Cheryl J.
Yelp
Lukewarm Dim Sum Experience at Hans Palace
Visiting Hans Palace in McLean, VA, I had high hopes for a delightful dim sum feast, given its promising menu and local buzz. Unfortunately, the experience didn't quite match the anticipation, earning a mediocre three-star rating from me.
Firstly, Hans Palace breaks from tradition by not offering cart service, which is a charming aspect of dim sum that many patrons, myself included, look forward to. Despite this, expectations remained high for the dishes that we had ordered. The variety was commendable; we tried a wide range of items including beef congee, snow pea leaves, shumai, crispy roast pork, both steamed and baked pork buns, chicken feet, turnip cake, cucumbers, eggplant with shrimp, steamed pork ribs, shrimp rice crepe, beef chow fun, sesame balls, and egg tarts.
Regrettably, the chief issue was temperature. It was surprising and disappointing to find that the food arrived cold, hovering around room temperature. This was quite unexpected, especially considering the dishes were brought directly from the kitchen. Dim sum thrives on freshness and the joy of biting into something straight out of the steamer or fryer. In our case, the tepid temperatures significantly detracted from what could have been an exceptional taste experience.
On a positive note, the snow pea leaves were a standout. Their freshness and flavor rose above the rest, making them my favorite of the meal. However, even these could not wholly redeem the disappointment of the other dishes.
In conclusion, while the variety at Hans Palace is extensive and the snow pea leaves are a must-try, the lack of heat in their dishes was a letdown. It would be a far more enjoyable experience if more attention were given to ensuring food is served at the appropriate temperature, befitting the nature of dim sum. Should they rectify this, I would consider returning to give them another chance to live up to their potential.