, so let your server know about allergies or restrictions.

The restaurant does not maintain a published allergen menu, so if you have serious allergies, ask to speak with kitchen staff directly about ingredients and preparation methods. This conversation is best had before you order, so the kitchen can advise you on what is safe to eat.

Reservations and Takeout

Walk-ins are welcome during dim sum service, though large groups (eight or more) should call ahead to ensure adequate seating. Weekend dim sum can have a wait during peak hours, particularly between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., so arriving earlier or on a weekday reduces wait time.

Takeout is available for dinner menu items. Dim sum is less practical for takeout since the appeal includes the cart service experience, though some restaurants will box up leftover dim sum plates if you've ordered more than you can eat. Call ahead if you want to place a takeout order for dinner service.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between har gow and siu mai?

Har gow are shrimp dumplings wrapped in a thin, translucent wheat starch wrapper and steamed until the wrapper becomes slightly translucent. Siu mai are open-topped pork and shrimp dumplings with a thicker wheat wrapper, also steamed. Both are dim sum staples, and trying both is part of the experience.

Do I need a reservation for dim sum?

Walk-ins are welcome during dim sum service. Large groups of eight or more should call ahead to ensure adequate seating. Weekend dim sum can have a wait during peak hours, so arriving earlier or visiting on a weekday reduces wait time.

Can I order from the dinner menu during dim sum service?

Yes, you can order à la carte dishes anytime the restaurant is open, even during dim sum hours. Many people combine dim sum cart selections with a noodle soup or rice dish ordered directly from the menu.

What if I have a seafood allergy?

Seafood is prominent in many dim sum and dinner dishes. Tell your server about your allergy, and ask to speak with kitchen staff about which dishes are safe. The restaurant does not have a published allergen menu, so direct conversation with the kitchen is the best way to identify safe options.