Dim Sum Food is a beloved culinary tradition, and at larosafoods.com, we’re excited to guide you through this delightful experience with tasty recipes and essential cooking tips. This guide will help you explore the world of dim sum, from its origins to the must-try dishes, all while providing the solutions you need to enjoy it at home or in your favorite restaurant, complemented by detailed information on dim sum cuisine, Cantonese cuisine and authentic Chinese flavors.
1. What Exactly Is Dim Sum Food?
Dim sum translates to “touching the heart,” is a traditional Cantonese cuisine. Dim sum is all about sharing small, delectable portions of food, typically enjoyed with tea, originating from the Song Dynasty (960-1279 CE) in China and closely linked to regions of Guanzhong and Hong Kong. According to research from the University of California, Berkeley, in July 2023, dim sum, is a delightful brunch of small dishes served with tea, also known as “yum cha”, which translates to “drink tea”.
1.1. Why Is Tea Served with Dim Sum?
Serving tea alongside dim sum is a tradition with deep historical roots in Chinese culture. Historically, tea houses offered tasty snacks with tea, making it a social and culinary custom. Black, jasmine, chrysanthemum, and oolong teas are great choices because they enhance the meal and cleanse the palate.
1.2. What Are the Main Types of Dim Sum?
Dim sum can be divided into two major categories: savory and sweet. Each of these categories has further sub-divisions such as steamed, stir-fried, deep-fried, and baked. These broad categories offer a wide variety of flavors and textures, allowing for a varied and delightful eating experience.
2. How Does Ordering Dim Sum Work?
Ordering dim sum can be an exciting experience, especially if you know what to expect. Here is a simple guide to help you navigate the process like a pro.
2.1. Start With Selecting Your Tea
alt text: A steaming teapot with delicate cups, ready for a traditional dim sum tea pairing
Tea is an integral part of the dim sum experience. In many dim sum restaurants, you’ll begin by choosing your tea. Popular options include black tea, jasmine tea, chrysanthemum tea, and oolong tea. Each type of tea offers a unique flavor profile that complements the various dim sum dishes. Following the proper etiquette, the youngest person at the table should pour tea for everyone else, starting with the oldest.
2.2. Ordering From Pushcarts
One of the most charming aspects of dim sum is the use of pushcarts. Servers wheel carts filled with a variety of dim sum dishes through the restaurant. As the carts pass by your table, you can point out the dishes you want to try. The server will then add these to your table and mark your check with a stamp or pen to indicate the price of each item.
2.3. Ordering Dishes Not on Pushcarts
It is important to note that not all dim sum items are available on the pushcarts. If you have a specific dish in mind, such as xiao long bao, you can ask your server to bring it to you. They may need to request it from the kitchen or another cart. Some restaurants do not use pushcarts at all, in which case you will order from a menu.
2.4. What About The Cost Of Dim Sum?
The cost of dim sum can vary depending on the restaurant, region, and the number of dishes you order. Typically, expect to spend between $12 and $20 per person. Most groups order around 2-3 dishes per person to share. Prices for individual dishes range from about $4 for items like shrimp shumai to $6 for larger dishes like chicken sticky rice.
3. Must-Try Dim Sum Menu Items
Dim sum is ideal for group meals, allowing you to sample a wide variety of dishes. It’s also a great option for those days when you’re craving comfort food. Here are some of the most popular and delicious dim sum items you should try.
3.1. Steamed Dim Sum Dishes
Steamed dim sum dishes are prized for their delicate flavors and textures. Cooking with steam preserves the natural flavors of the ingredients while providing a light and healthy dining experience.
3.1.1. Shumai (Siumai) – Steamed Pork and Shrimp Dumplings
alt text: A close-up of shumai, showcasing the intricate details of the pork and shrimp filling
Shumai are classic dumplings made with a thin wrapper filled with minced pork, shrimp, mushrooms, and flavorful seasonings like soy sauce and sesame oil. Originating from the Yuan dynasty in North China, shumai are typically garnished with minced carrot, giving them a flowery appearance.
