On a dim sum-themed bike ride several years ago, some cycling friends and I ventured down the peninsula for an annual bike swap that takes place in Cupertino. Per the recommendations of the dim sum aficionados in our group, we stopped by the Joy Luck Palace afterwards for lunch. It's also located within a shopping center -- Cupertino Village -- and a welcoming wooden archway gives way to their vast main dining space. If you decide to come on a Sunday, be ready to take a number and wait at least a half-hour in the small foyer or courtyard. But once you're seated, servers are quickly making the rounds, so it'll be no time before you've got a bamboo steamer basket of fresh dumplings on your table. Select kitchen items, like sauteed green beans with tofu are spooned hot from a clay pot atop one of the roving carts. Sticky rice wrapped in a lotus leaf is filled with juicy roast pork, sausage and creamy mashed mung beans, steamed beef balls have a sweet, spongy texture and their classic pork dumplings are topped with fish roe. The golden, baked sweet buns with a coconut-honey filling are a delicious dessert.

Joy Luck Palace
10911 N Wolfe Rd. [Map]
Cupertino, CA 95014
Ph: (408) 255-6988
Hours: Mon-Sun 11am-2:30pm
Mon-Sun 5:30pm-9:30pm
Facebook: Joy Luck Palace
Price range: $$ Entrees ($11-$17)

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5 Bites: Delightful Bay Area Dim Sum