Weary workers were the first dim sum diners. After a long day, they'd stop into small eateries built along Cantonese roadsides for the comfort of hot tea and bite-size snacks. Dim sum traditions have evolved since then; the dining experience is now more social than solitary. At Dim Sum King, families and friends gather to share leisurely meals of sumptuous Cantonese-style small plates. Weary workers are welcome too, of course: don't be surprised if you see a businessman devouring Peking-style spare ribs, or a mime slurping hand-pulled noodles after escaping his last invisible box of the day.

Dim Sum for the Novice (or the Aficionado)

You may not be familiar with every dish on Dim Sum King's menu of delicacies. Here's a quick rundown of highlights, ranked from most familiar to most adventurous.

• For the cautious novice: barbecue pork buns, shrimp dumplings with XO sauce, pan-fried turnip cake
• For the curious return eater: Shanghai soup dumplings, baked durian puff
• For the adventurous expert: slow-cooked chicken feet, steamed goose intestine, sliced pigs' ears in spicy sauce