How Expensive Is Yumcha?

Samsungnote10 on 25/04/2021 - 14:24
Last edited 25/04/2021 - 18:21 by 1 other user

So I like Yumcha, not love, have it a few times per year some places it's hard if they don't speak English but that usually means it's better!

Went yesterday to a place that's apparently mid priced we had only the ones in the bamboo containers, none of those large plate specialties.

2 @$7.50
4 @8.50
1@ $9.50
2@ 12.50
=$83.50 for 3 people, (2 of them a small eaters)

We got free tea for some reason, the waitress kept telling us it was free in Chinese/English, 'twas pretty funny. That's almost $30 per head for lunch.

The Chinese place a few doors down, that sells BBQ pork/duck on rice/noodles for $12, looks like a mighty better option!

Food & Grocery

Comments

  • No Username on 25/04/2021 - 14:30
    +21

    $83 is pretty cheap for 3. But it also depends on what food you pick. On average cost are around $150-200 for 4 ppl.

    • Samsungnote10 on 25/04/2021 - 14:32
      +6

      i personally wouldnt spend $200 for 4 people for lunch where he had to leave after an hour or so due to the next session

      • dust on 25/04/2021 - 14:39
        +49

        Yumcha is pretty expensive. If you don't want to spend that much you can do it yourself (buy frozen versions of what you'd order, or make from scratch if you're keen) or you can pick another cuisine.

        • 82norm on 26/04/2021 - 10:21

          What about chickens feet…

          • dust on 26/04/2021 - 10:54
            +5

            @82norm: You can buy fresh chicken feet from some Asian butchers.

            • down-under on 26/04/2021 - 11:46
              +10

              @dust: You can buy fresh chicken feet from some Asian butchers.

              Chicken feet can be frozen for half a century and still look fresh šŸ˜‚

              • Archi on 28/04/2021 - 08:36

                @down-under: i've seen chicken feet at coles/worths too

          • unhuman on 27/04/2021 - 21:41

            @82norm: lol wow troll post to the highest level. Love it dude

          • dimes on 28/04/2021 - 04:47

            @82norm: You can buy frozen chicken feet which is already flavoured, just steam it and eat. Ho's Dim Sum is one of the companies that do this.

          • love2buy on 28/04/2021 - 17:17

            @82norm: Bbq shops also sell these. Check the counter. Theres usually also ducks wings, pigs ears, tongues and cow intestines. Sounds gross but all very tasty.

        • ATangk on 26/04/2021 - 20:22
          +2

          If you dont want to spend that much, eat beforehand.

          • Chchnu on 26/04/2021 - 20:47
            +1

            @ATangk: Then why even go?

            • ATangk on 26/04/2021 - 20:52
              +7

              @Chchnu: To yum cha (drink tea).

              Its a social gathering to have a little bite, drink tea and chat. Its not a buffet.

      • htc on 26/04/2021 - 10:23
        +1

        which yum cha did you go?

    • thanatos350 on 26/04/2021 - 16:52
      +15

      I was gonna say, $83 to feed 3 people is fairly inexpensive for eating actual Chinese cuisine, especially because I kind of associate Yumcha with the kind of place you visit on valued occasions where you are happy to spend money.

      It is better than going to somewhere like a sushi train, spending $5 a plate for a few bites of rice and meat, plus whatever your preferred McDonald's meal costs on the way home.

      • SlavOz on 05/05/2021 - 14:24

        If <$30 a head is too expensive, OP shouldn't be eating out. Stores need to turn a profit and there's an immense benefit to having someone prepare a meal for you and handle all the cooking and cleaning. $30 for a meal (from a popular establishment with a large following no less) is not only not expensive, it's cheap.

    • Baghern on 28/04/2021 - 13:58
      +2

      That sounds like city/CBD yum cha along with beers

      That's the only time i see Yumcha past $30 each

      Suburbs without beer range from $12-$20 each when I go

      • No Username on 28/04/2021 - 14:03

        The place I normally go to is in Springvale Victoria. Pretty popular place and always requires booking.

