No. 1 China Restaurant in Columbia: Dim Sum, Roasted Meats, and Cantonese Classics

What No. 1 China serves and where to find it

No. 1 China is a Cantonese restaurant in Columbia's Five Points neighborhood, known for dim sum service, roasted meats hung in the window, and noodle dishes. The restaurant operates as a casual counter-service spot during dim sum hours and transitions to table service for lunch and dinner. You'll find it on Harden Street, a short walk from the Five Points intersection where local shops and galleries cluster.

The menu centers on Cantonese cooking—the regional style from southern China that emphasizes fresh ingredients, quick cooking, and subtle seasoning. Unlike Americanized Chinese takeout, Cantonese food relies on technique and ingredient quality rather than heavy sauces. At No. 1 China, that means you can watch cooks prepare dishes in an open kitchen and see whole roasted ducks and pork hanging ready to slice.

Key Takeaways

• Dim sum service runs during specific hours, usually late morning through early afternoon, with small plates brought to your table on carts or ordered from a menu.
• Roasted meats—duck, pork, and chicken—are prepared fresh daily and sold by the pound or as part of combination plates over rice.
• Noodle soups and stir-fried rice dishes are available throughout service hours and represent affordable, filling options for lunch or dinner.
• The restaurant is cash-friendly but also takes cards; calling ahead during busy weekend dim sum service can reduce your wait.

Dim sum: what to expect and how to order

Dim sum is a Cantonese tradition of small plates—dumplings, buns, rolls, and other bites—served with tea. At No. 1 China, dim sum service typically runs from late morning through early afternoon, though hours vary by day. During peak times, servers push carts loaded with bamboo steamers through the dining room; you point to what you want, and they mark your check. Some items are also available on a printed menu you can order from your table.

Common dim sum items include har gow (shrimp dumplings in translucent wheat starch wrappers), siu mai (open-topped pork and shrimp dumplings), char siu bao (steamed buns filled with roasted pork), and cheung fun (rolled rice noodles with shrimp, pork, or vegetables). Prices are typically low per plate—usually between two and five dollars—so ordering several different items to share is the standard way to eat. Tea is complimentary or a small charge per person.

If cart service feels overwhelming, ask your server for a menu and point to pictures or ask what is fresh that day. Many regulars do this, and staff are accustomed to explaining what each item contains. Dim sum is meant to be exploratory; ordering something unfamiliar is part of the experience.

Roasted meats and rice plates

The roasted meats in the window—whole ducks, pork belly, and chicken—are the restaurant's signature. These are prepared fresh daily using traditional Cantonese techniques: the skin is lacquered and roasted until it cracks, while the meat stays tender and juicy. You can order a portion by weight or as a combination plate served over steamed white rice with a small side of sauce.

A typical roasted meat plate includes a quarter or half duck, a few slices of roasted pork, or a chicken leg and thigh, served with rice and a small container of sauce—usually a thin soy-based sauce or a spicy chili condiment. These plates are filling, reasonably priced, and ready quickly, making them popular for lunch. If you are unsure which meat to choose, ask your server what came out of the oven most recently.

Noodle soups and stir-fried rice

Beyond dim sum and roasted meats, No. 1 China serves noodle soups and stir-fried rice dishes that round out the menu. Wonton noodle soup—thin egg noodles in a light broth with pork wontons—is a Cantonese staple and a warming option for any season. Chow mein (stir-fried noodles with vegetables and protein) and chow fan (stir-fried rice) come in versions with chicken, pork, shrimp, or vegetables.

These dishes are cooked to order and arrive hot. Portion sizes are generous, and prices are low enough that a noodle or rice dish plus a drink makes a complete, affordable meal. During non-dim sum hours, these are the quickest items to order if you are in a hurry.

Hours, payment, and timing

No. 1 China's hours shift between dim sum service and regular lunch and dinner service. Dim sum typically runs from late morning through early afternoon on weekdays and extends into mid-afternoon on weekends, though exact times vary. Lunch and dinner service follow, with the kitchen closing in the evening. Calling ahead to confirm hours on the day you plan to visit is wise, especially if you are making a trip specifically for dim sum.

The restaurant accepts both cash and cards. During weekend dim sum hours, the dining room fills quickly, and wait times can stretch to 30 minutes or more. Calling ahead to put your name on a list or asking how long the wait is before you sit down helps you plan. If you arrive during a slower weekday lunch, seating is usually immediate.

What makes Cantonese food different from other Chinese regional styles

Cantonese cooking comes from Guangdong Province in southern China, where the climate is warm and fresh seafood and vegetables are abundant year-round. The style emphasizes the natural flavor of ingredients rather than masking them with heavy sauces. Cooking techniques are quick—high heat, brief cooking times—to preserve texture and taste. Dim sum itself is a Cantonese invention, born from tea houses where people gathered to drink tea and eat small bites.

In South Carolina, many Chinese restaurants serve Americanized versions of Sichuan or northern Chinese food—dishes built around sweet and spicy sauces. Cantonese restaurants like No. 1 China offer a different experience: cleaner flavors, visible cooking, and an emphasis on technique. If you have only eaten Chinese takeout from a strip mall, dining at a Cantonese restaurant will feel noticeably different.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time does dim sum service start and end?

Dim sum service typically begins in late morning and runs through early afternoon, with longer hours on weekends. Exact times vary by day, so calling the restaurant before you visit ensures you arrive during dim sum service. The kitchen transitions to regular lunch and dinner service after dim sum ends.

Do I need to know what I'm ordering, or can I just point?

Pointing is completely acceptable during dim sum service. Carts roll through the dining room, and you simply indicate which plates you want. If you prefer to order from a menu, ask your server for one—many include pictures. Staff are used to diners exploring unfamiliar items and are happy to describe what each dish contains.

Are the roasted meats available all day?

Roasted meats are prepared fresh daily and available during lunch and dinner service. They may sell out if you arrive late in the evening, so visiting earlier in the day increases your chances of finding your preferred meat in stock.

Is No. 1 China a good place for a group?

Yes, especially during dim sum service. Dim sum is designed for sharing—you order many small plates and pass them around the table. This makes it ideal for groups of four or more. During busy weekend dim sum hours, calling ahead to reserve a table or get on a wait list is recommended.

What should I order if I've never had Cantonese food before?

Start with har gow (shrimp dumplings), siu mai (pork dumplings), and char siu bao (roasted pork buns) during dim sum—these are approachable introductions. Then order a roasted meat plate with rice. This combination gives you a sense of what Cantonese cooking emphasizes: fresh ingredients, careful technique, and subtle seasoning.