Dim sum at Sea Palace

Dim sum is hip. The number of restaurants where you can eat these small Asian dishes is growing very quickly. In Amsterdam, you’ll find the best at Sea Palace—yes, that large boat in front of Central Station.

For years, we thought it was a tourist trap. Who would go and eat on a brightly lit boat by the station? Well, we do. Preferably, we sit down there every Sunday afternoon.

Dumplings
When you think of dim sum, you may mainly think of different kinds of dumplings, and they are well represented on the menu. Our favorites are small dragon buns (L32), the shrimp dumpling (L22) and the deep-fried shrimp pastry (L19). But wait, that’s not all.

Much more
We also always order the fried daikon (L14) and rice-flour crepes filled with duck (LC1). If you’re with a group of six or more, you’re in luck and get to sit at a round table with a rotating lazy Susan. That way, you can spin the dish you have your eye on straight over to your side of the table. In that case, we also always order the sticky rice with meat, steamed in lotus leaf (L25). It’s quite filling, but when you’re with a large group, everyone takes a bite and you’ll still have enough room for the rest.

Custard
If you can still manage dessert, order our ultimate dim sum favorite: the custard bun. Everything on the dim sum menu is actually delicious, and it’s available to order until four in the afternoon. You’ll spend approximately €20.

Sea Palace
Oosterdokskade 8
Amsterdam