    • meong on 28/04/2021 - 16:58
      -1

      its bad luck to go to yumcha with four people

  • orangetrain on 25/04/2021 - 14:35

    Ask for menu

    • 87percent on 25/04/2021 - 17:22
      -1

      Thereā€™s no menu at yum Cha..

      • kerfuffle on 25/04/2021 - 17:23
        +1

        There is at The Dynasty at Canterbury Leagues but that might be due to COVID-19

        • [Deactivated] on 26/04/2021 - 10:26
          +2

          I reckon Dynasty is the best Yum cha I've had in Aus.

          • kerfuffle on 26/04/2021 - 10:35
            +1

            @[Deactivated]: Food was indeed good, however $5.30 for a Coke is ridiculous

            • [Deactivated] on 26/04/2021 - 10:38
              +1

              @kerfuffle: Yeah, an absolute rort

            • Chchnu on 26/04/2021 - 20:50
              +2

              @kerfuffle: Its yum cha not yum coke. The tea is free.

              • kerfuffle on 26/04/2021 - 20:52

                @Chchnu: Not at The Dynasty or at the Phoenix chain of restaurants.

                • Munki on 27/04/2021 - 12:32
                  +2

                  @kerfuffle: Pretty sure tea isn't usually free at most places. There's a special box in the bill they usually reserve for managers to offer free tea though (e.g. if you know the manager and they give you face by offering tea). This is why if you're going to be there for a while and drinking heaps, ask for new leaves once the tea gets too watered down.

            • Slippery Fish on 28/04/2021 - 08:41
              +1

              @kerfuffle: The food shop in local shopping center charges $5 for a 600ml bottle of water…

          • Baghern on 28/04/2021 - 13:59

            @[Deactivated]: RSL's are altered for Australian taste.

            RSL yum cha's are also have heavy stereotyped Chinese decor

            • [Deactivated] on 30/04/2021 - 12:46

              @Baghern: Yeah, I lived on HK for 7 years… the home of real Yum Cha

      • SmiTTy on 25/04/2021 - 17:49
        +19

        Usually there is the special menu they keep aside only for when the gwa low ask

        • SF3 on 25/04/2021 - 22:36

          gwa low ask

          Chicken feet :)

          • capslock janitor on 26/04/2021 - 10:13
            +7

            @SF3: gwei lo

            • DanielP2 on 26/04/2021 - 21:58
              +2

              @capslock janitor: Lol just looked up what gweilo means. I always just thought of it as an awesome craft brewery :)

          • berry580 on 27/04/2021 - 12:54

            @SF3: Chicken feet for gwai lols?
            That's new to me.

            I know them to like BBQ pork buns and the like more

            • SF3 on 27/04/2021 - 12:57

              @berry580: for the progressive gwei lo or initiation into yum cha cuisine :)

              For the old school, spring roll, bbq buns and those steam dumplings.

        • Blitzfx on 26/04/2021 - 11:58
          +4

          I've been to a few chinese restaurants where the gwei lo menu is more expensive lol

      • SF3 on 25/04/2021 - 22:33

        There is, itā€™s usually the same menu they provide for dinner time, so you could order the same dishes.

        • Munki on 27/04/2021 - 12:33

          Sweet and sour pork and special fried rice. lol

      • dizzle on 26/04/2021 - 13:50

        They'll often have specials or larger plates. Salt and pepper squid normally isn't on the trolley, but on the specials menu.

        • Munki on 27/04/2021 - 12:34

          Deep fried squid tentacles are usually found on trolleys. So good.

    • Munki on 27/04/2021 - 12:28

      Ask for mei nu instead.

      • tightrump on 27/04/2021 - 23:33
        -1

        Ah yes, those are the most succulent indeed

  • ozbargainsam on 25/04/2021 - 14:42
    +41

    $25-$30 is about right.

    Not sure why you're comparing one type of meal to another…oh they're both Chinese. Try replacing that logic with any meal, dunno, a burger meal with a sit down at a restaurant.

    • mskeggs on 25/04/2021 - 15:02
      +75

      Don't view it as racist, just assume that OP would also post "how much for dining at Italian? I can get Domino's for $5".

      • ozbargainsam on 25/04/2021 - 15:10
        +18

        Not racist. More along the line of stereotype, ignorance. Perhaps they think all Chinese food is cheap, and it's not worth more. Dunno.