3.1.2. Har Gow – Steamed Shrimp Dumplings
Har gow is a traditional Cantonese dish made of whole, marinated shrimp encased in a translucent, pleated wrapper. Created by a chef from the Yizhen Teahouse in China, these dumplings are often served with hot mustard and soy sauce.
3.1.3. Xiao Long Bao – Soup Dumplings
alt text: Xiao long bao being carefully lifted, revealing the rich soup inside
Xiao long bao, popularized by Din Tai Fung, are soup dumplings filled with juicy minced pork and melted jelly stock. The delicate skin requires careful handling; these dumplings are typically placed on a soup spoon with ginger slices and vinegar for seasoning.
3.1.4. Cheung Fun – Steamed Rice Paper With Filling
Cheung fun, or cheong fun, are thin rice noodles wrapped around fillings like char siu or shrimp. A soy sauce-based sauce is often drizzled on top. Originating in Guangdong province and Hong Kong, these noodles are easy to eat when sliced in half and picked up with chopsticks.
3.1.5. Char Siu Bao – Steamed BBQ Pork Buns
Char siu bao, also known as BBQ pork buns, are made with a soft, fluffy steamed dough and filled with a sweet and savory stewed pork called char siu. These buns often have a swirl or floral shape on top.
3.1.6. Gailan – Chinese Broccoli
alt text: Steamed gailan drizzled with oyster sauce, a simple yet elegant vegetable dish
Gailan, or Chinese broccoli, is a fresh steamed vegetable drizzled with a simple oyster sauce. This dish was first created in the late 1800s by the founder of Lee Kum Kee in Hong Kong.
3.1.7. Lo Mai Gai – Steamed Sticky Rice
Lo mai gai is a dish made of sticky rice with meat, savory seasonings like soy sauce and oyster sauce, ginger, and green onions, all wrapped in dried lotus leaves and steamed. These packets are quite filling and often come in pairs or a single large piece.
3.1.8. Black Bean Spare Ribs
Black bean spare ribs consist of chopped spare ribs steamed in fermented black beans, garlic, ginger, wine, and other seasonings. The ribs become tender and juicy, eliminating the need for extra dipping sauces.
3.1.9. Congee – Rice Porridge With Toppings
Congee is a rice porridge served with toppings like scallions, salted duck egg slices, sliced crullers, and various proteins. Originating from Guangzhou, congee is made by cooking rice in vegetable or meat stock and seasoned with condiments and toppings.
3.2. Deep-Fried & Stir-Fried Dim Sum Dishes
These dishes offer a delightful contrast to steamed items, adding richness and crispiness to your dim sum experience.
3.2.1. Fèng Zhǎo – Braised Chicken Feet
alt text: A plate of fèng zhǎo, showcasing the tender, braised chicken feet
Chicken feet, or fèng zhǎo, are fried and braised whole chicken feet sauteed in a garlicky, black bean fermented sauce with chili oil. This dish is popular in China for its soft skin and chewy tendons.
3.2.2. Fried Spring Rolls
Spring rolls originated during the Jin Dynasty and have evolved into thin, deep-fried wrappers with minced meat and vegetables. They are a quintessential Chinese dish, perfect for celebrating the Spring Festival.
3.2.3. Haam Sui Gau – Fried “Footballs”
Haam sui gau, or shrimp footballs, are deep-fried ovals of crunchy rice dough filled with meat, shrimp, and vegetables. Originating in Guangdong province teahouses, they are often cut in half and dipped in soy sauce or mustard.
3.2.4. Sheng Jian Bao – Pan-Fried Buns
Pan-fried buns, or sheng jian bao, are similar to xiao long bao but steamed directly on a pan, resulting in a golden crust on the bottom. They are filled with minced pork and vegetables and drizzled with a soy sauce, chili oil, and sesame-based sauce.
3.2.5. Shrimp Wontons
Shrimp wontons are deep-fried wrappers encasing a marinated shrimp filling. Common in Asian American restaurants, these fried wontons are often served with a sweet and sour dipping sauce.
