What is Dimsum?
If you have ever lived in a place with a decent Chinese population (especially Cantonese people), you would have heard of dimsum. But what is it?!
“Dim sum” is the romanization of the Chinese words 點心, This vocabulary has a meaning of snacks, delicate snacks, and this specific type of food you eat at a Cantonese restaurant. In this context, Dim sum is this food group that was originated from the Canton region in Southeast China.
Dim sum is usually available at restaurants called “tea house” and “wine restaurant” during breakfast and lunch. They are small dishes that are fried, steam and pan-fried. Steam items include buns with sweet or savory fillings like meat or bean paste, different dumplings, rice rolls, meat balls, etc. They usually come in a small round bamboo or stainless steel basket.
On any given mornings, you can see a lot of grandmas and grandpas hanging out at tea houses. Going to tea houses on the weekends is also a tradition for many families. Dimsum restaurants are great places for gatherings, but it can get noisy as everyone is talking!
What to order?
My favorite dishes to order are Molten Lava Custard Buns, Siu Mai (Pork and Shrimp Dumplings) and Har gow (translucent shrimp dumplings). Dim sum restaurants’ menus are evolving. When I was little, there’s only custard buns, in stead of “molten lava custard buns.” Dim Sum Chefs are creative I have to say. One restaurant I went in Hong Kong this past summer offered frieds turnip slices wrapped in rice rolls. It’s surprisingly very delicious!! It was something I had never had before.
My daughters love the fried glutinous rice dumplings and the molten lava bun. They said the fired glutinous rice dumplings is “fried mochi!” It is crispy and chewy (I know not everyone is a fan for chewy food haha).
If you have never had Dimsum before, I would say it doesn’t hurt to try one of each. But remember, each order comes with at least 3 of the same item — meaning if you order 1 Charsiu Bao (barbecue pork bun), you will get 3 buns in your basket!
Most Dimsum restaurants also offer “regular Chinese food” like fried rice, stir-fry, seafood, broccoli beef, so if you are not as adventurous, you can order some safe food in case you don’t like any of the Dimsum you order. (I get sometimes it’s kind of hard to try new food!!)
I hope you will enjoy Dimsum as much as we do! Let me know if you need more help on ordering Dim sum!!
Categories
Loading…
Quick View
2026 Dimsum Desktop Calendar – Hand Drawn Illustrations
$26.00
Add to cart
Quick View
Basket of Shrimp Dumpling 蝦餃 Sticker
$3.00
Add to cart
Quick View
Basket of Cha Siu Bun BBQ Pork Bun 叉燒包 Sticker
$3.00
Add to cart
Quick View
Basket of Molten Egg Yolk Bun 流沙包 Sticker
$3.00
Add to cart
Leave a Reply