The restaurant, which opened in 1976 as Chinatown's first giant dim sum parlor and banquet hall, continues to discount prices 30 percent to draw customers.

When rain threatened, we ducked into a dim sum parlor called Dol Ho.

People run out of the many bakeries and dim sum parlors, out of the Yaohan department store, out of the boutiques, to watch the free half-hour water show.

At most dim sum parlors, carts laden with freshly made offerings are wheeled around the room.

At night they filled with expatriates, and in the morning they were alfresco dim sum parlors, alive with Cantonese conversation.

At K. B. Garden, a vast, bright bustling place that by day is a dim sum parlor, the food is superbly simple.

And if you have ever tasted the custard tarts in dim sum parlors but were put off by the lard in the pastry, you'll want to taste the ones served here.

It's still possible to head for dim sum parlors in Chinatown on Sunday morning.

Actually, it is difficult not to think about lunch when one is closeted with people who arrive for their civic duty armed with a list of dim sum parlors.

NEW YORK'S dim sum parlors tend to be crowded and loud, exciting yet relaxed.