Dim sum

What is Dim sum?

Dim sum refers to a wide selection of small dishes served in Chinese restaurants, especially in southern China. These can include steamed buns filled with barbecued pork, dumplings with meat or seafood, rice noodle rolls, stuffed vegetables, and sweet or savory cakes. Dishes are usually bite-sized and come in small portions, encouraging diners to try many different kinds. The food is often served from carts and always accompanied by tea, which is considered as important as the food itself.

Where does Dim sum come from?

The tradition of dim sum began in the teahouses of Guangzhou, where travelers would stop for tea and small snacks. The custom developed alongside 'yum cha', meaning 'drink tea', and became a social meal. Dim sum's name, meaning 'touch the heart', reflects its original role as light snacks rather than a full meal. Over centuries, especially from the tenth century onward, the variety of dishes grew as influences from other regions were added. The practice flourished in the nineteenth century in Guangdong and spread to other parts of the world.

How is Dim sum made?

Dim sum dishes are made in many ways. Common methods include steaming, deep-frying, and pan-frying. Fillings can be meat, seafood, vegetables, or sweet pastes, often wrapped in dough or rice flour skins. Some dishes are baked or served as small plates of roasted meats or vegetables. The variety is vast, with restaurants offering dozens of choices at a time. Desserts and savory items are mixed together, and there is no set order to the meal.

How and when is Dim sum eaten?

Dim sum is usually eaten in restaurants, often for breakfast or brunch, but sometimes into the afternoon or late at night. Dishes are ordered to share, with each plate holding a few pieces. Tea is always served, and choosing the tea is part of the experience. Servers may bring food to the table on carts, allowing diners to pick what they want. The meal is social, meant for groups and conversation, and there are customs such as tapping fingers on the table to thank someone for pouring tea.

Kinds of Dim sum

There are thousands of dim sum dishes across China, with over a thousand from Guangdong alone. While Cantonese dim sum is the most famous, other Chinese regions have their own versions. Outside China, restaurants may offer around forty to fifty types. Modern chefs sometimes create new or visually striking dim sum, including animal-shaped buns or fusion flavors. Some places serve dim sum all day, and takeout options are now common.

What Dim sum means

Dim sum is deeply tied to the Cantonese tradition of yum cha, where eating and drinking tea are inseparable. The meal is a time for family and friends to gather, and is also used for business meetings. The etiquette of pouring tea and sharing dishes is important. Dim sum has become a symbol of Cantonese culture and is popular in Chinese communities worldwide. The variety and sharing style make it a unique and celebrated part of Chinese food culture.

Questions people ask about Dim sum

Good reading and sources

• Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle

• Dim sum on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data