Pearlridge’s New Dim Sum at Ten Seconds Yunnan Rice Noodle Is Worth the Wait

Ten Seconds Yunnan Rice Noodle started serving dim sum last month, which is a big deal considering it’s the West Side’s only dine-in option for the fresh, steaming dumplings. Not sure what to expect this far from the island’s hot spots in Chinatown and urban Honolulu, I checked out about half the dim sum menu on a hosted visit (see the reel).  The results: better than I expected. I decide to return for a broader tasting with my dim sum-loving dad.

Some of what we ate during our hosted tasting. Photo: Andrea Lee

The China-based chain restaurant opened at Pearlridge Center in 2023, specializing in Yunnan’s signature rice noodle soup. What brought on the addition of dim sum, which is typically from Canton or Hong Kong? Co-owner Anna Tam, who used to manage Tim Ho Wan in Waikīkī, says a former dim sum chef from the Michelin-starred chain—who’d also made dumplings at Legend Seafood Restaurant, Happy Days and Yung Yee Kee—approached her as she was looking for a way to boost traffic. He started cooking at Ten Seconds later that week.

SEE ALSO: Ten Seconds Yunnan Rice Noodle Is a Different Kind of Hot Pot

The 12 dim sum choices span the standards, from siu mai and shrimp dumplings to spicy shrimp won tons and mini sticky rice bundles; plus a few dishes like turnip cake and chicken feet. Everything is $6.99 except for the xiao long bao soup dumplings, which are $7.99 (note: price lowered from $11.99 and quantity lowered from five to three pieces after this story was published). Dim sum is a lunchtime option for now, from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. or sold out.

My dad and I arrive on a Sunday five minutes before opening. Word has spread: There’s already a decent line waiting.

Photo: Andrea Lee

It’s about 20 minutes until we’re seated. Then, since many tables are seated around the same time, it’s about half an hour until we get our first dish. If you’d rather not wait, best to come after the first wave of customers—by 12:30 p.m., the restaurant is only half full.

We order the siu mai (pork hash), chive and shrimp dumplings, seaweed tofu rolls, mini sticky rice, garlic beef tripe, plain rice roll with mala sesame sauce, and steamed xiao long bao, which will take an extra 15 to 20 minutes. Here’s our review.

Photo: Andrea Lee

Sticky rice, or lo mai gai, arrives first. Though a quarter the size of those elsewhere, the flavors of well-seasoned pork, shrimp and fat permeate the rice. My favorite dish the first time, these lotus leaf-wrapped bundles are just as tasty now.

Siu mai: On both visits, the wrappers stick to the other pieces and slide off the filling. Dad notes that it tastes good, but the texture is different and not so bouncy; more like a meatball. The flavor also leans more towards pork and not shrimp, though we find a shrimp in my dad’s piece.

Photo: Andrea Lee

Steamed rice rolls, or cheung fun, are my dad’s favorite. Here, they lack the typical springiness, and the mala sesame sauce becomes the star—sweet, nutty and a tiny bit spicy.

Photo: Andrea Lee

Xiao long bao: Disappointing. The wrappers stick together and tear when picked up, spilling all the soup and leaving the meat filling and torn bottom stuck to the paper. That said, the taste is close to authentic, according to my dad. Without the soup, a dash of red vinegar helps punch up the flavor. (Note: Ten Seconds now serves three pieces of xiao long bao, allowing for more space in the steamer basket.)

Photo: Andrea Lee

Seaweed tofu roll: Warm, juicy and crunchy, this is Dad’s favorite. Other places make them dry inside, he says. Soft, melty tofu is mixed with shrimp and green onion, a nice contrast to the crispy fried wrapper.

Garlic beef tripe and chive and shrimp dumplings: Both are good. From my first visit, I’d also recommend any of the shrimp dumplings and bean curd rolls, which have plump and juicy shrimps.

Photo: Andrea Lee

Portions are on the smaller side, so while our stomachs are full, we’re not stuffed like we usually are after dim sum. Other people are ordering house specialty noodle soups too, and unlike other dim sum parlors, there are lots of appetizers, boba teas, bubble waffles and soufflé pancakes.

If you’re in the area, Ten Seconds Yunnan Rice Noodle is a good option for dim sum. If you’re like my dad, you might find it a bit non-traditional, but the new lunch focus is definitely a great addition to the neighborhood.

Dim sum offered daily, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., last call 2:45 p.m., Pearlridge Center Mauka 2nd floor (near Ross), 98-1005 Moanalua Road, ‘Aiea, tensecondshi.com, @tensecondshi

SEE ALSO: Is Mei Sum the Best Dim Sum in Chinatown?

Andrea Lee is the digital editor of HONOLULU Magazine. Her Hong Kong-born dad, Manson Lee, is one of Frolic’s unofficial Chinese food experts.