HK Cafe

(Sam Gehrke)

Though HK Cafe does sport an à la carte menu, even made-up minds will be changed once the dim sum carts rattle by, piled high with mysterious, cloche-topped steamers and piloted by grumpy women with a penchant for placing unasked-for dishes on your table. But it's OK, because here you will want all the dishes: juicy, handball-sized shumai studded with shrimp, tender tripe, savory fried noodles, and all manner of buns, best among them a soft, sugar-crusted round that bursts with a sweet egg-yolk filling when bitten.

GO: 4410 SE 82nd Ave., 503-771-8866hkcafeportland.com9:30 am-11 pm daily

Kat Merck

Kat Merck was a Willamette Week copy editor and copy-desk chief from 2006 to 2012. She is now a Portland-based freelance writer and editor specializing in food, beer and parenting.

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