Diggin' Dim sum on a Sunday

Dim sum /ˈdimˈsʌm/ is a style of Chinese Canton cuisine prepared as small bite-sized portions of food traditionally served in small steamer baskets or on small plates. It's also called 'yum cha' as I've come to know it while living in Hong Kong years ago. It literally means 'drinking tea' in Cantonese. 

When I was living in Hong Kong, going out for yum cha after church service was the thing to do once a month.  We frequented the local fave and what is considered an institution, City Hall Maxim's  Palace near the Star Ferry on Hong Kong Island. There was always a super long line but somehow we managed to pass the time without mobile devices.  

I've been looking for a good yum cha place here in San Diego.  I dined at a couple of restaurants  before I found one I like, Emerald on Convoy St. 

It was definitely felt like we were having a feast even if we didn't have that many dishes. We chose the steamed dishes and a bowl of congee. The house-made chili sauce and Chinese mustard is a must. We drank my favorite Chinese tea, steeped chrysanthemums.