Screenshot via Instagram/@farmersmarketkb
Audio By Carbonatix
On any given Saturday morning at the Key Biscayne Farmers Market, the line for dumplings starts early. Regulars know the rhythm. You get there before the sun climbs too high, you find the stand, and there’s Mr. Chi, already in motion, greeting everyone with the same easy smile. His stand, All That & Dim Sum, has been a staple for area residents for nearly a decade.
Since 2017, Mr. Chi and his family have shown up week after week, often working through the night to prepare fresh dumplings, buns, and other dim sum favorites before arriving early Saturday morning. That kind of consistency builds more than a customer base. It builds a community.
Screenshot via Instagram/@farmersmarketkb
A Scary Moment That Stopped Everyone
That’s why news of his sudden medical emergency on Saturday, March 28, felt so personal. According to the market’s organizers, Mr. Chi was rushed to the hospital, sending a wave of concern through the tight-knit Key Biscayne crowd. Within hours, customers and fellow vendors were sharing messages, checking in, and asking how they could help.
What followed was immediate and heartfelt. A GoFundMe was launched to support Mr. Chi and his family through medical expenses, recovery, and lost income during this unexpected time. For many, contributing wasn’t a question. It was instinct.
A Much-Needed Update
Then came the update everyone had been hoping for.
On Thursday, April 2, the Key Biscayne Farmers Market shared the news: Mr. Chi is out of the hospital. After what they described as a “scary medical emergency,” he is now recovering and, in true Mr. Chi fashion, already talking about returning to the market as soon as this Saturday.
If you’ve ever met him, that doesn’t come as a surprise. His energy and positivity are part of the “All That & Dim Sum” experience every Saturday.
Screenshot via Instagram/@farmersmarketkb
The Community Shows Up
The response has been nothing short of overwhelming. Messages of support have continued to pour in across social media, with customers sharing everything from favorite orders to simple words of encouragement. “Anything counts to support Chi and Bird at this time,” one person wrote. Another added, “The best dumplings ever. Sending prayers.”
It’s a reflection of what Mr. Chi has quietly built over the years. Not just a business, but a sense of belonging.
In a city like Miami, where the landscape is constantly shifting, it’s easy to take spots like this for granted. A spot where you can find amazing food made with care, served by someone who is dedicated to the community.
Screenshot via GoFundMe
Still Time to Support
While Mr. Chi is now out of the hospital and on the road to recovery, the journey isn’t over. His family is still facing medical expenses and the reality of lost income from time away. The GoFundMe remains active, and the market is encouraging anyone who can to give or share. So far, they have raised over $4,320 for Mr. Chi and his family.
Because if there’s one thing this moment has made clear, it’s this: Mr. Chi has been showing up for this community for years. Now, they’re showing up for him.
And if all goes according to plan, that familiar line for dumplings might feel even more meaningful this Saturday, knowing exactly who’s behind it.
All That & Dim Sum at the Key Biscayne Farmers Market. 355 Glenridge Rd., Key Biscayne, at Key Biscayne Community Church; instagram.com/farmersmarketkb. Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
