How does a dim sum menu work?
Waiters will unload your choices from their cart and mark your table’s menu card with what you’ve ordered. Nowadays, most modern dim sum restaurants rely on check-list like menu cards instead. Guests simply check off the dishes they want and wave the card in the air before handing it off to your server. There are a bunch of formulas for estimating how many people a dim sum buffet will feed. For example, if it’s just dim sum with rice or lo mein, you’ll need about 8 pieces of dim sum per person. But, if you add an entree into the mix, you can do 5 pieces of dim sum per person.Yes, You Can Eat Alone At A Dim Sum Restaurant, But You Might Be Missing Out. Unless you or your friends are food-possessive, sharing your meal is easily one of the best parts of dining out in a group. It’s a great way to try many of the dishes a restaurant has to offer without stuffing yourself silly.Dim sum is best enjoyed with as many people as possible, so you can order a greater variety of dishes. With a group of four or more, order about two dishes per person.Dim sum is best enjoyed with as many people as possible, so you can order a greater variety of dishes. With a group of four or more, order about two dishes per person.
What is the rule for dim sum?
Don’t eat the dim sum directly from the communal dish or steamer, transfer the dim sum to your own bowl or plate first. The communal dish is for transferring only. Take small bites of each piece rather than eating them whole. The steaming process, in particular, helps in retaining the nutrients of the food, making steamed dim sum a healthier choice over fried versions. Steamed Dim Sum: Dishes like har gow (shrimp dumplings) and siu mai (pork dumplings) are not only rich in protein but also low in calories.Dim sum refers to a variety of small plates served in Chinese cuisine, not just dumplings. Think shrimp dumplings (har gow), siu mai, steamed buns, spring rolls, and more—all typically served with tea. Many dim sum dishes are dumplings, but not all dumplings are dim sum. It’s a whole experience more than a single dish.When it comes to evaluating whether dim sum is healthy, start by looking at how dishes are prepared. Steamed items—like har gow (shrimp dumplings), siu mai (pork and shrimp dumplings), and vegetable buns—tend to be lower in fat and calories than their fried or baked counterparts.Many dim sum dishes are calorie dense, and high in fat and sodium, which could be contributors to increased risk of heart disease. That said, some dim sum dishes have hidden calories, fat and sodium, which may not be easily noticed.So, is dim sum healthy? It can be. Like any cuisine, it’s not inherently good or bad—it’s how you approach it. Dim sum is one of the few traditional meals that naturally lends itself to small portions, slow pacing, and variety—all allies in making smart choices.
What not to do in dim sum?
Dim sum meals are meant to be enjoyed at a relaxed pace, savoring each dish and engaging in conversation. Avoid rushing through the meal and be mindful of others at your table. It is considered impolite to reach across someone else’s plate or snatch food. But beyond its taste, dim sum also offers numerous health benefits that are worth exploring. Dim sum, with its emphasis on small, bite-sized portions, allows for a variety of dishes to be enjoyed in a single meal. Many of these dishes are steamed or boiled, making them a healthier choice.As a sign of respect, always pour tea for your companions first. Always move an item from the communal dish to your own before eating using a serving utensil or the top ends of your chopsticks. Do not eat directly from the steamer basket or shared plate. Dim sum is for sharing!The Art of Arrival: When to Eat Dim Sum Timing is everything when eating dim sum. Traditional yum cha (literally “drink tea”) runs from late morning through mid-afternoon, hitting its stride between 11am and 2pm. Early birds snag the best selection as fresh steamers emerge from the kitchen.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.
What is so special about dim sum?
Dim sum holds a special place in Chinese culture. It is not merely a meal but a social event, a time for family and friends to gather and enjoy a leisurely brunch while partaking in “yum cha” or drinking tea. The second is dim sum, which translates literally to touch the heart, the term used to designate the small food items that accompanied the tea. Teahouse owners gradually added various snacks called dim sum to their offerings. The practice of having tea with dim sum eventually evolved into the modern yum cha.As Dim Sum is usually rich and sometimes quite oily, people drink tea to diminish the greasy sensation. Pu erh is one of the most common teas served at yum cha, not just for its flavor, but also because it’s believed to help with digestion, particularly after indulging in oily or heavy dishes.
Why is dim sum not for dinner?
Chinese food historian Yan-kit So has described dim sum as: Literally translated as so close to the heart, they are, in reality, a large range of hors d’oeuvres Cantonese people traditionally enjoy in restaurants (previously teahouses) for breakfast and lunch but never for dinner, washed down with tea. Dim sum refers to a variety of small plates served in Chinese cuisine, not just dumplings. Think shrimp dumplings (har gow), siu mai, steamed buns, spring rolls, and more—all typically served with tea. Many dim sum dishes are dumplings, but not all dumplings are dim sum. It’s a whole experience more than a single dish.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.
What is the etiquette for dim sum?
Eating Dim Sum Dishes are shared among everyone at the table, allowing diners to sample a wide variety of items. Serve others before yourself to honor the communal spirit. Order of Dishes: Begin with lighter, steamed dishes before progressing to fried or heavier items. Start with tea. You should be given a pot of tea as soon as you first sit down. Most dim sum restaurants will have a few varieties of tea on hand and will probably get you a different type if you prefer it over their house tea.