About Dim Sum
Dim Sum is a style of Chinese cuisine that involves small portions of food, traditionally served in bamboo steamers alongside Chinese tea. The term "dim sum" literally means "touch the heart" in Cantonese, and the tradition began in teahouses along the Silk Road.
Popular Dim Sum Dishes
- Har Gow (蝦餃) - Shrimp Dumplings
- Siu Mai (燒賣) - Pork and Shrimp Dumplings
- Char Siu Bao (叉燒包) - BBQ Pork Buns
- Cheung Fun (腸粉) - Rice Noodle Rolls
- Lo Mai Gai (糯米雞) - Sticky Rice in Lotus Leaf
- Egg Tarts (蛋撻) - Custard Tarts
- Fung Zao (鳳爪) - Phoenix Claws (Chicken Feet)
Dining Experience
Dim Sum is traditionally enjoyed as a brunch meal with family and friends. Small portions are shared among diners, allowing everyone to taste a variety of dishes. Tea is an essential part of the experience, and the phrase "yum cha" (drinking tea) is synonymous with eating dim sum.
Cultural Significance
Dim Sum represents the Cantonese culinary art of creating delicate, bite-sized portions that showcase the chef's skill in different cooking techniques. It's a social dining experience that brings people together and has become popular worldwide as a representation of Chinese cuisine.
Etiquette
There are several customs associated with dim sum dining, such as tapping fingers on the table to thank someone for pouring tea, leaving the teapot lid open when it needs a refill, and sharing dishes communally. These practices reflect the social and communal nature of the dining experience.