Joy Tsin Lau: the place to order to your heart's content

Whether you're a college student with a big appetite and a small budget or you prefer sampling a variety of dishes rather than just one, Joy Tsin Lau's daily dim sum lunch is a perfect choice.

Dim sum, a Cantonese term meaning to "touch the heart," or "order to your heart's content," is the Chinese equivalent of tapas. Typically dishes are brought around to tables on carts. Diners pick and choose from a myriad of options, ranging from savory dumplings to sweet desserts. Plates usually carry three or four portions of a given dish - perfect for sharing among a small group of friends. The added bonus? The more people, the more you can order.

There is no way to savor all of Joy Tsin Lau's delectable bites in just one trip, but a diner can certainly get the feel of this wonderful Chinese tradition in just a few of the staple dishes.

Start with har gau, a steamed dumpling made with shrimp in a thin wheat wrapping. Even the pickiest eaters will enjoy this lightly flavored dish.

Next try the sui mai. Like har gau these are steamed dumplings in a wheat wrapper. They are filled with pork and topped with a crab roe garnish.

For a fried option, try the wu tau kau. This dish is made of mashed taro root filled with a seasoned pork mixture, then deep-fried until it is flaky and golden on the outside, which contrasts with the purple-tinted hue of the taro. Wu tao kau will satisfy both your sweet and savory cravings- the taro is slightly sweet while the fried outside and pork filling are both salty.

Lo bak go is another tableside-fried favorite. This square-shaped cake is made of a mix of daikon radish and rice flour.

A final savory delectable is lo mai gai, or sticky rice. This dish consists of rice mixed with meat, egg yolk, mushrooms, and other savories, all wrapped in a lotus leaf.

For dessert try the naihuangbao, a light steamed bun filled with a yellow custard. Its the perfect way to finish off such a savory meal.

Dishes at Joy Tsin Lau are very affordable, beginning at $1.60 for the small plates. The total for the above seven dishes plus tea and tax came to only $15.70.

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