Busan On May 2, 2025, I enjoyed the second evening meal of the Michelin Guide tour in Haeundae District, Haeundae. There are several Michelin-selected restaurants in Haeundae District. Since I had bibimbap for lunch, I was looking for something with soup for dinner. Although I was disappointed to have to turn away from ‘Nigahama Mangetsu’, which I visited around 6 PM, because it closed early, my husband suggested we visit Dimtao, a dim sum restaurant.
First Impression and Clean Interior
At first glance, the exterior of Dimtao was somewhat disappointing. The temporary tent set up for the waiting area at the entrance made for a less-than-clean first impression. However, entering through a side alley next to the building revealed a charming garden, offering a surprising charm. Inside, a table waiting screen was installed. Although there were 6 teams waiting at the time, since there were only two of us, we were seated in just 10 minutes, allowing us to enter quickly. It was a lucky timing!
The interior had an open feel with exposed ceilings and a rectangular hall structure. Contrary to the initial impression from the outside, the interior was kept clean and tidy, as expected of a Michelin-selected restaurant. It was interesting to be able to see the dim sum being made directly from behind our seats.
Michelin Guide Selection, the Charm of Dim Sum
Busan Dimtao, selected for the Michelin Guide Busan 2025, offers dim sum, which means ‘to put a dot on the heart.’ Dim sum is a representative dish from the Guangdong region of China, signifying a light meal rather than a filling one. At Dimtao, you can enjoy various dim sum dishes such as juicy xiaolongbao, dumplings filled with plump shrimp and chives, wonton soup, and barbecue buns. Historically, dim sum was enjoyed with tea, so it is recommended to pair it with Pu-erh tea or jasmine tea. You can easily find it by following the long line in Haeundae District.
Tasting Various Menu Items
Basic side dishes included pickled cucumbers. The cucumbers were finely chopped and well-seasoned, making them delicious. (Refills are charged.)
We ordered wonton noodles as a soup dish. The wonton noodles, served with meatballs and noodles, had a clean broth and the meatballs were also savory and delicious. It tasted even better than the wonton noodles I had in Macau.
Next, the dim sum we ordered arrived. The ‘Chive Shrimp Dumplings’ were particularly generously filled. The chive aroma was pleasant, and the shrimp were fresh, providing an excellent texture. I highly recommend trying them!
The ‘Xiaolongbao’ were rich in soup and had a clean taste without any gamey odor. A thin slice of carrot was attached to the bottom of the dim sum, adding a unique visual element.
Seeing many other tables order it, we also tried the ‘Fried Eggplant’. It was crispy on the outside and filled with minced shrimp on the inside. The combination of oyster sauce and balsamic sauce gave it a texture similar to mentaiko, but being fried eggplant made it even more unique and delicious.
We ordered a total of 4 dishes that day. My husband ate most of it, and I only ate about 35%, but the food was so delicious that my husband, despite wanting to eat more, restrained himself while looking at me. I also felt like I wanted to eat more, so it was a very satisfying meal.
Parking Information and Intent to Revisit
When using restaurants in Haeundae District, parking at Busan Machine Technical High School can be inexpensive. Although we visited as a second choice because the ramen restaurant we initially intended to go to closed early, Dimtao has become a place I definitely want to revisit on my next trip to Busan. I checked and found that it’s a chain, so you can visit a location closer to you, which might be helpful to know. Wishing all my neighbors good health!
Dimtao Main Branch
Busan Haeundae District 25, U-dong 1-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan Dimtao
https://naver.me/5dxynd8K
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