Emma Sky
01 Aug 2025
Dim Sum is Chinese dining with bite-sized dishes presented in bamboo baskets. It originated from Cantonese cuisine and is essential to the Chinese New Year party. Now, it is a Social affair accompanied by tea, known as the Yum Cha. The dishes in Dim Sum include dumplings, buns, and rolls.
This article is an informational guide for you to know the details about Dim Sum.
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Dim Sum originated in southern China. It became a tradition when tea houses in Hong Kong and Guangdong started serving side dishes. Over time, it became a staple of Chinese food culture. The dim sum includes dumplings, buns, rolls, and other classic dishes.
Dim sum is a staple of Chinese dining. It includes rice, soy sauce, noodles, tea, chilli oil, tofu, and chopsticks. It is a shared plate experience. The food is steamed and presented in bamboo baskets. "Dim Sum" is a Cantonese term meaning "touch the heart."
Traditionally, the food was served in the trolleys, but with time, it evolved with Dim Sum into fine dining. Many Michelin-starred restaurants, including Tim Ho Wan and Yauatcha, started this Cantonese tradition. Dim Sum is served with tea, which is constantly refilled with time.
Dim Sum is not just the name of a dish. What makes it unique is the variety of cuisine included.
Different types of cakes are included in Dim Sum.
Turnip cake is the most delicious cake in Dim Sum. It is made from turnip and rice flour fried until golden. Chinese sausages and mushrooms are added, and the cake is enjoyed with a dollop of chilli sauce.
Water chestnut cakes are puddings made from water chestnuts. Some restaurants serve them with bamboo juice.
Nian gao is used in New Year festivals and rituals. The cake is made from glutinous rice and taro, which is properly cooked. It is coated with egg or cornstarch before frying.
Meatballs are usually made from beef or pork. The meat is steamed, and the binder is used to make the meatballs when it becomes tender. These balls are served on tofu skin with Worcestershire sauce.
Lion’s Head is a unique Dim Sum dish made from ground pork, a pork meatball. The main ingredient is Napa cabbage, which is stewed in broth.
Phoenix claws are the chicken feet used in traditional Chinese dishes. These are boiled, steamed, and deep-fried.
Some of the dishes made of rice in Dim Sum include.
The dish's main ingredient is glutinous rice. It also includes egg yolk, scallops, meat, and mushrooms wrapped in a lotus leaf.
Chinese sticky rice is stir-fried glutinous rice made with soy sauce, mushrooms, and marinated chicken.
Sui Mai is a classic Dim Sum dish containing seasoned pork, shrimp, and ginger.
Shrimp dumplings are silky, stuffed dumplings filled with shrimp. The filling is placed in thin wrappers, steamed, and served with sauces.
Spring rolls are a famous Dim Sum dish—deep-fried rolls filled with vegetables and meat, including carrots, cabbage, mushrooms, and Chinese sauces.
Like spring rolls, tofu skin rolls are filled with vegetables and meat. However, the base of the roll is made of tofu skin.
Four-treasure chicken rolls use tofu skin as a base. The ingredients include Jinhua ham, Chinese mushrooms, and fish maw.
The best Dim Sum you can try is in the famous Chinese restaurants. Hong Kong is the best place to enjoy the Dim Sum. Chinatown in London is also popular for best Dim Sum. For authentic Dim Sum, see our top China travel guide.
Other places include Yauatcha, Baba Tang, and Yi-Ban. Michelin-starred restaurants are the most affordable places to enjoy the finest Dim Sum.
If you are a frequent traveller and a food lover, Dim Sum is a delicious cuisine you must try. People search for different types of Dim Sum dishes while travelling to the destination country. Here, eSIM will help you provide a 24/7 internet connection.
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Dim Sum is Chinese dining that includes a variety of dishes and is presented in bamboo baskets. The dishes include dumplings, rolls, cakes, and meat recipes. It became a tradition with time and served the dishes with tea. If you are looking for a famous place with the best Dim Sum, you should visit Hong Kong.
It depends on the dishes you select to add to Dim Sum. Some dishes are fried, which adds carbohydrates and fats. Therefore, fried items are not considered healthy. However, steamed and boiled foods are healthy and refreshing.
Dim Sum is a Chinese word that means "touch the heart." Initially, it was considered a snack during various celebrations. However, over time, it became a tradition in Chinese culture.
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