        Surely no one thinks French and cheap. It's similar.

        • onetwothreefour on 25/04/2021 - 15:40
          +25

          I think you are reading too much into it, it's like saying "I went to an Italian restaurant for lunch last week and paid $30 for a pizza, why would I do that when I can pay $5 at domino's down the road?"

          It's not racist or a stereotype, it's just comparing two different qualities of similar food which is not a good comparison to make.

          • ChatCPT on 26/04/2021 - 12:10
            +6

            @onetwothreefour: Racist/not racist call it whatever you like but OP is definitely suggesting all Chinese food should be cheap as comparing Yum Cha to Chinese Noodles place 'down the road'. They are not cheap pizza vs italian pizza as per your example, clearly a different type of food altogether. Yet suggesting it should be similarly priced. Just ignorant I guess.

        • Dontdoit on 26/04/2021 - 11:14
          +7

          How about he thinks all Chinese food tastes good? As in i could have had a $12 plate and been just as satisfied.

        • pufffdragon on 27/04/2021 - 00:33
          +8

          Lol. It's amazing what passes for racism these days. I don't think anyone knows what it means anymore.

          • Slippery Fish on 28/04/2021 - 08:47
            -1

            @pufffdragon: I hate political correctness. Bring back the real straya where you say what you think and if it wasn't what the other person wanted to hear you sorted it in the parking lot with the victor pushing the plug of his fight winning thongs back through.

          • [Deactivated] on 28/04/2021 - 16:18
            -1

            @pufffdragon: Usain Bolt is the fastest racist on this planet

        • Baghern on 28/04/2021 - 14:01

          More likely they've been told its cheap.

          But without the detail, ie suburban yum cha, not city yum cha, not RSL yum Cha.and no alcohol

          I've see people surprised by a bill, and point out to how many beer bottles they've had

      • Slippery Fish on 28/04/2021 - 08:44
        -2

        Pizza is not traditionally Italian.

  • FocusRider on 25/04/2021 - 14:48
    +9

    Mate that is cheap for 3 people normally it's 50pp on average.

    • htc on 26/04/2021 - 11:29
      +1

      Not sure if it is still offered, some places in Ashfield offered unlimited Yum Cha food for $50 per person.

  • scotty on 25/04/2021 - 14:58
    +26

    Had yumcha after church today, and I haven't had one for yonks. For my family of 4 (2 adult + 2 teens) we ended up paying ~$100 and we are no where near "full". Used to go to yumcha once or twice a month 15-20 years ago, but these days it's too much a luxury for us.

    • capslock janitor on 26/04/2021 - 10:16

      yumcha definitely not something you get "full" on, unless you're baller / showing off to extended relatives/friends lol

      ~70% full should suffice.. similar to many other eatings

    • htc on 26/04/2021 - 11:31
      +2

      Yes, 20 years ago, price is reasonable, although more than 20 years ago, pork roll only 2 bucks, now have to search for places that offers real discount for Yum Cha. So Scotty, which yum cha did you go?

      • scotty on 27/04/2021 - 05:23

        Treasures at the Juniors (3F on South Juniors).

    • boozler on 26/04/2021 - 17:43
      -3

      @scotty, sure you can get full at yum cha, just order pork Har gow and nothing else.

      • Charmoffensive on 26/04/2021 - 19:42
        +7

        Har gow means prawn dumpling.

        Do you mean siu mai?

        • boozler on 26/04/2021 - 20:32

          correct sir

  • skid on 25/04/2021 - 14:59
    -2

    Tea is free with unlimited refills at yum cha lunch time. Have to pay for it at dinner.

    • kerfuffle on 25/04/2021 - 15:31
      +1

      Not all places offer free tea e.g. Canterbury Leaguesā€™ the Dynasty, Phoenix chain restaurants

      • Lord Fart Bucket on 26/04/2021 - 21:15
        +1

        Phoenix chain restaurants

        Not many links left in that chain. Most of them have closed.

