What is Dim Sum? Exploring the Delights of a Culinary Tradition (2024)

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What is Dim Sum? Exploring the Delights of a Culinary Tradition? ›

Dim sum is not just a meal; it's a gastronomic experience that encompasses a wide range of delectable dishes, each meticulously crafted to tantalize the senses. Rooted in the tea houses of ancient China, dim sum has evolved into an intricate art form that showcases the culinary prowess of Chinese chefs.

Dim sum is a traditional Chinese meal made up of small plates of dumplings and other snack dishes and is usually accompanied by tea. Similar to the way that the Spanish eat tapas, the dishes are shared among family and friends.

A traditional dim sum brunch includes various types of steamed buns, such as cha siu bao (a steamed bun filled with barbecue pork), rice or wheat dumplings, and rice noodle rolls that contain a range of ingredients, including beef, chicken, pork, prawns, and vegetarian options.

Dim sum means 'touch the heart' in Chinese. The small portions were designed to merely touch the heart not sate the appetite, and as such were first enjoyed as snacks. Over time, however, yum cha has evolved, and the cuisine is now a vital part of Chinese culture.

A Southern Chinese tradition, dim sum (or dian xin in Mandarin) translates to "touch the heart," derived from the Cantonese word for appetizer. It's a mid-day meal of steamed, fried and baked specialties such as shu mai, sesame balls and egg tarts, all meant to be enjoyed as a group with cups of tea.

The essence of dim sum is the hand craftsmanship. It's not a dish where you can find a recipe and imitate it easily at home. It requires skill and years of training,” says Saito Chau, a chef with vast experience in contemporary Cantonese cuisine. “It's the attention to detail, precision and the human touch.

A 'Dim Sim' is traditionally made with pork and cabbage wrapped in a delicate pastry skin. It is lightly seasoned and delivers a delicious meaty texture with each bite. 'Dim Sum' is an umbrella term and refers to a whole range of small dishes and parcels served at Yum Cha.

"Dim sums are bite-sized, high in protein, low in carbohydrates, and are steamed," said nutritionist Pooja Makhija.

I adore beans, and these Korean-Style butter beans are so delicious. They only take 10 minutes to make and they're the perfect bean side dish to serve with your gorgeous gyozas, mandu, dim sum, or any dumpling of your choice. I love topping mine with an egg, but that's totally optional.

Instead of three small buns, you get one huge bun filled with chicken, mushrooms and salty egg yolk. This traditional dim sum bun is filled to the brim with fresh ingredients – the salty egg yolk practically melts in your mouth, the chicken is perfectly cooked and the mushrooms add a subtle taste to the bun.

Why is dim sum important to Chinese culture? ›

The communal aspect of sharing multiple dishes created a convivial atmosphere and strengthened social connections. The tradition of dim sum also became closely tied to the custom of yum cha, meaning “drinking tea” in Cantonese. Yum cha involved enjoying tea alongside a variety of dim sum dishes.

Shrimp dumplings, pork siu mai (a type of dumpling), steamed pork buns (fluffy buns stuffed with sticky pork), chicken feet, spareribs in black bean sauce, jiaozi dumplings (also called Chinese dumplings), cheong fun (steamed rice noodles), and turnip cake are all commonly found on dim sum menus.

Dim sum is for sharing! Never lay claim to any one dish. Ask everyone at your table before taking the last piece of a dish. If you need to, request a fork from your waiter. Do not spear food with your chopsticks or use your hands (with the exception of large buns).

She revealed that dim sums are among the healthiest eating-out options. Explaining the reason, the nutritionist mentioned that these are generally bite-sized, high in protein, low in carbohydrates, and steamed. According to Makhija, steamed foods are the healthiest and most versatile.

Dumplings are balls of flour filled with a stuffing. Momos are also dumplings that contain some form of filling, be it vegetarian or meat. Dim sums are small snacks in Chinese cuisine that are eaten for lunch. They too have fillings covered with dough, but the dough is semi- or completely transparent.

The reason restaurants don't serve most dim sum dishes in sets of fours is simply to avoid any associations with bad luck. In Chinese culture, the number four is considered unlucky because it is nearly hom*ophonous to the word "death," while the number three is associated with life and new beginnings.