China Taste in Columbia: Cantonese Cooking and Dim Sum in the Midlands

What China Taste offers and where to find it

China Taste is a Cantonese restaurant in Columbia's Five Points neighborhood, known for dim sum service and traditional Cantonese dishes. The restaurant operates from a storefront location and serves lunch and dinner daily, with dim sum available during daytime hours when servers push carts through the dining room. The menu centers on Cantonese cooking—steamed dumplings, roasted meats, stir-fried vegetables, and seafood preparations that reflect the style of southern China's Guangdong province.

The dim sum experience at China Taste follows the traditional format: you sit at a table, servers wheel carts laden with small plates past your seat, and you point to what you want. Dishes arrive hot and in small portions meant for sharing, making dim sum a social meal. The restaurant's Five Points location puts it within walking distance of other neighborhood shops and restaurants, and parking is available on nearby streets and in small lots.

Key Takeaways

• China Taste serves dim sum from carts during lunch and early afternoon hours, with servers bringing selections to your table.
• The menu emphasizes Cantonese specialties including steamed dumplings, roasted duck and pork, and seafood prepared in traditional styles.
• The restaurant is located in Columbia's Five Points neighborhood, a walkable area with street parking and nearby shops.
• Dim sum is designed for sharing among multiple people, so dining with others lets you sample more variety.

Understanding dim sum and how to order

Dim sum translates roughly to "touch the heart" and refers to small plates of food traditionally eaten with tea. At China Taste, the dim sum service works by observation and pointing rather than ordering from a printed menu. Servers push metal or bamboo carts through the dining room; you signal when a cart passes if you want something on it. Each plate typically costs between a few dollars and the mid-range, depending on the ingredient—shrimp dishes cost more than vegetable ones, for instance.

Common dim sum items you will encounter include har gow (shrimp dumplings in translucent wheat starch skin), siu mai (pork and shrimp dumplings with the top open), char siu bao (steamed buns filled with roasted pork), and cheung fun (rolled rice noodles, often filled with shrimp or char siu). Steamed items arrive in bamboo baskets; fried items come on small plates. Servers keep a tally of your plates and calculate the bill at the end, so you do not need to order in advance or commit to a set price.

What to expect during a dim sum meal

Dim sum at China Taste is a leisurely experience meant to last an hour or more. You will be seated at a table, usually shared with other diners if you arrive alone or in a small group—this is standard practice and part of the social nature of dim sum. Tea service begins immediately; you order tea by the pot, and the server will bring a pot and small cups. Green tea, jasmine tea, and oolong are typical choices.

As carts pass, you examine the contents and point to what interests you. The server will place a small plate or basket in front of you and mark your order on a card. If you do not see something you want on the carts, you can ask your server for specific items—not everything is on carts at all times. Pace yourself; dim sum is meant to be unhurried, and new carts will continue circulating. When you are finished, signal your server, and they will total your bill based on the plates you ordered.

Cantonese dishes beyond dim sum

China Taste's full menu includes Cantonese entrees served during lunch and dinner hours. Roasted meats—duck, pork, and chicken—are signature Cantonese preparations, often served over rice or with steamed vegetables. Stir-fried dishes feature seasonal vegetables, seafood, and proteins cooked quickly over high heat with garlic, ginger, and soy-based sauces. Whole steamed fish, a Cantonese classic, is usually available when fresh fish is in stock.

Noodle and rice dishes round out the menu, including chow mein (stir-fried noodles), chow fan (fried rice), and lo mein (soft noodles in sauce). Many dishes can be ordered with your choice of protein—chicken, pork, shrimp, or tofu. Prices for full entrees typically fall in the moderate range, and portions are generous enough for one person or to share.

When to visit for dim sum versus full menu service

Dim sum service at China Taste typically runs during lunch hours and early afternoon, though the exact times vary by day. Calling ahead to confirm dim sum availability is worth doing, especially if you are planning a specific visit. Dim sum is most active during weekend brunch hours, when families and groups gather for the traditional meal. Weekday lunches are quieter but still offer full dim sum service.

If you prefer a quieter meal or want to order specific dishes without waiting for carts, visiting during dinner hours gives you a traditional sit-down menu experience. Dinner service focuses on full entrees rather than small plates, though some dim sum items may still be available. The restaurant's atmosphere shifts between the social, bustling dim sum lunch and the calmer dinner service.

Cantonese cooking and its place in South Carolina

Cantonese cuisine comes from Guangdong province in southern China and emphasizes fresh ingredients, quick cooking methods, and subtle seasoning that lets the natural flavors of food shine through. Unlike some other Chinese regional styles that rely on heavy sauces or spice, Cantonese cooking values the quality of individual components—the sweetness of shrimp, the tenderness of properly steamed fish, the contrast between crispy skin and tender meat in roasted poultry.

In South Carolina, Cantonese restaurants are less common than Americanized Chinese takeout spots, making China Taste a destination for people seeking authentic preparation. The dim sum tradition, in particular, represents a specific cultural practice—a meal format tied to Chinese tea culture and social gathering—rather than a dish adapted for American tastes. Visiting China Taste connects you to a cooking tradition that has shaped food culture across the Southeast for generations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to know Cantonese or Chinese to order dim sum?

No. Dim sum works by pointing at what you want as carts pass your table. If you are unsure what something is, you can ask your server, and they will describe it. Most servers at dim sum restaurants are accustomed to explaining dishes to unfamiliar diners.

Is dim sum expensive?

Dim sum is typically affordable. Individual plates cost a few dollars each, and most people spend between fifteen and thirty dollars for a full meal depending on how many plates they order and whether they choose seafood items, which cost more than vegetable or pork options.

Can I make a reservation for dim sum?

China Taste operates on a first-come, first-served basis during dim sum service. Calling ahead to confirm they are serving dim sum that day is a good idea, especially for weekend visits when the restaurant fills up. Large groups should call to check wait times.

What if I do not like something I ordered?

If a plate arrives and you do not want it, you can simply leave it on the table—you are only charged for what you keep. There is no obligation to eat everything you point to, and servers understand that people are exploring unfamiliar foods.

Does China Taste serve alcohol?

Many Cantonese restaurants serve beer and wine. Contact the restaurant directly to confirm their beverage menu and whether they have a liquor license, as this varies by location and licensing.