China #1 Kitchen in Columbia: Cantonese Cooking and Dim Sum

What China #1 Kitchen serves and where to find it

China #1 Kitchen is a Cantonese restaurant in Columbia that specializes in dim sum and traditional Cantonese dishes. The restaurant is located on Devine Street in the Five Points neighborhood, a central spot that draws both regulars and visitors looking for authentic Chinese cooking. The menu centers on small plates served from carts during dim sum service, alongside full-sized entrées of roasted meats, seafood, and vegetable preparations.

Dim sum—the Cantonese tradition of small, shareable dishes paired with tea—is the main draw here. Servers push carts through the dining room during service hours, and you point to what you want. The kitchen also takes orders for dishes not on the carts, so if you have a specific craving or dietary need, you can ask. The space itself is casual and often busy, especially on weekend mornings when families and groups come in for the full dim sum experience.

Key Takeaways

• Dim sum service runs during specific hours, typically weekend mornings and some weekday lunch periods, so call ahead to confirm the day you plan to visit.
• Servers bring carts of small plates to your table; you point to what you want and they stamp your card to track your bill.
• The restaurant is in Five Points on Devine Street, with street parking and a casual, often crowded atmosphere during peak times.
• Beyond dim sum, the menu includes full entrées of roasted duck, seafood, and noodle dishes available during all service hours.

How dim sum works at China #1 Kitchen

If you have never had dim sum, the process is straightforward. You sit down, order tea (usually jasmine, oolong, or pu-erh), and servers begin circulating with carts stacked with bamboo steamers and small plates. Each cart holds different items—dumplings, buns, rolls, and other preparations. You simply point to what looks good, the server places it on your table, and marks your bill card. You pay at the end based on how many plates you ordered.

The variety on the carts changes throughout service, so arriving earlier in the meal period gives you more options. Popular items like har gow (shrimp dumplings) and siu mai (pork and shrimp dumplings) go quickly. If you miss something you wanted, you can ask your server to bring it from the kitchen, though availability depends on what the cooks have prepared that day. Dim sum is meant to be social and exploratory—order a few things, taste, and keep going if you want more.

Menu highlights beyond dim sum

China #1 Kitchen's full menu includes roasted meats that draw people in on their own. Roasted duck, chicken, and pork are prepared in the Cantonese style—skin crisped, meat tender, and often served with a light sauce for dipping. These come as half or whole portions and pair well with steamed rice or noodles. The kitchen also prepares seafood dishes: shrimp, scallops, and fish prepared with ginger, scallions, black bean sauce, or other classic Cantonese seasonings.

Noodle and rice dishes round out the menu. Chow mein, chow fun (wide rice noodles), and fried rice are available with your choice of protein. Vegetable dishes—often prepared simply with garlic and oil or in light sauces—are also on the menu. Many of these full entrées are available during all service hours, not just dim sum time, so if you come outside dim sum hours or want something more substantial than small plates, you have options.

Hours, parking, and what to expect

China #1 Kitchen operates during lunch and dinner most days, with dim sum service typically available during weekend mornings and some weekday lunch hours. Hours and dim sum availability can shift seasonally or due to staffing, so a quick call before you go is worth the effort. The restaurant's phone number is listed in local directories and on Google Maps, where you can also see recent photos and read other diners' experiences.

The Five Points location offers street parking along Devine Street and nearby side streets. The dining room fills up quickly during peak times—weekend mornings for dim sum and dinner hours on weekends—so expect a wait if you arrive without a reservation. The atmosphere is casual and often loud, which is typical for dim sum restaurants. Families, groups of friends, and solo diners all come through, and the energy reflects that mix.

What Cantonese cooking means

Cantonese cuisine comes from the Guangdong province in southern China and is known for emphasizing the natural flavors of ingredients rather than heavy sauces. Cooking techniques include steaming, stir-frying, roasting, and braising. Dim sum itself is a Cantonese tradition that developed in tea houses and has become one of the most recognizable forms of Chinese cooking outside China. At China #1 Kitchen, the Cantonese focus means you will encounter techniques and flavor profiles—like the use of soy sauce, ginger, scallions, and fermented black beans—that differ from Sichuan or northern Chinese cooking.

Understanding this context helps you navigate the menu. Cantonese dishes tend toward lighter, more delicate flavors than some other regional Chinese cuisines. Sauces are often on the side rather than coating the dish. Seafood and pork appear frequently because of Guangdong's coastal location. If you are used to heavier, spicier Chinese-American dishes, Cantonese cooking may feel fresher and less sweet by comparison.

Planning your visit

If dim sum is your goal, go on a weekend morning when the full cart service is running. Arrive early—before 11 a.m. on Saturday or Sunday—to see the widest selection. Bring a group or be ready to share; dim sum is social, and ordering many small plates lets you taste more. If you are new to dim sum, do not hesitate to ask your server what something is or how it is prepared. Most servers are used to explaining the carts and can point you toward popular choices.

If you prefer a quieter meal or want a full entrée, come during a weekday lunch or dinner when dim sum carts are not running. You can order from the regular menu and have a more traditional restaurant experience. Either way, bring cash or confirm that the restaurant accepts cards—policies can vary, so checking ahead prevents surprises at the end of your meal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time to go for dim sum?

Weekend mornings, ideally before 11 a.m., offer the most carts and the widest selection. Weekday dim sum service, if available, is usually quieter. Call ahead to confirm dim sum hours on the day you plan to visit, as they can vary by season or staffing.

Do I need a reservation?

Reservations are not always required, but they are a good idea for larger groups or during peak weekend times. Call the restaurant to ask about their reservation policy and to confirm dim sum service is running that day.

What if I do not know what something on the cart is?

Ask your server. They can tell you what is in each item and help you decide what to try. Dim sum is meant to be exploratory, and servers expect questions from first-time diners.

Can I order from the menu if I do not want dim sum?

Yes. The full menu of roasted meats, seafood, noodles, and rice dishes is available during all service hours. You can order these dishes whether dim sum carts are running or not.

Is there parking nearby?

Street parking is available along Devine Street and nearby side streets in Five Points. The area is walkable, and parking is usually available, though it can be tight during peak weekend times.