Let me start with AWESOMENESS FACTOR! 25% off total bill, Sunday - Thursday via Round Menu!
Then I learned about the other one! An Asian foodie joint that will actually make your eyes play the sports. Mine literally went gaga over the number of Dim Sums they offer. It's not the type of craziness that makes me whine and rant endlessly about quantity over quality. THIS IS DIM SUM! Bite size. Teasers. Now-you-see-it-now-you-don't magic parcels. DIM SUM joints are the only one excused from that rant. To be honest I don't know of any other Dim Sum dedicated foodie joint in town. If you know of any, leave me a comment.
I asked my hubby what he thinks of Ping Pong Dim Sum experience, the location, the price, the setting... to which he replied...
'bottom line is... they have GOOD FOOD'
Lemon Grass and Lime drink was a sight! Adorned with hard to miss fresh lemon grass in it... what a beauty. Taste yum too according to my foodie pal.
Next amazing drink was the Flowering Dragon Eye Tea. They got us on "dragon eye". It starts as a bud and really blooms as it infuses the hot water with its flavour. Very theatrical.
I got the adorable enjoyable Blackcurrant Bubble Tea. I enjoyed that a lot, a lot, a lot. I love 'sago' or tapioca pearls. I can see my kids loving this, drinking and giggling at the same time. It will be music to my ears!
Hubby ordered his usual drink wherever we go, Ping Pong's version is Lemon and Vanilla. It is fresh lemon, vanilla sugar and lemonade. He liked it but also couldn't contain his curiosity and ordered Flowering Dragon Eye Tea for his after meal. We enjoyed how it blossomed and he enjoyed drinking it too.
Hubby ordered Chicken Wonton Soup while I settled with Mix Mushroom Soup. Mine was the winner of course, it was creamy with a hint of acidity in it. It has depth and definitely has full of characters. I wouldn't mind catching a flu once in awhile if it means an excuse to take refuge in this mushroom's soup.
I love almost everything but definitely will come back for Chicken Char Siu Bun or what I normally call "bao". I make Siu Bao myself but their bao is so fabulous that I just have to have it again. It was light and fluffy it was unbelievable. Definitely hate them for having waaay better bao than I can ever muster (not fair!).
Sticky rice was yum too... surprise filling inside makes it a complete meal on its own. King prawn, scallop and sticky rice, steamed in a lotus leaf, it was lovely.
Lamb is one of my weak spots in cooking. Unfortunately, hubby has a soft spot for it, though he's not a big fan of lamb with sauce. He prefers it grilled or pan-fried. But when one of the guests ordered Braised Lamb Claypot and offered hubby a taste, he ended up stealing few spoonfuls. We could see how much it has taken him by surprise. For sure it will be in his "must eat again" list.
The one that didn't stand out for us were the Puff Pastry looking treats. European dish in the midst of an Asian theme they were going for. It fails in comparison to the other treats they have. It's not of the same level of flavour as the others.
I'm also not a big fun of their Sesame Prawn on Toast with fish sauce as a dipping sauce just because I make mean chunky prawn on toasts. Yup, no humbleness here, I'm going to do a mighty brag, mine is waaay better ....:P #PingPongPlsDontSueME #PingPongDon'tBanMeFromYourResto
I enjoyed the Coconut Bun. It certainly reminded me of childhood snacks from our school canteen. Chocolate Banana Roll is similar to our "turon" but theirs is missing on the sweet side of dessert life. Frankly, I like our turon over their roll. It has to be the banana they used since the method is the same. If they use the "saba" banana from Philippines and add a little brown sugar, it will taste hundred times better. I say they should make it for their test kitchen and compare.
It was relaxed, surrounded by food jam packed with flavours. Add never ending chat about foodie joints, laughter about foodies ultimate disorder - paparazziness. That's paparazi mixed with craziness. How our spouses or family members have to endure every meal as a photo op. Family members usual line is:
"Are you done? Can we eat now?"
If I may sum up what Ping Pong's customer consideration is all about? It will be "every gesture, big or small, counts".
The benches with no back rest - a person can only sit so upright for so long. Dim Sum eating needs time, lots of time. It's like having yoga while having a meal. It's like a version of reflection by foodies. You want to be grounded yet relaxed.
The stand alone wash basin - dim sum eating can easily be 'finger food' style dining. Why settle for just towelettes when you can freely wash your hands before and after your meal.
Different choices of dining table arrangement - options, a luxury they offer guests which are not too frequently given to us.
Partial open kitchen - tastes are heightened when you think that your presence is a part of your dish's preparation. I love seeing stacks of bamboo steaming pans in action.
Online booking - a lot of people now prefers emails over phone calls just because the latter option has time limit and it does not necessarily creates records for future reference. Online booking is really the way to go nowadays.
Nutritional information - if you click on the dish via their website, Nutritional Information will pop up to give you a chance to prepare and know what you will be munching on or avoid any if you have allergies.
Love at first sight. Extravaganza. Opportunity comes but once. Straight to the point.
Dim Sums are morish? then go for their ALL YOU CAN EAT DIM SUM. AED 135 for adults and kids under 12 years old can enjoy them for only AED 65.
Also have Monday Mocktails and Sunday Funday, check them all out in www.pingpongdimsum.ae
Ping Pong Dim Sum is located at Dubai Mall's Lower Ground Floor, close to the food court.
If you still prefer calling over online facility, their number is +971 4 339 9088