Packing plenty of steam power and modern in design, Ping Pong Dim Sum opened December 11 in Penn Quarter, one block from the Washington Convention Center. The 6,100-square-foot, 238-seat bar and restaurant is the first U.S. outpost for the British chain, which has 14 locations in the U.K. as well as one each in Dubai and Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Best suited for sharing, the menu focuses on sweet and savory Cantonese-style steamed buns, dumplings, and traditional shu mai, stuffed with chicken, pork, shrimp, or vegetables—all cooked in an open kitchen. The wait staff serves the small plates at communal tables in the bar and main dining area, which has dark wood furnishings and stainless steel accents. Beverages include a wide variety of teas and bubble tea cocktails.
For events, there’s a semiprivate room that holds 50 for receptions and seats 36.
The bar at Ping Pong Dim Sum
Photo: Don Cooper
The semiprivate event room seats 36.
Photo: Don Cooper
Bartenders at Ping Pong pour traditional and bubble tea cocktails.
Photo: Don Cooper
The modern Asian decor includes hightop dark wood tables and stools.
Photo: Don Cooper
The open kitchen has its own semicircle of seating.
Photo: Don Cooper
The menu of Cantonese dim sum includes steamed buns and dumplings, hand-wrapped spring rolls, and traditional shu mai.
Photo: Don Cooper
