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King PO Chinese Restaurant in Columbia: Dim Sum, Roasted Meats, and Cantonese Classics

By Constance Obi · Culture & Recreation Writer

What King PO Serves and Where to Find It

King PO is a Cantonese restaurant in Columbia that specializes in dim sum, roasted meats, and traditional Chinese dishes. The restaurant sits on Devine Street in the Five Points neighborhood, a location that has made it a steady presence in Columbia's dining scene for years. The menu centers on Cantonese cooking—roasted duck and pork prepared in-house, steamed dumplings, and seafood preparations that reflect the style of southern China.

The dining room is casual and straightforward, designed for both quick lunch visits and longer dinners. Dim sum service runs during lunch hours, when carts roll through the dining room and servers offer small plates directly to your table. This is the traditional way dim sum is served in Hong Kong and Guangdong, and it shapes the whole experience—you order by pointing at what interests you as the carts pass.

Key Takeaways

  • King PO serves Cantonese dim sum from carts during lunch service, where you select small plates as they pass your table.
  • The restaurant roasts its own duck and pork in-house, which you can order as standalone dishes or over rice.
  • Dinner service shifts to a full menu of cooked-to-order Cantonese dishes, seafood, and noodle preparations.
  • The Five Points location makes it accessible for lunch breaks or casual neighborhood dining without reservation pressure.

Dim Sum Service and What to Expect

Dim sum at King PO follows the cart service model, which means you sit down and servers bring rolling carts of small plates to your table throughout the meal. You point to what you want, they place it on your table, and they mark your bill accordingly. Common offerings include har gow (shrimp dumplings), siu mai (pork and shrimp dumplings), char siu bao (barbecue pork buns), and cheung fun (rice noodle rolls). The selection changes throughout service, so arriving earlier in the lunch period gives you more variety.

This style of ordering takes some adjustment if you have not encountered it before. There is no menu to study—you make decisions as carts arrive. If you are uncertain about a dish, asking the server is normal and expected. Portions are small by design, which lets you try many things in one meal. Dim sum is traditionally a social meal, and the cart service encourages lingering and conversation.

Roasted Meats and House Specialties

King PO roasts duck and pork in-house, and these are among the restaurant's signature offerings. The roasted duck comes with crispy skin and tender meat, typically served with rice or noodles and a small dish of sauce for dipping. Roasted pork (char siu) is sweeter and stickier, glazed during cooking and sliced to order. Both are available during lunch and dinner service.

You can order roasted meats as a standalone dish with rice, as part of a noodle preparation, or in combination plates that include vegetables and soup. The quality of these items depends on the day's roasting schedule, so they are freshest during peak service hours. Many regulars come specifically for the roasted meats and skip the dim sum carts entirely.

Dinner Menu and Cooked-to-Order Dishes

Once dim sum service ends, King PO shifts to a full dinner menu of Cantonese preparations. This includes stir-fried vegetables, seafood dishes (shrimp, scallops, whole fish), beef and chicken preparations, and noodle soups. Many dishes can be ordered mild or spicy, and the kitchen will adjust seasoning if you request it. Whole fish, when available, is often the most expensive item on the menu but represents the restaurant's commitment to fresh ingredients.

Dinner is quieter than lunch, and the pace is slower—dishes are cooked to order rather than served from carts. This is the time to ask questions about preparations or request modifications. The restaurant does not require reservations for dinner, though calling ahead during busy weekends is sensible if you have a large group.

Pricing and What to Budget

Dim sum pricing at King PO is per plate, with most small plates ranging from a few dollars to around ten dollars depending on the ingredient (shrimp and seafood items cost more than vegetable or pork options). A typical dim sum lunch for one person runs between fifteen and twenty-five dollars, depending on how many carts you stop and how much you eat. Dim sum is designed to be affordable and social, and the cost reflects that.

Dinner entrees are moderately priced, typically between twelve and twenty dollars for most dishes. Whole fish and premium seafood preparations cost more. Rice and noodle dishes are on the lower end of that range. The restaurant accepts cash and cards.

Hours, Location, and Parking

King PO operates on Devine Street in the Five Points neighborhood, a walkable area with street parking and nearby lots. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner most days, though hours vary by day of the week. Dim sum service is available during lunch hours only—typically from late morning through early afternoon. Calling ahead to confirm current hours is wise, as restaurant schedules can shift seasonally or for special events.

Five Points is a mixed-use neighborhood with shops, offices, and other restaurants nearby, so you can combine a meal at King PO with browsing or other activities in the area. The neighborhood has a casual, local feel rather than a tourist destination atmosphere.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. The cart service works by sight—you point to what looks good as carts pass your table. If you are curious about a dish, ask the server. Many people order dim sum without knowing the names, and that is completely normal. Arriving with a basic list of common items (har gow, siu mai, char siu bao) helps, but it is not required.

Can I make a reservation at King PO?

King PO operates on a first-come, first-served basis for most service. Reservations are not typically taken, though calling ahead for large groups during dinner is a good idea. Lunch dim sum service does not require reservations—you arrive and sit when a table opens.

What if I do not like dim sum?

The dinner menu offers full Cantonese dishes cooked to order, so you can visit for dinner and skip dim sum entirely. Roasted meats, stir-fried dishes, noodle soups, and seafood preparations are all available during dinner service. Many people visit King PO for dinner without ever trying dim sum.

Is King PO good for groups?

Yes, especially for dim sum lunch. The cart service and small plates make it easy for groups to share and try many dishes together. Dim sum is traditionally a social meal. For dinner, larger groups should call ahead so the kitchen can prepare for the volume.

What should I order if it is my first time?

During dim sum, start with har gow (shrimp dumplings), siu mai (pork dumplings), and char siu bao (pork buns)—these are classics that give you a sense of the style. Order the roasted duck or pork if available. At dinner, roasted meats with rice and a simple stir-fried vegetable dish are reliable choices that let you taste the kitchen's core strengths.