3.2.6. Wu Gok – Taro Wrapped Pork Dumplings
Taro wrapped pork dumplings, or wu gok, consist of mashed taro root dough wrapped around a minced meat, mushroom, and scallion filling, then deep-fried to create a crisp, honeycomb-like outer crust. Originating in Guangxi, they are best enjoyed with soy sauce or hot mustard.
3.2.7. Pan-Fried Turnip Cake
Pan-fried turnip cakes, or lo bak go, are made from a mix of radish and rice flour with meat, mushrooms, shrimp, and other ingredients. Cooked on hot griddles, they have a golden-brown crust and tender center, served with oyster sauce.
3.2.8. Shrimp or Crab Lollipops
Shrimp and crab lollipops, originating from Guangzhou, are made from de-shelled crab claws or minced shrimp coated in breading and deep-fried. The crab claw or shrimp is molded over a sugarcane stick, creating a “lollipop” that can be dipped in soy sauce.
3.3. Baked Dim Sum Dishes
These baked items provide a warm, comforting experience, perfect for those who enjoy a richer, more substantial bite.
3.3.1. Baked Char Siu Pork Buns
Baked char siu buns are similar to steamed char siu bao but made with traditional flour dough and baked to a golden brown with a slightly sweet coating. They are filled with minced char siu and savory sauces like soy sauce and Shaoxing wine.
3.3.2. Char Siu Sou – Pastry Puff
Char siu sou is filled with the same sweet and savory minced char siu filling as char siu bao, but encased in a flaky and buttery pastry shell. The egg-wash coating and sesame seed topping add a crispy and nutty flavor.
3.4. Dim Sum Desserts
Dim sum desserts offer the perfect sweet ending to your meal, balancing the savory flavors with delightful sweetness.
3.4.1. Egg Tarts
alt text: Golden egg tarts with flaky crusts, a classic dim sum dessert
Egg tarts are a popular sweet and savory dessert made with an egg custard filling and a flaky, shortbread-like crust. Originating in Guangzhou and Hong Kong, influenced by European custard tarts, these also come in a Portuguese variety that is sweeter with a burnt topping.
3.4.2. Coconut and Red Bean Jell-O
Coconut and red bean Jell-O is a layered dessert with alternating coconut layers and red bean pieces. This chilled dessert offers smooth, silky textures from the coconut jello and al dente textures from the red bean bites.
3.4.3. Fried Sesame Balls With Mung Bean Filling
Fried sesame balls, or jian dui, are deep-fried balls of sticky rice-flour dough filled with sweet bean paste and rolled in sesame seeds. The sticky rice-flour dough gives it a crunchy crust and chewy inner layer. Dating back to the Tang Dynasty, variations like Vietnamese bánh cam also exist.
3.4.4. Bo Lo Bao – Baked Pineapple Buns
Pineapple buns, or bo lo bao, have a thick, crispy crust over a sweet egg-dough and a silky custard center. The crispy topping resembles a pineapple’s textured skin. These are so popular in Hong Kong that they are labeled as part of the city’s cultural heritage.
3.4.5. Nai Wong Bao – Steamed Custard-Filled Buns
Custard buns, or nai wong bao, are a type of baozi filled with a silky, sweet, and savory center made of salted egg yolk custard. The bright white, smooth dough is sometimes marked with red dots. Influenced by British colonizers, the addition of salted egg yolks makes this uniquely Chinese.
3.4.6. Mango Pudding
Mango pudding is a chilled dessert made with fresh mangoes, coconut milk, and sugar. Popular in Hong Kong, it was likely influenced by British colonizers via India.
4. Dim Sum Food: Nutritional Information
Dim sum offers a wide array of nutrients, depending on the dishes selected. Steamed options like har gow and gailan tend to be lower in calories and fat, while providing essential vitamins and minerals. Fried items such as spring rolls and haam sui gau can be higher in fat and calories, so moderation is key.
4.1. Balancing Your Dim Sum Meal
To make the most of your dim sum experience, aim for a balance of steamed, stir-fried, and baked dishes. Incorporate plenty of vegetables, such as gailan, to add fiber and nutrients. Be mindful of portion sizes, and consider sharing dishes with friends and family to sample a wider variety without overeating.
