China King in Columbia: Dim Sum, Roasted Meats, and Cantonese Cooking

What China King serves and where to find it

China King is a Cantonese restaurant in Columbia that serves dim sum, roasted meats, and traditional Hong Kong–style dishes. The restaurant is located on Devine Street in the Five Points neighborhood, a walkable area with galleries, boutiques, and other dining options nearby. The space itself is casual and straightforward—the kind of place where the food matters more than the décor.

The menu splits between dim sum (small plates served from carts or ordered à la carte), roasted specialties like Peking duck and soy chicken, and noodle and rice dishes. Dim sum is typically served during lunch hours, particularly on weekends when families gather for the traditional yum cha experience. If you arrive outside those hours, you can still order from the regular menu.

Key Takeaways

• Dim sum is served primarily during lunch, with the widest selection on weekends when carts roll through the dining room.
• Roasted meats—duck, chicken, and pork—are house specialties and available throughout the day.
• The restaurant is in Five Points, a neighborhood with street parking and other shops and restaurants within walking distance.
• Prices are moderate; dim sum plates typically run $3 to $6 each, and entrées are generally under $15.

Dim sum: what to expect and how to order

Dim sum at China King follows the traditional Cantonese model. During peak hours—usually Friday through Sunday lunch—servers push carts through the dining room stacked with bamboo steamers and small plates. You flag down a cart, point to what you want, and the server marks your check. This is the most social and interactive way to experience dim sum, and it's also the way to discover dishes you might not have ordered otherwise.

If you arrive during off-peak hours or prefer to order without the cart experience, you can request the dim sum menu and order by number. Common items include har gow (shrimp dumplings), siu mai (pork and shrimp dumplings), char siu bao (barbecue pork buns), cheung fun (rice noodle rolls), and taro croquettes. Portions are small by design—the idea is to try many things across a meal. Most people order 4 to 6 plates per person.

Roasted meats and house specialties

The roasted meats are what keep regulars coming back. Peking duck is the signature dish—the skin is crispy and the meat is tender, and it arrives with thin pancakes, hoisin sauce, and sliced scallions so you can build your own bites. Soy chicken (also called white-cut chicken) is poached and served cold with a soy-based dipping sauce; it's simpler than the duck but deeply flavored. Roasted pork belly and roasted pork are also on the menu, each with its own character.

These dishes come as half or whole orders and are meant to be shared. A half Peking duck feeds two people comfortably as part of a larger meal. The roasted meats pair well with steamed rice or noodles, and many people order a vegetable dish—bok choy or gai lan (Chinese broccoli) stir-fried with garlic—to round out the table.

Noodles, rice, and soups

Beyond dim sum and roasted meats, China King serves wok-cooked noodle and rice dishes. Chow mein, chow fun (wide rice noodles), and lo mein appear on the menu in versions with chicken, shrimp, pork, or vegetables. These are straightforward, well-executed versions of Cantonese classics—not Americanized—and they're priced to encourage ordering them as part of a shared meal rather than as solo entrées.

Soups are also available, including wonton soup and various clay pot dishes. A clay pot is a traditional earthenware vessel used to braise meat and vegetables slowly; the result is tender protein and deeply infused flavors. These are warming, substantial dishes that work well on cooler days or as a counterpoint to the lighter dim sum plates.

When to go and how to plan your visit

Dim sum service is most robust on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from late morning through early afternoon. If you want the full cart experience, arrive between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on a weekend. Weekday lunch is quieter and may have limited dim sum availability. Dinner service focuses on the roasted meats and à la carte menu.

The restaurant does not take reservations, so expect a wait on busy weekend lunch hours—sometimes 20 to 30 minutes. Arriving early (before 11:30 a.m.) or later (after 1:30 p.m.) reduces the wait. If you're planning a group meal, calling ahead to alert the kitchen can help them prepare roasted meats in advance. Five Points has street parking, though it can be tight on weekends; there is also a small lot behind some of the nearby shops.

What to order if you're new to Cantonese food

If dim sum is unfamiliar, start with har gow (shrimp dumplings) and siu mai (pork dumplings)—these are the gateway dishes and appear on nearly every dim sum menu. Add char siu bao (the sweet barbecue pork buns) for something warm and comforting. Cheung fun (rice noodle rolls) are silky and mild, a good palate cleanser between richer dishes. Taro croquettes or spring rolls add textural variety.

For a first roasted meat experience, Peking duck is the most theatrical and memorable choice. The ritual of wrapping the crispy skin and meat in a thin pancake with sauce and scallions is part of the appeal. If you prefer something simpler, soy chicken is delicious and requires no assembly. Pair either with steamed jasmine rice and a vegetable dish, and you have a complete meal that represents what Cantonese cooking does best.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to know Cantonese or Chinese to order?

No. During dim sum service, you point to what you want on the cart. For the regular menu, dishes are numbered and listed in English. Staff are accustomed to working with diners unfamiliar with the cuisine and can answer questions about what's in a dish or suggest options based on your preferences.

Is dim sum expensive?

No. Individual dim sum plates typically cost $3 to $6. A satisfying dim sum lunch for one person—four to six plates plus tea—usually runs $15 to $20. Roasted meat entrées are similarly priced, generally $12 to $18 for a half order.

Can I bring children to dim sum?

Yes. Dim sum is a family-oriented meal in Cantonese culture, and children are welcome. The small-plate format means kids can try many things without committing to a full entrée. Steamed buns and noodle dishes tend to be popular with younger diners.

What if I don't eat pork or shrimp?

The menu includes vegetable dim sum (steamed vegetable dumplings, taro croquettes, vegetable spring rolls) and vegetable-based entrées. Roasted chicken is available as an alternative to duck or pork. Call ahead if you have specific dietary restrictions so the kitchen can prepare accordingly.

Is there parking nearby?

Yes. Street parking is available on Devine Street and nearby residential streets, though it fills quickly on weekend lunch hours. There is also a small lot behind some of the adjacent shops. Five Points is walkable, so if you're staying in the neighborhood, you can walk to the restaurant.