Tropical Chinese: There’s a reason it’s been a hit for over 30 years
Chinese food and Miami have never really been synonymous. Only with the recent culinary revolution has Miami stepped up its restaurant game and more and more good places to score quality Chinese food have popped up. But Tropical Chinese has been around way before dim sum and peking duck were trendy. This place is the real deal, it is a family run operation that has been open in Miami since 1984, a fact that they proudly display on their wall and menu. And rightfully so because even after more than 30 years it is still slammed every weekend for their Hong Kong style dim sum cart brunch; many people (including myself) consider it to be one of the best Chinese restaurants in Miami.
Tropical Chinese is located in a strip mall near Tropical Park, it is on the far left of the compound and has an unassuming sign that simply states “Tropical Chinese Restaurant & Dim Sum”. Despite the less than glamorous surroundings, every time I have visited on a weekend (which is a lot) their have been people outside waiting for a table. Now the wait usually goes by quickly but the fact that their is a consistent stream of people prepared to wait for a table every weekend says a lot about how good there food is. Clearly, they’ve been doing something right all these years.
I think all of their Dim Sum is delicious but one of my favorites has to be the steamed roast pork bun. The key to a truly great pork bun is without a doubt the dough, and this one is fluffy perfection. It also absorbs soy sauce super well; the mix of the salty soy sauce dipped dough with the sweetness of the bbq pork filling is enough to reach nirvana. Again, I’m being dramatic but they really are that good. Other standout dim sum dishes include the shanghai ginger pork bun, the spinach dumpling, the leek dumplings and of course the classic shrimp dumpling “Har Gao”. You can order these a la carte or from the carts if you go during lunch hours but they will always make a fresh batch if you ask them to, and sometimes even if you don’t. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the fast paced cart service, you could be half way through biting a dumpling and they’ll come around and ask if you want spring rolls. Also, if you don’t know which dumplings are which just take a risk and experiment, each one is hand made in house so odds are they are going to be delicious.
Dim Sum Spread
My dim sum obsession aside,Tropical Chinese also has a lot more to offer. All of their soups (especially the Hot & Sour) and rices are incredibly tasty and their Peking Duck is one of the best in Miami (bonus points for also being one of the cheapest). Their ducks are roasted daily and come with two courses for $65. For the first course the whole duck is brought to your table, the crispy skin is carved and wrapped in steamed pancakes with scallion, cucumber and ___ sauce. The duck is then returned to the kitchen where the chef carves the rest and sautés it in a wok with vegetables. You also have the option of of choosing only one course of the meat and skin wrapped together in the pancake. For me, the peking duck is the best dish at Tropical Chinese, especially in the pancake wraps. You get the crunchy skin with salty fat mixed in with the refreshing cucumber and then sweetness from the sauce creating an incredible treat for your tastebuds. The textures and flavors are just incredible, an absolute must try.
Peking Duck Wraps
Tropical Chinese’s consistent output of delicious and authentic Chinese fare has made them a Miami staple. I still have a lot left to try, their extensive menu makes it hard to try everything but these dishes have been my favorite so far. I will say their hotpot dishes look and smell amazing as well although I have yet to try them.
Any recommendations of other knockout dishes from Tropical that I should try? Comment below, I am always open to suggestions!
The Essentials:
Type of Cuisine: Chinese
Ideal Occasion: lunch or dinner, great for groups, relatively inexpensive
Best Place to Sit: Main Dining room with views of the kitchen
Ambiance: Classic Chinese but with a bit of a modern feel
Service: Kind but usually in a rush
Can’t Miss Dishes: Steamed Pork Bun & Peking Duck Pancake Wraps
Tropical Chinese
7991 SW 40th St,
Miami, FL 33155
305.262.7576 / 305.262.1552
www.tropicalchinesemiami.com
