Eating at Dian Dou De (点都德): Shanghai Dim Sum Review
One of the restaurants I was most eagerly anticipating during my Shanghai trip was ‘Dian Dou De (点都德, Diǎn Dōu Dé)’. This is a Chinese restaurant specializing in authentic Cantonese-style dim sum. Beyond its diverse dim sum menu, it’s renowned as a prime spot to truly experience the ‘Yum Cha (饮茶)’ culture—enjoying dim sum with tea—making it a must-visit destination for any trip to Shanghai. If you’re planning a visit, I highly recommend stopping by.
Finding Dian Dou De
After enjoying the night view at the Bund, my group visited the Dian Dou De branch located inside a large nearby shopping mall. Their closing time is around 9:30 PM, and since we arrived quite late after sightseeing, we were among the last customers to enter. While it’s typically a very popular spot with frequent queues, our late arrival meant we luckily got seated immediately without any wait.
Finding a Dian Dou De branch is quite straightforward. Using a map app like Amap, simply search for ‘点都德’ or ‘Diǎn Dōu Dé’, and a list of nearby locations will pop up. With numerous branches throughout Shanghai, you can easily pick the one most convenient for your accommodation or itinerary.
Introducing Shanghai’s Famous Spot, Dian Dou De (点都德)
You’ll know you’ve found it when you spot a sign like the one in the picture. Dian Dou De originated in Guangzhou (广州), the capital of Guangdong province. While its history dates back to 1933, the current brand identity was reportedly established more recently.
The first thing that strikes you upon entering is the sheer size of the place. The interior is quite spacious, capable of seating many diners at once. The overall decor nicely captures the feel of a traditional Cantonese teahouse (茶楼, Chálóu), making it ideal for enjoying a meal with family and friends amidst a lively, albeit somewhat noisy, atmosphere.
Orders are placed by scanning a QR code on the table with the Alipay app. This system is common in many Chinese restaurants, so if you’ve used Alipay before, ordering should be straightforward. The menu includes pictures for each item, which made selecting dishes easy. Since it was our first visit, we focused on ordering their signature items.
Dian Dou De’s Top Recommended Menu Items:
- 金莎红米肠 (Jīnshā hóngmǐ cháng): Golden Sand Red Rice Roll – Features a crispy filling and soft red rice noodle wrapper.
- 招牌烧卖 (Zhāopái shāomài): Signature Siu Mai – Dian Dou De’s classic pork and shrimp dumpling.
- 招牌虾饺皇 (Zhāopái xiājiǎo huáng): Signature Har Gow King – Their premier shrimp dumplings.
- 椒麻拍黄瓜 (Jiāomá pāi huángguā): Numbing & Spicy Smashed Cucumber Salad.
Dining Experience at Shanghai’s Dian Dou De
The Charm of Dian Dou De: Enjoying ‘Yum Cha’ Culture with Dim Sum
In authentic Cantonese dim sum restaurants like Dian Dou De, ‘Yum Cha (饮茶)’ – the practice of drinking tea – is a crucial part of the dining experience. It’s a unique element of Chinese culinary culture where guests select from various teas, which are then meticulously brewed and served by the staff. Enjoying tea alongside dim sum helps cut through richness and refresh the palate.
The tea menu offers a diverse selection. If you’re unsure which to choose, using AI image recognition features to identify the tea type and characteristics beforehand can be helpful these days. It’s recommended to research in advance and select a tea that suits your taste.
Tea Varieties and Characteristics at Dian Dou De (Prices per person):
- 罗汉果 (Luóhàn guǒ) – Luo Han Guo (Monk Fruit Tea) (8 RMB/person): Clear, sweet, and deep flavor.
- 菊花茶 (Júhuā chá) – Chrysanthemum Tea (8 RMB/person): Light fragrance and gentle sweetness.
- 普洱茶 (Pǔ’ěr chá) – Pu’er Tea (12 RMB/person): Mild and smooth character.
- 铁观音 (Tiěguānyīn) – Tieguanyin (Iron Goddess of Mercy) (12 RMB/person): Very rich and captivating aroma.
- 英德红茶 (柒号) (Yīngdé hóngchá – Qī hào) – Yingde Black Tea (No. 7) (12 RMB/person): Rich, smooth, with a balanced sweetness and body.
Feeling thirsty after walking and sightseeing, I looked for a cold beverage, but standard sodas like cola weren’t on the menu. Instead, they offered two types of cold tea drinks. We tried the ‘Camellia Lemon Iced Tea (山茶花柠檬茶(冷), Shān cháhuā níngméng chá (lěng))’. Personally, I found the floral taste overwhelmingly strong—almost like perfume—so I wouldn’t recommend it. As a tip, many restaurants in China permit outside food and drinks, so bringing your own soda might be a good idea if you prefer one.
Dian Dou De’s Signature Dish: Hongmi Changfen
The first dish to arrive was the one we were most excited about and Dian Dou De is famous for: the Hongmi Changfen (Red Rice Roll). This dish features a soft, red rice noodle wrapper generously filled with crispy fried morsels and plump shrimp, creating a unique textural experience. Its visually appealing red hue and delicious aroma immediately whet the appetite.
The Hongmi Changfen is served standard with two dipping sauces: a nutty one based on peanuts/sesame and a savory, umami soy-based sauce. Inside the chewy red rice wrapper were plump shrimp, and the contrast with the crispy layer encasing them was fantastic. One bite was all it took to understand why this dish is so popular. We absolutely loved it.
We also ordered the smashed cucumber salad (Jiaoma Pai Huanggua) to accompany the dim sum. It served as an excellent palate cleanser when the richness of the dim sum started to feel heavy. The combination of fragrant sesame oil and balanced savory seasoning created a wonderfully cool and refreshing flavor. While cucumbers can be divisive, those who enjoy them will find this side dish irresistible and likely finish the plate quickly.
Shortly after, our other dim sum orders, Har Gow (shrimp dumplings) and Siu Mai, arrived. Both were delicious and met our expectations. Notably, the minimal use of strong spices seems to be a key reason why Dian Dou De is popular among locals and international visitors alike, making the flavors approachable. With generous fillings and well-balanced tastes, these were classic dim sum dishes anyone would enjoy.
We debated trying another dish but couldn’t resist ordering Dian Dou De’s iconic Hongmi Changfen again, this time opting for the smaller portion (3 pieces). The dim sum was surprisingly filling, so this smaller size was perfect for savoring more without getting too full.
Towards the end of our meal, a dessert called ‘Crispy Milk Roll’ caught our eye, so we gave it a try. It had a unique texture unlike anything I’d had before—crispy on the outside, yet soft and yielding inside. Filled with a delicious, subtly sweet milk cream, it was incredibly satisfying. It’s the perfect sweet ending to the meal, and I highly recommend trying it during your visit.
Final Thoughts
Two adults enjoyed a fulfilling meal, with the total cost coming to around ₩50,000 KRW (roughly $35-40 USD, depending on the exchange rate at the time). While Dian Dou De might seem slightly pricier than other dim sum spots, we found the cost quite reasonable given the high quality of the food. We were able to experience the Yum Cha culture, and every dish, especially the much-anticipated Hongmi Changfen, was delicious and left us eager to return. Just remember, standard sodas aren’t available, so be sure to bring your own if needed.