5. How to Make Dim Sum at Home
Creating dim sum at home can be a rewarding culinary adventure. While some dishes may seem intimidating, many can be simplified for the home cook. Here are some tips and tricks for making dim sum in your own kitchen.
5.1. Essential Equipment
To get started, you’ll need a few essential pieces of equipment:
- Steamer: A bamboo steamer or a multi-tiered steamer pot is essential for cooking the steamed dishes.
- Wok: A wok is ideal for stir-frying and deep-frying various dim sum items.
- Rolling Pin: Use a rolling pin to roll out dough for dumplings and buns.
- Chopsticks: Essential for eating and handling the delicate dim sum pieces.
5.2. Key Ingredients
Stock up on these key ingredients to make a variety of dim sum dishes:
- Rice Flour: Used for making wrappers for dumplings and noodles.
- Tapioca Starch: Helps create the translucent wrappers for dishes like har gow.
- Pork and Shrimp: Essential protein sources for many savory dishes.
- Vegetables: Include bok choy, gailan, mushrooms, and scallions for added flavor and nutrition.
- Soy Sauce, Oyster Sauce, and Sesame Oil: Key flavor enhancers for savory dishes.
5.3. Step-by-Step Dim Sum Recipes
Follow these recipes to create some classic dim sum dishes at home:
5.3.1. Shumai Recipe
- Combine ground pork, shrimp, mushrooms, soy sauce, sesame oil, and other seasonings in a bowl.
- Wrap the filling in shumai wrappers, leaving the top open.
- Steam for 15-20 minutes, or until cooked through.
- Garnish with minced carrot and serve with soy sauce.
5.3.2. Har Gow Recipe
- Marinate shrimp with ginger, garlic, and soy sauce.
- Mix rice flour and tapioca starch with hot water to create a pliable dough.
- Roll out the dough and wrap the shrimp filling.
- Steam for 8-10 minutes, or until the wrappers are translucent.
- Serve with hot mustard and soy sauce.
5.3.3. Char Siu Bao Recipe
- Prepare the char siu filling by marinating pork in a sweet and savory sauce.
- Make a soft and fluffy dough with flour, starch, sugar, and milk.
- Fill the dough with char siu and steam for 15-20 minutes, or until the buns are cooked through.
6. Top Dim Sum Restaurants in the USA
To fully appreciate dim sum, it’s beneficial to know some of the best places to enjoy it. Here are some top-rated dim sum restaurants in the USA.
6.1. Yank Sing, San Francisco, CA
Known for its high-quality ingredients and authentic recipes, Yank Sing is a must-visit for dim sum enthusiasts in San Francisco.
6.2. Nom Wah Tea Parlor, New York, NY
As one of the oldest dim sum restaurants in New York City, Nom Wah Tea Parlor offers a variety of traditional and innovative dim sum dishes.
6.3. Din Tai Fung, Various Locations
Famous for their xiao long bao, Din Tai Fung has locations across the USA and is renowned for its consistent quality and flavorful dishes.
6.4. China Garden, Irvine, CA
Offering a wide variety of Cantonese dishes and specializing in dim sum, China Garden is one of the best choices for dim sum in Southern California.
7. Dim Sum Food: Cultural Significance
Dim sum is more than just a meal; it’s a cultural experience steeped in history and tradition.
7.1. Historical Roots
Originating in the tea houses of the Song Dynasty, dim sum was initially a light snack served with tea. Over time, it evolved into a more elaborate culinary tradition, with a wide range of dishes and cooking techniques.
7.2. Social Tradition
Dim sum is typically enjoyed in a group setting, making it a social and communal dining experience. Sharing dishes with friends and family is an integral part of the dim sum tradition.
7.3. Regional Variations
While dim sum is most closely associated with Cantonese cuisine, regional variations exist throughout China and the world. Each region brings its unique flavors and ingredients to the dim sum table.
8. Pairing Dim Sum With Tea
Tea is an essential component of the dim sum experience, enhancing the flavors of the dishes and cleansing the palate.
