Delicacy Chinese Bistro in Columbia: Dim Sum, Hand-Pulled Noodles, and Sichuan Specialties

What to expect at Delicacy Chinese Bistro

Delicacy Chinese Bistro is a casual dining spot in Columbia that focuses on regional Chinese cooking rather than Americanized takeout. The menu centers on dim sum served from carts during lunch hours, hand-pulled noodles made to order, and Sichuan dishes built around chili oil and numbing spice. The dining room is modest—tables are close together, service moves quickly, and the atmosphere is built for conversation and sharing plates.

The restaurant operates as a family-run business, and the kitchen staff are visible from the dining room. Dim sum carts roll through during peak lunch service, and servers call out what's available as they pass. If you arrive during off-peak hours or for dinner, you order from the menu instead. The space fills up fast on weekends, especially around noon, so arriving early or making a reservation is practical.

Key Takeaways

• Dim sum is served from carts during lunch hours, with servers calling out dishes as they pass your table.
• Hand-pulled noodles and Sichuan specialties are made fresh to order and represent the core of the dinner menu.
• The restaurant is small and fills quickly on weekends, so plan to arrive early or call ahead.
• Prices are moderate for the portion sizes and preparation involved, with most entrees in the mid-range for Columbia dining.

Dim sum service and what to order

Dim sum at Delicacy runs during lunch service, typically from late morning through early afternoon. Carts circulate with bamboo steamers stacked three or four high, holding dumplings, buns, rolls, and other small plates. You signal the server when something catches your eye, and they place it on your table. The bill is calculated at the end based on the number and type of plates you've taken—each color or style of plate carries a different price.

The dim sum menu rotates based on what the kitchen has prepared that day, so you won't see a printed list. Shumai (open-topped pork dumplings), har gow (shrimp dumplings in translucent wheat starch wrappers), and char siu bao (barbecue pork buns) are standards. Turnip cakes, chicken feet in black bean sauce, and sticky rice wrapped in lotus leaf appear regularly. If you're new to dim sum, asking the server what's popular or what they recommend is the normal approach—they know what's fresh and what pairs well.

Hand-pulled noodles and noodle soups

Hand-pulled noodles are made fresh in the kitchen and arrive at your table within minutes of ordering. The texture is chewy and slightly irregular, with a bite that dried or machine-cut noodles don't have. They're served in broth or tossed with sauce, depending on the dish. Beef noodle soup, chicken noodle soup, and vegetable noodle soup are the main options, and each comes with your choice of noodle thickness.

Sichuan-style noodles with chili oil and numbing spice are a signature preparation. The heat builds as you eat, and the Sichuan peppercorn creates a tingling sensation on your tongue—that's the intended effect, not a flaw. If you prefer milder food, tell your server when ordering, and they can adjust the spice level. The broths are simmered for hours and carry deep flavor from bones, aromatics, and spices.

Sichuan dishes and regional specialties

Beyond noodles, the menu includes Sichuan classics like mapo tofu (silken tofu in a spiced meat sauce), kung pao chicken, and chongqing chicken (fried chicken tossed with dried chilies and Sichuan peppercorn). These dishes are built on layers of flavor—garlic, ginger, scallion, and chili oil work together rather than one dominating. The heat is real, but it's balanced with sweetness and umami from soy sauce and sesame oil.

Seafood dishes like salt-and-pepper shrimp and whole fish preparations are available, though availability depends on what's fresh that day. Vegetable dishes—bok choy with garlic, eggplant with chili sauce, and stir-fried mushrooms—round out the menu. Ordering family-style, with multiple dishes shared across the table, is how the restaurant is designed to be eaten.

Beverages and what to drink

Tea is the standard beverage during dim sum service. The restaurant offers several varieties—jasmine, oolong, and pu-erh are common—and servers pour hot water to refill your cup throughout the meal. You can order by the pot, and the cost is modest. Beer and soft drinks are also available, though tea pairs better with the food and is what most tables choose.

During dinner service, beer and soft drinks are the main options. The restaurant does not serve alcohol beyond beer. Water is provided automatically, and refills are frequent.

Hours, location, and how to visit

Delicacy Chinese Bistro is located in Columbia and operates six days a week, typically closed on Mondays. Lunch service runs from late morning through early afternoon, and dim sum is available during those hours. Dinner service begins in the late afternoon and runs into the evening. Hours can shift seasonally or for holidays, so checking ahead by phone is wise before making a special trip.

The restaurant does not take reservations for dim sum service, but you can call ahead for dinner to secure a table, especially on weekends. Parking is available on-site or on the street nearby. The space is small, so large groups should call in advance to confirm the kitchen can accommodate them.

Price range and what meals typically cost

Dim sum pricing is per plate, with prices varying by the type of dumpling or bun. A typical dim sum lunch for one person runs between fifteen and twenty-five dollars, depending on how many plates you take and what you order. Shrimp and seafood dumplings cost more than pork or vegetable ones. A table of two or three people sharing dim sum usually spends thirty to fifty dollars total.

Dinner entrees—noodle soups, Sichuan dishes, and seafood preparations—range from twelve to twenty dollars. Rice and noodle dishes on the lower end, specialty proteins and seafood on the higher end. Ordering multiple dishes to share is common, so a dinner for two might run thirty to fifty dollars before beverages and tax. The portions are generous, and leftovers are normal.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Dim sum is a style of service where small plates of dumplings, buns, and other items are brought to your table on carts, and you choose what you want as they pass. It's traditionally a lunch meal in Cantonese cuisine. Regular Chinese entrees are ordered from a menu and brought to the table as full plates. Delicacy offers both.

Do I need to know what everything is to order dim sum?

No. Servers expect questions and can describe what's on each cart. If you're unsure, pointing and asking is perfectly normal. Many people new to dim sum do exactly that. Servers also know which items are popular and can steer you toward things you're likely to enjoy based on your preferences.

Can I get dim sum at dinner time?

Dim sum service is typically lunch only, running from late morning through early afternoon. At dinner, you order from the menu instead. If you want dim sum, plan to visit during lunch hours. Calling ahead to confirm the exact times dim sum is available is a good idea.

Is the food very spicy?

Many dishes, especially the Sichuan specialties, are built on chili oil and spice. You can tell your server if you prefer milder food, and they can adjust the heat level or recommend dishes that are less spicy. Dim sum items are generally milder than the dinner menu. Not everything on the menu is hot—vegetable dishes and some seafood preparations can be ordered without heavy spice.

What should I order if I'm visiting for the first time?

During lunch, try the dim sum carts and ask your server what's popular that day. Shumai, har gow, and char siu bao are good starting points. At dinner, hand-pulled noodle soup is a signature dish and a safe introduction to the kitchen's style. Ordering a few dishes to share lets you taste different preparations without committing to one large entree.