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Cai
Chinese Restaurant and Dim Sum Restaurant$$$$
Armour Square, Chicago
Has a stamp of approval from Time Out Chicago and Serious Eats
"Must try - Egg tart, steamed creamy egg yolk bun, baked green chive puffs, & pan fried..."(3 Tips)
"Egg tart and dim sum"(4 Tips)
"Get the xiao long bao, siu mai, and fried shrimp/corn dumplings."(3 Tips)
"My favorite things are the shrimp ha gaos and the pumpkin congee!"(2 Tips)
59 Tips and reviewsFilter:
- dim sum
- pumpkin congee
- good for groups
- egg tarts
- buns
- (15 more)
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Leilei TongApril 21, 2017Great value for money! Their dim sum is very authentic. Loved the 流沙包(liu sha bao, the egg yolk buns), they're as good as the ones in Hong Kong. <3 Their chestnut cake is also very authentic!
Wait times can get a bit long here for weekend dim sum, but if you’re willing to wake up a bit early, there are plenty of tables to be had from opening until the crowds begin to arrive at around 10:30
- JaimJanuary 27, 2014Must try - Egg tart, steamed creamy egg yolk bun, baked green chive puffs, & pan fried turnip cake; OK - Veggie tofu crepe; Don't try - BBQ pork turnover, and rice noodle with shrimp (cheong fan)
Time Out ChicagoApril 17, 2012As much as we love meringue and aioli, this year all other eggy goodness faded in comparison to Cai’s egg-yolk buns. These Chinese breakfast bombs are sweet, creamy, and filled with sugary egg paste. Read more- Time Out ChicagoFebruary 17, 2012The chef is killing the dim sum competition with his creamy egg-yolk buns, dumplings stuffed with shrimp and scallop, pumpkin congee and steamed rice-noodle crêpes paired with crunchy bits of celery. Read more
- Time Out ChicagoAugust 2, 2014This is classed up dim sum at its most traditional, mirrored by the over-the-top, glitzy, gilded look of the second-story restaurant, making it a favorite pick for Chinese wedding banquets. Read more
HaydenAugust 1, 2015Some of the dim sum was hit and miss. The noodle dishes were consistently good. Corn mushroom soup, dry scallops with Chinese dough were absolutely delicious.
Serious EatsMay 21, 2013Baked Egg Tarts: Featuring a fine, flaky crust and a sunshine yellow egg filling, that jiggles uncontrollably at the barest movement, it's an indulgence worth braving the crowd for.
Chris BuenoMarch 17, 2015Amazing Dim Sum, our table of 5 shared about 8 different dishes and the bill was a little less than $35. Totally worth the trip to Chinatown.
Alison3 days agoWe ordered a huge variety when we came for Saturday dim sum. Everything was absolutely delicious and came out timely, even though they were packed!
jef McClimansNovember 17, 2014Had the largest meal of my life here, and it was amazing. Bring your own wine.
Philip TamOctober 5, 2015One of the best places for Chinese food! Easy to order dim sum menu. Kind staff and very familiar setting!
Danielle ChutinthranondNovember 22, 2015Good for dim sum. Get the salted egg yolk bun over the custard one. They tend to quote inflated wait times.
Maia FeruziAugust 20, 2016The service is okay. I recommend going with someone who can at least speak a little Chinese it will just be easier. Very good food especially the bao's.
Steamed creamy egg yolk buns are eggggcellent! Little salty, little sweet, a lotta yummy.
Very good dim sum. You can judge the quality of a dim sum restaurant by their har gow.- Time Out ChicagoDecember 6, 2011Try the Baked creamy egg yolk buns from our 100 Best list: These pillowy-soft buns are the standout, pulling open to reveal a warm, sugary, creamy core.
Tiffany WongAugust 15, 2016the decor is less remarkable and the dining room is packed, but the dim sum here is fresher and comes out hotter than at minghin.
Global HighlanderAugust 10, 2014Come here for the dim sum: steamed creamy egg yolk bun, xiaolongbao, and more.
Joy ChenJuly 4, 2016Just average. Interesting variety (pumpkin & seafood congee, fish & chive rice roll) but relatively expensive and not as tasty as the names sound, not to mention slow service and à la carte style.
Tasting TableDecember 13, 2011Don't miss the chiu-chow dumplings, rice-flour wrappers packed with a crunchy, peppery filling of minced pork, peanuts, celery and scallions. Read more
H QCMarch 20, 2013By far the best dim sum in Chinatown. Better than Phoenix IMO, but I do have certain loyalties to Phoenix- Mark LindzyFebruary 3, 2013Get the xiao long bao, siu mai, and fried shrimp/corn dumplings. So good!
Great tasting Chinese food in Chinatown. Not very oily. Food presentation is there! Only down side is that it's pricier than most other restaurants in Chinatown.
Get the salt and pepper fish filet. The braised beef tendon is fantastic.
Renee PrisbleDecember 20, 2014Oh it tasted so good but whoa the msg hang over. Also they have shark fin on the menu. That made me upset.
- Damon SununtnasukOctober 31, 2016No steam carts, so a little disappointing. Authentic atmosphere and menu
Emily S.October 23, 2014Not very vegetarian friendly at conferences, and avoid the pepto bismol colored jello--it tastes like seafood. However, nice big wine glasses for a decent price.
Silvana SoaresApril 4, 2019I am not sure why the great ratings - super expensive and not much to show for - just skip it. Totally not worth it!!!
286 Photos
Foursquare © 2024 Lovingly made in NYC, CHI, SEA & LA
Open until 2:00 AM (Show more)
- Mon–Fri
- 9:00 AM–2:00 AM
- Sat–Sun
- 8:00 AM–Midnight
(312) 326-6888
Features
Reservations
Yes
Credit Cards
Yes (incl. American Express)
Wi-Fi
Yes
Outdoor Seating
No
Food & Drink
Menus
Brunch, Lunch, Dinner
Drinks
Full Bar
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Places people like to go after Cai
- 7.2
"Free Wi-Fi, very nice place to hang out with friends, green bubble milk tea is the best"
April Ge - 8.2
"I had a good time in Chinatown, & it was definitely one of the highlights of my Chicago experience. Stock up on candy, bubble tea, & cultural goods! I just wish there were more entertainment options."
Daniel Crum - 7.5
"Awesome for bubble tea or any tasty Asian cuisine that you may be craving. Portion size is enough for two."
Don Pham
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