Joy Tsin Lau Chinese Restaurant

Joy Tsin Lau is a favorite spot of mine for the weekend Dim Sum brunch. Its very busy, and you will often have to wait, so budget in extra time. However, the long line moves suprisingly quickly, and as soon as you are seated you will be greated with a delightful array of treats. You may have to try everything to figure out what your favorites are, but then the next time you go, you'll know. the food comes around in carts, and you ask for what you want from the cart. If your eyes are bigger than your stomach, you can bring the food home. Its just as delicious heated up as a snack later. more

We enjoy this restaurant immensely and always take out of town visitors here so they can experience the dim sum themselves. You are seated(sometimes there is a 15 or so minute wait) and you order tea. Then little carts piled with small dishes of foods come by, you choose the ones you want and try many different things in one seating. We love the tiny clams with black bean sauce, the pepper "boats" filled with a shrimp filling, dumplings galore and many other dishes!! Once you try this unique experience you will be hooked. We have friends that ask to go back every time they visit!! more

Come to Joy Tsin Lau on a Sunday early afternoon and enjoy the Chinese tradition of "dim sum" carts whizz by your table filled with meat and vegetable dumplings, roasted meats, special rice dishes, all divided up into little plates. Point at dishes that interest you and it's a "buy as you go" arrangement. They even have chicken feet for the brave of heart. As entertaining as it is delicious, it's a Chinatown establishment popular with the locals. more

Joy Tsin Lau is a Chinese/Cantonese restaurant in Philadelphia. They are one of the larger dim sum places, and get extremely busy during peak hours. Dim sum is like a Chinese brunch/lunch that is made up of appetizers. It is a great value, since each dish is about $3. I especially like the Taro Cake (like a puff with breading and stuffing), the Seafood Hot Pots(dinner entree), and the Sweet and Sour Pork. (spare ribs in a sweet red sauce, NOT dim sum) Also, if you want to have a gathering in Chinatown, this is a good choice. Joy Tsin Lau's price is lower than at Ocean Harbor, and their food is around the same level. (just greasier) If you come here, do not expect a stunning interior. This restaurant's interior is not any different from the other Chinese restaurants. But the dim sum is good, and they can serve banquets when requested. Tip: Seating can get crowded. The restaurant is already packed to the max with tables and chairs, so during peak times, it gets extremely noisy and crowded here. Don't eat here if you can't take a lot of noise. more

Dim sum for many Chinese descendant is a weekly ritual. The whole family takes a trip to their favorite restaurant to have Dim Sum (Chinese Brunch). There are a few good places in Philadelphia that are far more superior than places that serve dim sum in NYC. Joy Tsin Lau is where many come to for good dim sum, it located on Race Street between 11th and 12th Streets. Weekends you might have to wait 10-15 minutes before you getting a table. Once at your table the waiter will ask you what type of tea you would like. I recommend the Chrysantenum/Jasmine tea, it a hit with kids because they can add rock sugar (sugar candy) to sweeten the tea. All the dim sum food will be pushed around in a cart and many will explain to you what the food consists of. You can also order noodles/ fried rice and other dishes a la cart, just ask a waiter to take your order. Dim sum is a social event where you want to be seen. You will notice that you will get full very quick, due to the greasiness of the food, and within 2 hours you will be hungry again. Tips: try the Siu Mai (open face dumpling made with pork) Har Kau (shrimp dumpling in thin dough) or the Cheong Fun (Rice rolls with variety of meat you can choose from), For those on the adventurous tip, try the chicken feet or snails in black bean sauce. more