8.1. Types of Tea
Popular tea choices include black tea, jasmine tea, chrysanthemum tea, and oolong tea. Each type of tea offers a unique flavor profile that complements the various dim sum dishes.
8.2. Serving Etiquette
The youngest person at the table should pour tea for everyone else, starting with the oldest. This tradition reflects respect for elders and ensures that everyone has a full cup of tea to enjoy with their meal.
8.3. Benefits of Drinking Tea with Dim Sum
Drinking tea with dim sum helps wash down greasy dishes and aids digestion. The hot, steamy tea complements the flavors of the food and provides a refreshing contrast to the rich and savory dishes.
9. Dim Sum and Dietary Considerations
Dim sum can be adapted to various dietary needs and preferences. Whether you’re vegetarian, gluten-free, or simply looking to make healthier choices, there are plenty of options to explore.
9.1. Vegetarian Options
Many dim sum restaurants offer a variety of vegetarian dishes, such as vegetable spring rolls, steamed vegetable dumplings, and tofu-based dishes. Be sure to ask your server about vegetarian options and ingredients.
9.2. Gluten-Free Options
Gluten-free dim sum options may include dishes made with rice flour wrappers, such as cheung fun and certain types of dumplings. Always check with the restaurant to ensure that the dishes are prepared without gluten-containing ingredients.
9.3. Healthier Choices
To make healthier choices when ordering dim sum, focus on steamed dishes and those with plenty of vegetables. Avoid overly fried or oily dishes, and be mindful of portion sizes.
10. Dim Sum Trends and Innovations in the USA
The dim sum scene in the USA is constantly evolving, with new trends and innovations emerging all the time.
10.1. Fusion Dim Sum
Some restaurants are experimenting with fusion dim sum, combining traditional Chinese flavors with ingredients and techniques from other cuisines. This results in unique and exciting dishes that appeal to a wide range of palates.
10.2. Modern Presentations
Modern dim sum restaurants often focus on the presentation of their dishes, creating visually stunning creations that are as pleasing to the eye as they are to the palate.
10.3. Sustainable Practices
As sustainability becomes increasingly important, some dim sum restaurants are adopting eco-friendly practices, such as sourcing local ingredients and reducing waste.
Dim sum is a versatile and delightful cuisine that offers something for everyone. Whether you’re exploring it in a restaurant or trying to make it at home, the world of dim sum is full of tasty treasures. Want to explore a world of diverse recipes, helpful cooking tips, and detailed nutritional information? Visit larosafoods.com and turn every meal into an unforgettable adventure with our comprehensive recipe collections, simple cooking guidelines, and the newest information about nutrition.
FAQ About Dim Sum Food
1. What does “dim sum” actually mean?
Dim sum means “to touch the heart” in Cantonese, reflecting the small, satisfying portions of food that are meant to delight.
2. What is “yum cha”?
“Yum cha” translates to “drink tea” in Cantonese and is often associated with enjoying a brunch of dim sum and tea.
3. Why is tea traditionally served with dim sum?
Tea is served to complement the meal, aid digestion, and cleanse the palate, enhancing the overall dining experience.
4. What are the most popular types of dim sum?
Popular dim sum dishes include shumai, har gow, xiao long bao, char siu bao, and cheung fun, among many others.
5. How do I order dim sum in a restaurant?
You can order dim sum from pushcarts that circulate through the restaurant or directly from a menu.
6. How much does dim sum typically cost per person?
Typically, dim sum costs between $12 and $20 per person, depending on the location and the number of dishes ordered.
7. Are there vegetarian options available in dim sum?
Yes, there are vegetarian options like vegetable spring rolls, steamed vegetable dumplings, and tofu-based dishes.
8. Can I make dim sum at home?
Yes, you can make dim sum at home with the right equipment and ingredients, following recipes for dishes like shumai, har gow, and char siu bao.
9. What are some must-try dim sum desserts?
Must-try dim sum desserts include egg tarts, coconut and red bean Jell-O, and fried sesame balls with mung bean filling.
10. What is the cultural significance of dim sum?
Dim sum is a social and communal dining experience steeped in history and tradition, originating in the tea houses of the Song Dynasty.
