Though it’s not in the heart of Georgetown, Ping Pong Dim Sum in Dupont Circle offers the District the best of traditional Chinese cuisine, with its modern twist on dumplings. Reinventing the ancient Chinese staple, Ping Pong doesn’t disappoint in its aim to fuse Eastern and Western flavors in their contemporary take on these “tiny parcels of deliciousness.”
Upon first sitting down in Ping Pong’s sleek, tastefully decorated interior, it becomes clear this isn’t your typical Chinese takeout. The menu boasts an impressive and almost overwhelming gourmet selection of dim sum and signature dishes. From the scallop and shiitake steamed dumplings in translucent pastry to the grilled spinach and mushroom dumplings in crispy wheat flour pastry, the menu embraces its emphasis on fusion by combining traditional flavors in innovative ways.
With its creative, sometimes surprising culinary offerings, patrons are encouraged to order a series of small plates family style. Ping Pong’s Dim Sum A-Z guide is extremely helpful, as it decodes the menu’s different dim sum samplers, clay rice pots, vegetables, and Asian-inspired desserts. The servers, who were attentive without being overbearing, made the menu a little more decipherable by offering helpful recommendations. Nevertheless, Ping Pong is not for the faint of heart, or thin-walleted. With an order of three dumplings costing as much as a Wisey’s Chicken Madness, patrons must be prepared to pay for this Asian culinary adventure, which borders the fine line between interesting flavor and bizarre creation.
On the other hand, beyond its basic menu, Ping Pong offers a series of special offers. These offers range from Dim Sum samplings to a reasonably priced happy hour, all of which make the eatery more of a place for swanky drinks and small bites than filling meals. In addition to its daily happy hour and nibbler menu, Ping Pong offers a series of fun deals like the “sum’thing special secret dim sum and cocktail of the month,” or its healthy or hearty lunch specials, which are served until 5 p.m. each day.
Furthermore, one look at its well-stocked bar and drink menu, which easily doubles the selection on the basic dim sum menu, makes it obvious that Ping Pong caters to a 21-plus crowd, ideally with parents footing the bill. Still, while the drinks are pricey, their expert presentation combined with the mixologists’ commitment to making a unique concoction makes it a little easier to part with your money.
Though definitely not the place for an over the top dinner, Ping Pong’s Dim Sum and drink specials are worth the departure from the Georgetown bubble. If you have an adventurous spirit, and a willingness to try Asian fusion that may or may not strike one’s palate, Ping Pong takes Chinese food to new and trendy heights.
