A Week of Dim Sum in Denver Beyond Dumpling Hype

Monday is not my trophy meal; it is the comfort-food baseline. Great Wall Chinese Restaurant serves noodle and rice plates on Colfax, so I would start with one of those rather than hunt an unverified special. For serious eaters juggling a stroller, a focused first order beats a sprawling spread. Ask about space before settling in, then photograph the full plate and eat. Save the dumpling comparisons for tomorrow.

Not another trophy photograph. Chopstickers is about Shandong dumplings and water-fried bao, with texture as the reason to stop. Order the pork bao first, then decide whether vegan dandan noodles deserve a second dish. That makes the crisp-versus-soft comparison the point of this stop for curious eaters, rather than the size of the spread. Ask where a stroller can stand clear, and frame the bao spread before dividing it.

Wednesday is not a basket-counting contest; it is a comparison of comfort styles. At Ma’s Kitchen Dim Sum Next Door, make xiao long bao the first order before considering Sichuan dishes. Hong Kong Station 3 adds brisket soup and Hong Kong cafe staples for a second conversation, not a second full dinner. For sharing-minded hunters, try the short walk between York and Colfax only after confirming both kitchens are serving and asking about stroller space.

A noodle shop, not another basket tally: Noodles by Nina gives the week a different texture. Hand-pulled noodles and the signature Magic Beef Noodle Soup make this my reset for eaters who want more than dumpling photographs. My move is to put the noodle soup first, with dumplings or soft buns as optional extras. Aim for the listed 11 a.m. opening if that suits the family rhythm; ask about stroller placement before ordering, not after.

Not another dumpling verdict: Friday is my breakfast contrast. Onefold Uptown turns out scratch-made congee and bacon fried rice, with weekends regularly drawing a line. My Friday choice is an alternative, not a promise of an empty room. For hunters documenting every course, let congee lead the order before adding rice. The listed weekday opening is 7 a.m.; ask about stroller space, photograph the bowl, and avoid treating queue length as a taste verdict.

Popularity is not my authenticity test; Saturday is for reinterpretation. ChoLon pairs French soup dumplings with inventive small plates in LoDo, which makes it my conversation stop for a group comparing styles. For the opening order, the signature soup dumplings earn my vote; one contrasting small plate prevents novelty from becoming the verdict. Ask how to handle the dumplings and where to park a stroller; take the room photograph without delaying everyone’s meal.

Less about a maximal order, more about a shared-table edit. Little Ollie’s brings dim sum and classic wok dishes to Cherry Creek, giving committed tasters a broader Chinese-food finish after Saturday’s reinterpretation. At my final table, dim sum comes before a wok dish; the rest depends on what everyone still wants. My first question is where the stroller can fit. Photograph the spread once, pass the plates, and skip extras ordered only to fill the frame.