Today I tried a little experiment. I went to Jasmine Seafood Restaurant in San Diego for breakfast right when they opened on a weekday.
Jasmine Seafood Restaurant
4609 Convoy St Ste A
San Diego, CA 92111
Phone: (858) 268-0888
I know this sounds silly, but I wanted to find out if the Dim Sum was different right when they opened.
Short answer? It is. The fried pork dumpling was at least 5 times as good as it usually is. The same greasiness it has when they serve it later, is super fresh when it first comes out of the kitchen. Literally the difference between 5 star and 2 or 3.
Next on the plate was feng zhao. Chicken feet in sauce for those of you not in the know. It tasted better too. Less fatty tasting also. I know the fat content does not change as it sits, but I bet the fat separates out or something leaving these things tasting more greasy after they sit.
Now on to Cha Siu Bao. This one is a no brainer. When it comes out of the steamer the bun is smooth, almost buttery, even though it is made of only rice and water. A few hours later it is like chewing gum if left outside. The closer you get this one to when it comes out of the steamer the better.
Just got a pork dumpling. Again the clear gooey rice wrapper tastes amazing. The consistency apparently changes massively by the time I usually get up!
Again, the pork pot sticker is the same. It is boiled or steamed, and then grilled. The wrapper is infinitely better this early. I think my experiment confirmed what we would think, but actually is a much huger difference than I would have guessed. I would literally have rated this food as 4 stars on a 1 to 5 scale, leaving 5 stars open for world class food. In comparison, late afternoon I bet I would have given it 2 stars. Great breakfast!
