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Dim Sum

Dim Sum Guide
Chinese

Your Ultimate Field Guide to Chinese Dim Sum

February marks both the Lunar New Year and National Hot Breakfast Month, and we've offered up warm and comforting recipes to get your day started.
by

February marks both the Lunar New Year and National Hot Breakfast Month, and we've offered up warm and comforting recipes to get your day started. But it'd be impossible to ignore what is arguably the best hot breakfast of all: the tradition of Chinese dim sum. Dim sum (which technically translates to "point of the heart") can be a disorienting ritual: unrecognizable food being wheeled around in carts, waiters who only speak Cantonese, and an endless number of dumplings and buns.

We're here to save you from the confusion of the process, as we present to you our ultimate field guide on the subject. We promise, you'll never be scared to order dim sum again!

Photos: Camilla Salem and Sara Yoo
Dim Sum 101 Har Gow (Shrimp Dumplings) Siu Mai (Pork or Shrimp Dumplings) Fay Choy Gow (Jade Dumplings) Soi Jin Gow (Crystal Dumplings) Fun Kor (Also Known as Teochew Dumplings) Wu Gok (Crispy Taro Turnovers)
View 17 Photos
Dim Sum Trivia and Fun Facts
Quiz

Do You Know Dim Sum?

This week, billions of people will be ringing in the upcoming year of the rabbit by enjoying an intimate Chinese New Year meal with family and friends.
by

This week, billions of people will be ringing in the upcoming year of the rabbit by enjoying an intimate Chinese New Year meal with family and friends. Even if you aren't destined to be one of them, you can still celebrate the Lunar New Year by honoring a piece of culinary tradition in the Chinese heritage: dim sum. What do you know about the storied culinary tradition and subsection of Chinese food called dim sum? Bust your chops chopsticks on this quiz to find out.

Source: Flickr User faungg

Take the Quiz
Guess the Dish 2010-02-13 07:00:30
Guess Who

Name That Dish!

Since Chinese New Year falls on a Sunday, a choice way to celebrate would be going out for dim sum.
by Since Chinese New Year falls on a Sunday, a choice way to celebrate would be going out for dim sum. Below is a popular mainstay of the Cantonese-style brunch. Do you know what it is?

Guess the Dish 2010-02-13 07:00:30

Would You Eat These Chicken Feet?
Poll

Would You Eat These Chicken Feet?

Last time I went out to dim sum with my grandmother, she ordered chicken feet and urged me to take one.
by

Last time I went out to dim sum with my grandmother, she ordered chicken feet and urged me to take one. While I appreciate the slippery, gelatinous texture of chicken feet every now and then, my sweetheart absolutely refused. "Chickens run around in filth," he said. "I eat with my eyes first, and the sight of a pair wrinkly chicken feet just grosses me out." How do you feel about it?

Come Party With Me: Olympics Viewing — Menu
Come Party With Me

Come Party With Me: Olympics Viewing — Menu

The Olympics are taking place in Beijing, so I plan on serving a dim sum-inspired Chinese menu.
by partysugar

The Olympics are taking place in Beijing, so I plan on serving a dim sum-inspired Chinese menu. Dim sum are small dishes usually consumed at brunch. Since my viewing is in the evening, the recipes aren't necessarily über-traditional; they are, however, divinely delicious. Shrimp shau mai are bite-sized pillows packed with delicate flavors. Chinese spareribs with teriyaki glaze will satiate the hunger of carnivore guests, while sweet and spicy fried cauliflower will tantalize the vegetarian tastebuds. When served in individual take out containers, spicy sesame noodles make an excellent hors d'oeuvre.

If you have a large crowd coming over, supplement this homemade menu with store bought Spring or Summer rolls and pork buns. To check out the recipes, read more

definition

Definition: Dim Sum

Dim Sum Literarily translated to mean heart's delight in Cantonese, dim sum are small dishes traditionally served in teahouses.
by partysugar


Dim Sum
Literarily translated to mean heart's delight in Cantonese, dim sum are small dishes traditionally served in teahouses. A selection is passed by tables on a cart or tray and the customer picks what they want to eat. Usually each plate has a set price and at the end of the feast, the plates are counted to figure out the price of the meal. Dim sum consists of a variety of mouth watering savory and sweet dishes such as fried and steamed dumplings, shrimp balls, fried noodles, and Chinese pastries.