First Wok in Columbia: Cantonese Cooking and Dim Sum in the Heart of the Midlands

What First Wok offers and where to find it

First Wok is a Cantonese restaurant in Columbia that specializes in dim sum service and traditional Cantonese dishes. The restaurant sits on Devine Street in the Five Points neighborhood, a walkable area known for independent shops and dining. The space itself is modest—bright, casual, and built for the kind of meal where you sit down and order from carts or a menu, not a quick transaction at a counter.

The dim sum service runs during lunch hours, typically from late morning through early afternoon. This is the draw for many regulars: small plates of dumplings, buns, rolls, and other Cantonese specialties arrive on carts pushed through the dining room, and you flag down servers to add items to your table. It's a social way to eat, and the variety means you can try many things in one sitting without committing to full entrees.

Beyond dim sum, First Wok serves a full Cantonese menu with noodle dishes, rice plates, seafood preparations, and soups. The kitchen handles both the quick, casual dim sum service and more involved dishes that take time to prepare. This dual operation—cart service alongside made-to-order cooking—is what defines the Cantonese restaurant experience, and First Wok executes both sides.

Key Takeaways

• First Wok serves dim sum from carts during lunch hours, letting you sample many small plates in one meal without ordering full entrees.
• The restaurant is located on Devine Street in Columbia's Five Points neighborhood, an area with street parking and nearby shops and galleries.
• Beyond dim sum, the full Cantonese menu includes noodle dishes, rice plates, seafood, and soups available during lunch and dinner service.
• The space is casual and designed for lingering—dim sum service can stretch an hour or more as carts circulate through the dining room.

Dim sum service and what to expect

Dim sum at First Wok works like this: you sit down, order tea or a beverage, and servers begin pushing carts laden with bamboo steamers and small plates through the dining room. You point to what you want, they place it on your table, and they mark your bill. The pace is unhurried—carts circle regularly, so if you miss something on the first pass, another will come by. This is not a race.

The offerings rotate but typically include har gow (shrimp dumplings), siu mai (pork and shrimp dumplings), char siu bao (barbecue pork buns), cheung fun (rice noodle rolls), and egg custard tarts. Seasonal items and house specials appear on carts alongside the standards. Prices are modest—most items cost between a few dollars and five dollars per plate—so you can build a full meal by sampling across multiple carts without spending heavily.

Dim sum is meant to be a social meal. Tables often hold groups of four or more, and the cart service encourages conversation and sharing. If you're dining alone or with one other person, you'll still fit in; the restaurant accommodates all table sizes, and the pace of service means you're never rushed.

The full Cantonese menu beyond dim sum

First Wok's regular menu reflects Cantonese cooking traditions: stir-fried noodles and rice dishes, whole fish or seafood preparations, soups that simmer for hours, and meat dishes cooked with vegetables and sauce. These are not fusion dishes or Americanized versions—they're the food you'd eat in Guangzhou or Hong Kong, adapted slightly for local ingredients and tastes.

Noodle dishes come in several styles: crispy chow mein with vegetables and protein, soft noodles in broth, and pan-fried noodles with sauce. Rice plates pair protein—chicken, pork, beef, or seafood—with vegetables and gravy over steamed rice. Soups range from light broths to hearty preparations with noodles, wontons, or seafood. The kitchen also handles special requests and can accommodate dietary preferences if you ask when ordering.

Dinner service is when these full dishes shine. Lunch can be busy with dim sum crowds, but dinner gives the kitchen space to focus on more complex preparations. If you want to experience both sides of First Wok—the casual, social dim sum lunch and the more deliberate dinner menu—plan two visits.

Five Points location and parking

First Wok sits on Devine Street in the Five Points neighborhood, one of Columbia's oldest commercial districts. The area has undergone steady revival over the past two decades, with galleries, independent shops, and restaurants filling the historic storefronts. Devine Street itself is walkable, and the neighborhood draws people who want to browse before or after eating.

Parking is street parking along Devine and on nearby side streets. It's usually available, though during peak lunch hours on weekends you may need to circle once or twice. The neighborhood is compact enough that walking from a spot a block or two away is reasonable. If you're unfamiliar with Five Points, arriving a few minutes early gives you time to find parking and locate the restaurant without rushing.

When to go and what to know before you arrive

Dim sum service runs during lunch hours, typically from around 11 a.m. to 2 or 3 p.m., though hours vary by day and season. Weekends are busier than weekdays, and the lunch crowd can be substantial—arriving early or going on a weekday means shorter waits and more relaxed service. If you're new to dim sum, a quieter time lets you take your time learning what's available and how the service works.

Dinner service runs into the evening and is less crowded than lunch. This is when to go if you want a table quickly or prefer ordering from a menu rather than flagging down carts. The full Cantonese menu is available at both lunch and dinner, so you're not limited to dim sum if you visit during those hours.

First Wok accepts cash and cards. Reservations are not always necessary for small groups, but calling ahead during peak times—weekend lunch, for instance—can save you a wait. The restaurant is family-friendly and welcoming to diners of all ages, from young children to older regulars who have been coming for years.

Cantonese cooking and why it matters in Columbia

Cantonese cuisine comes from Guangdong Province in southern China and emphasizes fresh ingredients, quick cooking, and subtle flavors. Unlike some regional Chinese cooking that relies heavily on chili heat or numbing spices, Cantonese food lets the ingredient shine—a piece of fish tastes like fish, a vegetable like vegetable. Dim sum is a Cantonese invention, born in teahouses where people gathered to drink tea and eat small plates.

In Columbia, First Wok represents one of the few places to eat authentic Cantonese food rather than Americanized Chinese takeout. That distinction matters. The difference between a proper har gow and a mass-produced shrimp dumpling is real—the wrapper texture, the shrimp quality, the seasoning. Eating at First Wok connects you to a cooking tradition that has shaped food culture across Asia and in Chinese communities worldwide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is dim sum and how do I order it?

Dim sum is a Cantonese meal of small plates and dishes served from carts. You sit at a table, servers push carts by, you point to what you want, and they place it in front of you. You pay for each plate at the end. It's a casual, social way to eat many different things in one meal without ordering full entrees.

Do I need to know what things are called to order dim sum?

No. You can point to what looks good on the cart. If you want to know what something is, ask the server—they can tell you the name and ingredients. Many carts have pictures or labels, and regulars often point and say "that one" rather than using the Cantonese names. First Wok staff are accustomed to helping diners navigate the carts.

Is First Wok good for groups or only for people who know Cantonese food?

It's excellent for groups. Dim sum is designed for sharing and conversation. You don't need prior knowledge of Cantonese food—the carts let you try things and discover what you like. Families, friend groups, and work colleagues all eat dim sum together regularly.

What if I don't like dim sum or want something else?

The full Cantonese menu is available at all hours. You can order noodle dishes, rice plates, soups, or seafood preparations from the menu instead of or in addition to dim sum. Dinner service is quieter and gives the kitchen more time for these full dishes if that's your preference.

How much does a dim sum meal typically cost?

Most dim sum plates cost between a few dollars and five dollars each. A full meal for one person usually runs ten to twenty dollars depending on how many plates you order and what you choose. It's an economical way to eat a lot of different things.