        • kerfuffle on 26/04/2021 - 21:20

          Thereā€™s still three in Sydney and one in Brisbane (to my surprise)

    • boomramada on 25/04/2021 - 16:32
      +5

      when you having yum cha in HK, tea is to wash your chopsticks ;)

      • avoidfullprice on 25/04/2021 - 21:33
        +2

        And fill the bowl with tea to wash your tea cup.

        • kiitos on 26/04/2021 - 11:45

          What do you do with the tea in the bowl?

          • kirbycario on 26/04/2021 - 12:21
            +1

            @kiitos: they give you an extra large clear bowl so you can empty it all there

          • Chchnu on 26/04/2021 - 21:01

            @kiitos: Drink it, its free

      • htc on 26/04/2021 - 11:31

        I still do that in all Chinese restaurant.

  • Samsungnote10 on 25/04/2021 - 15:00
    -6

    much prefer the local hatted restaurant that has 2 courses and a glass of wine for $35 at lunch time,

    plus we can have a relaxed meal without a next session waiting

    • mskeggs on 25/04/2021 - 15:05
      +13

      Probably best you go there. How are their Har gow? Good?
      I would find $105 for 3 for lunch a bit over the top.

      • mbck on 25/04/2021 - 15:39
        +13

        Lmao complains about yumcha, as well as the price.

        Talks about some western restaurant (no one drinks wine at a chinese restaurant) and paying more.

        Logic out the windowwww

        • jv on 25/04/2021 - 21:40

          no one drinks wine at a chinese restaurant

          I do at the Flower Drum…

          They do a nice yum cha.

          • kungfupanda on 26/04/2021 - 10:24
            +1

            @jv: show off

            • jv on 26/04/2021 - 10:29
              +2

              @kungfupanda:

              show off

              I only go when I have a 50% off Groupon voucher.

              • SillySorjai on 26/04/2021 - 10:52

                @jv: Quit showing off your group on voucher!

              • Drewbo on 26/04/2021 - 18:55
                +2

                @jv: I assume that you meant Groupon voucher.

      • htc on 26/04/2021 - 11:33

        I usually buy har gow from woolworths, when they are on special, like Mr. Chen. I usually get stuff in yum cha that you can't buy from super market. So unlikely I will get siu mai, also available in woolworths, you will get more bang for your buck this way.

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 25/04/2021 - 15:12
    +35

    Mate its worth it when the lady old lady pushing the cart gives you a wink and asks you what you want, leng jai? (Handsome boy)

      • Jimothy Wongingtons on 25/04/2021 - 15:40
        +12

        When in doubt, just point and indicate with hands the number of baskets - that's how I survived my hk work trip in 2017 lmfao

    • mapax on 25/04/2021 - 17:08
      +2

      Similar service at the last yumcha I went to with my wife. Except the lady was young and kept commenting on my ā€œbeautiful long hairā€ and touching it. Weird part was that it was an all you can eat set price menu so itā€™s not like I was going to be buying extra food.

    • bobbified on 25/04/2021 - 20:07
      +1

      oh man.. that's the bit that makes me laugh so hard - every.single.time!

    • kyle on 25/04/2021 - 21:48

      It gets a little awkward when I get called that when I'm 40+ ā˜ŗļø

    • htc on 26/04/2021 - 11:34

      would it be leng jay?

    • Munki on 27/04/2021 - 16:24

      Just remember to call them lang jeh (pretty big sis) back to be polite.

  • apsilon on 25/04/2021 - 15:23
    +2

    Haven't been for a long time but with my friends we'd average $40 - $50 a head with several big eaters. It is expensive IMO but that's due to the popularity. Places are always packed and usually have a long wait to get in.

  • mbck on 25/04/2021 - 15:37
    +8

    2 different types of dishes. You can't compare them.

    Yumcha are usually hand made one by one (the good ones). So you can't really compare that with roast duck or fried rice or whatever.

    Would you compare pasta from the packet with a handmade one?

    • bobbified on 25/04/2021 - 18:22
      +2

      Yumcha are usually hand made one by one (the good ones).

      There aren't very many that are handmade on the day anymore. Most yum cha places get their staple items, such as prawn dumplings, frozen now and they're stored in the freezer. Although they're probably more of the "higher quality" frozen goods.

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