Chopsticks House in Columbia: Cantonese Cooking and Dim Sum

What Chopsticks House serves and where to find it

Chopsticks House is a Cantonese restaurant in Columbia that specializes in dim sum and traditional Hong Kong-style cooking. The restaurant sits on Devine Street in the Five Points neighborhood, a walkable area with galleries, boutiques, and other dining options within a few blocks. Cantonese cuisine emphasizes fresh ingredients, quick cooking methods, and subtle seasoning—a different approach from the heavier sauces common in Americanized Chinese restaurants.

The dim sum service is the main draw. Dim sum means "touch the heart"—small plates of dumplings, buns, rolls, and other bites served from carts that move through the dining room. You point to what you want, the server marks your card, and you pay by the number of plates at the end. This format lets you try many dishes in one meal and control how much you spend.

The restaurant also serves full entrees from a printed menu, including roasted meats, noodle dishes, and seafood preparations. Hours and menu details change seasonally, so calling ahead or checking their current information before you go prevents a wasted trip.

Key Takeaways

• Chopsticks House serves dim sum from carts during lunch and early dinner hours, with small plates you select as they pass your table.
• The restaurant is located on Devine Street in Columbia's Five Points neighborhood, an area with parking and other restaurants and shops nearby.
• Cantonese cooking uses fresh ingredients and lighter sauces than many American Chinese restaurants, so the flavors are more delicate and varied.
• You can order from a full menu if you prefer entrees over dim sum, and prices are moderate for the portion sizes and quality.

How dim sum works at Chopsticks House

When you arrive during dim sum service, a server seats you and brings tea and a card to mark your selections. Carts with steaming bamboo baskets and plates roll through the dining room continuously. Each cart holds different items—some focus on dumplings, others on buns or rolls or seafood. You examine what passes, point to what interests you, and the server marks a line on your card and leaves the plate.

Common dim sum items include har gow (shrimp dumplings with a thin, translucent wrapper), siu mai (pork and shrimp dumplings with an open top), char siu bao (barbecued pork buns), and cheung fun (rolled rice noodles with shrimp, pork, or vegetables inside). Vegetable options, egg tarts, and sticky rice wrapped in lotus leaf also appear on the carts. Portions are small by design—the idea is to taste many things.

At the end of the meal, the server counts your plates, calculates the total based on plate size and type, and brings the bill. Most plates cost between a few dollars and ten dollars. Dim sum is typically served from late morning through mid-afternoon, though hours vary by season and day of the week.

The Five Points neighborhood and what's nearby

Chopsticks House sits in Five Points, one of Columbia's oldest and most walkable commercial districts. The area centers on the intersection of Devine, Harden, and Saluda streets and has been a gathering spot for students, artists, and families since the early 1900s. The neighborhood mixes independent restaurants, vintage shops, galleries, and bars with a casual, unpretentious feel.

Parking is street parking or small lots shared among businesses—arrive early on weekends or plan to circle a few times. The neighborhood is compact enough to walk between shops and restaurants, so you can combine a meal at Chopsticks House with browsing nearby galleries or stopping at another restaurant for dessert. The area also hosts events and festivals throughout the year, particularly in spring and fall.

What to order beyond dim sum

If you visit outside dim sum hours or prefer a full meal, Chopsticks House offers a menu of Cantonese entrees. Roasted meats—duck, pork, and chicken—are prepared whole or in pieces and served with rice or noodles. Seafood dishes feature shrimp, scallops, and fish prepared with ginger, garlic, or light soy-based sauces. Noodle soups and stir-fried rice dishes round out the menu.

Cantonese cooking relies on technique and ingredient quality rather than heavy sauces, so flavors tend to be cleaner and more distinct than in other regional Chinese styles. A dish of shrimp with garlic tastes primarily of shrimp and garlic, not of a thick sauce that masks everything. This approach appeals to diners who want to taste what they are eating rather than experience a uniform flavor across the plate.

Pricing and what to expect for your budget

Dim sum is the most economical way to eat at Chopsticks House. A typical dim sum meal for one person—five to eight plates plus tea—runs between twelve and twenty dollars, depending on what you order and whether you choose premium items like shrimp dumplings or seafood. You control the total by stopping when you are full or satisfied with what you have tried.

Full entrees from the menu cost more, typically in the fifteen to twenty-five dollar range for a main dish with rice or noodles. Appetizers and soups are available as starters. The restaurant does not charge a table fee or require a minimum, and tea is usually complimentary during dim sum service. Tipping follows standard restaurant practice—fifteen to twenty percent of the bill is customary.

When to visit and how to prepare

Dim sum service runs during specific hours, usually late morning through early afternoon on weekdays and weekends, though the exact times change with the season. Calling ahead to confirm hours prevents disappointment. Weekday dim sum is typically less crowded than weekends, so you will have more time to examine the carts and make unhurried choices.

Arrive hungry and with an open mind about what you might try. If you have never had dim sum, the experience is half the appeal—the carts, the variety, the small portions that let you taste many things. Bring cash or confirm the restaurant takes cards, as some older establishments in the area operate on cash-only or have limited card processing. If you have dietary restrictions or allergies, ask your server or call ahead, since ingredients and preparation methods are not always obvious from the cart presentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between dim sum and regular Chinese food?

Dim sum is a style of service and a category of small dishes, not a regional cuisine. Cantonese restaurants serve dim sum as small plates from carts, while regular Chinese restaurants serve full entrees plated individually. Dim sum lets you try many flavors in one meal and control portion size and cost.

Do I need to know how to use chopsticks to eat at Chopsticks House?

No. Forks are available if you ask, and many dim sum items are easy to eat with a fork or spoon. Chopsticks are traditional and part of the experience, but the restaurant accommodates diners who prefer other utensils.

Can I make a reservation for dim sum?

Dim sum is typically first-come, first-served, though some restaurants hold reservations for large groups. Call ahead to ask about the policy and whether a reservation makes sense for your party size and timing.

What should I order if I am new to dim sum?

Start with har gow (shrimp dumplings), siu mai (pork dumplings), and char siu bao (pork buns)—these are popular, approachable, and represent the range of textures and flavors dim sum offers. Ask your server for recommendations, and do not hesitate to try something unfamiliar; the small portions mean you can sample without committing to a full plate.

Is Chopsticks House good for groups or families?

Yes. Dim sum is designed for sharing and trying many things, so it works well for groups. Families with children often enjoy the cart experience and the variety of flavors and textures. Call ahead if your group is large, as seating and cart traffic may need adjustment.