Mei Sum Dim Sum
Chinatown, Honolulu
Restaurant in Honolulu, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Casual
Why go
Book Mei Sum Dim Sum for a casual Chinatown dim sum meal, especially with a group that wants shared plates and a low-ceremony setting. It is less convincing for a polished special occasion, quiet business dinner, or wine-led night, so set the expectation around ease and flexibility rather than ceremony.
About Mei Sum Dim Sum
Should you book Mei Sum Dim Sum in Honolulu? Mei Sum Dim Sum is a casual Honolulu venue with published opening hours and a casual dress code. It is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from 9 AM to 8 PM, Saturday and Sunday from 8 AM to 8 PM, closed Wednesday.
Book it for a casual Honolulu meal
Mei Sum Dim Sum works best as an easygoing option rather than a formal occasion restaurant. The dress code is casual, which makes it a better fit for diners who want a low-ceremony meal in Honolulu than for anyone planning around a highly structured or dressy experience.
Avoid building plans around specifics such as menu format, service style, beverage offerings, pricing, or special accommodations. Use the published hours as the main starting point, especially the Wednesday closure and the earlier weekend opening time.
Who should skip it
Skip it if your decision depends on features such as awards, chef credentials, a tasting-menu structure, a particular drinks program, or specific dietary handling.
For broader planning, use our full Honolulu restaurants guide to decide whether Mei Sum Dim Sum fits your plans, then compare it with other Honolulu dining options before committing. If the goal is a casual stop with direct hours, it may make sense; if the occasion requires special-occasion features, check directly before you go.
Planning details
- Location
- 1170 Nuuanu Ave #102, Honolulu, HI 96817
- Website
- meisumdimsumhi.com
- Phone
- +18085313268
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Mei Sum Dim Sum feels like a neighborhood institution tucked into Honolulu’s Chinatown rather than a polished tourist destination. The room is unpretentious and function-first: its purpose is to deliver dim sum efficiently and let the food do the talking. That local, working-room energy translates to an informal, slightly bustling atmosphere where classics are the point of pride—the quality of the har gow skin and the balance of a char siu bao matter more than plated spectacle. It’s approachable, rooted in community, and refreshingly direct in its culinary priorities.
Best For
This is a place for communal, midday eating—ideal for weekend brunches and lunch visits with family or groups who want to sample broadly. Dim sum’s small-plate logic lends itself to sharing, so bring companions and order many dishes to pass. It’s not aimed at resort-style special occasions; instead it’s best for casual hangouts, family meals, or anyone seeking an authentic Chinatown yum cha experience where pragmatic service and tried-and-true flavors are the main draw.
Ordering Tips
Treat the menu as a sampler: order across steam, pan-fry and baked preparations so you get a rounded sense of the kitchen. Prioritize signature items—shrimp dumpling (har gow), char siu bao, spareribs with black bean sauce, and sweet coconut sesame ball—to judge technique and flavor. Don’t skip sticky rice or egg tarts if available. Pace the meal by sharing multiple small plates rather than picking a single entrée; that horizontal approach is how dim sum is meant to be enjoyed.
Venue details
Ambiance
Snug and bustling with a lively Chinatown atmosphere.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Casual
- Noise Level
- Lively
- Service Style
- Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Quick Bite
- Capacity
- Medium
Signature Dishes
- shrimp dumpling
- char siu bao
- spareribs with black bean sauce
- sweet coconut sesame ball
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Also Consider
- Rangoon Burmese kitchen, Notable alternative
- Duc's Bistro, Notable alternative
- Maguro Brothers Hawaii Chinatown, Notable alternative
- Lucky Belly, Notable alternative
- Maunakea Marketplace, Notable alternative
Restaurant context
How it compares in Honolulu
Choose Mei Sum Dim Sum when the priority is a casual shared meal in Chinatown. Rangoon Burmese kitchen is the better cross-shop if the group wants a more distinctive cuisine lane, while Maunakea Marketplace makes more sense for grazing and maximum flexibility rather than one seated meal.
For a more composed dinner, Duc's Bistro is the stronger alternative, especially if the occasion needs more structure than dim sum usually provides. Lucky Belly is the better pick for a livelier modern dining-room feel, while Maguro Brothers Hawaii Chinatown is a sharper choice when seafood is the main target.
The practical read: Mei Sum Dim Sum is for value-minded, low-friction group eating; Duc's Bistro is for a more deliberate dinner; Rangoon Burmese kitchen is for diners who want a stronger cuisine switch; Maunakea Marketplace is for casual exploration. If the meal is meant to feel celebratory, cross-shop before committing.
Explore Honolulu
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Mei Sum Dim Sum guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Mei Sum Dim Sum
| Venue | Location | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Mei Sum Dim Sum | Honolulu | No published awards |
| Rangoon Burmese kitchen | Honolulu | No published awards |
| Duc's Bistro | Honolulu | No published awards |
| Maguro Brothers Hawaii Chinatown | Urban Honolulu | No published awards |
| Lucky Belly | Urban Honolulu | No published awards |
| Maunakea Marketplace | Honolulu | No published awards |
How Mei Sum Dim Sum Honolulu compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a first-timer know about Mei Sum Dim Sum?
Go in expecting a casual venue in Honolulu. It is closed on Wednesday; published hours are 9 AM to 8 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 8 AM to 8 PM on Saturday and Sunday.
Does Mei Sum Dim Sum handle dietary restrictions?
Ask the venue directly about dietary and allergy-handling details before dining if you need specific accommodations.
Is lunch or dinner better at Mei Sum Dim Sum?
Mei Sum Dim Sum's opening hours are: 9 AM to 8 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday; closed Wednesday; and 8 AM to 8 PM on Saturday and Sunday. Choose a time within those hours and confirm current details directly if timing matters.
Is Mei Sum Dim Sum good for a special occasion?
It may fit a casual occasion, since the dress code is casual. If you need special-occasion features, formal service, or specific menu details, check directly before booking or visiting.
What are alternatives to Mei Sum Dim Sum in Honolulu?
Other Honolulu options to compare include Lucky Belly, Maunakea Marketplace, Rangoon Burmese kitchen, Duc's Bistro, Maguro Brothers Hawaii Chinatown, depending on the kind of meal you want.
