A familiar name in the local culinary scene is set to return this fall when Tsang’s Dim Sum & Bar opens in the former Medium Rare space at 5538 Magazine St. The venture marks a return to roots for co-owner Bonnie Ceng, whose parents previously owned three successful Chinese restaurants before retiring. For Ceng, the pull of the hospitality industry was impossible to ignore. The new spot is co-owned by her and her mother Judy Ceng.
“I kind of felt like I wanted to continue the legacy that they had already built and so the restaurant just kind of always pulls me back,” Ceng told What Now New Orleans. “I just feel like it’s been my calling just like it’s been like my mom’s calling.”
While Ceng manages the front-of-house vision, her husband has spent years mastering the family’s recipes and will run the back-of-house. The menu will feature a blend of nostalgic favorites and more contemporary additions, with a particular focus on dumplings. Diners can expect staples like pork buns and Xiao Long Bao, alongside unique offerings such as black salted egg custard buns and salt fish chicken fried rice. Unlike the traditional dim sum experience often defined by roving push carts, Tsang’s will offer full table service.
Ceng believes the city is ready for a deeper dive into the nuances of Chinese gastronomy beyond the standard takeout fare.
“New Orleans deserves a lot more of a Chinese food scene,” she said. “How it’s made, how it’s prepared — I think there’s such an art form to it.”
The space has undergone significant renovations to create an atmosphere that blends traditional Chinese aesthetics with modern design elements. A major highlight of the new location is an expanded bar program. The new sit-down bar area will serve a curated selection of cocktails specifically designed to complement the savory and salt-forward profile of the dim sum menu.
Ceng said the restaurant was given a family name to evoke a homey social environment, reminiscent of the large family gatherings she grew up with. While an exact opening date has not yet been finalized, the owners are currently aiming for a fall debut
