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Dim Sum | Traditional Assorted Small Dishes or Ritual From Guangdong, China | TasteAtlas
Dim Sum | Traditional Assorted Small Dishes or Ritual From Guangdong, China | TasteAtlas
Dim Sum | Traditional Assorted Small Dishes or Ritual From Guangdong, China | TasteAtlas
Dim Sum | Traditional Assorted Small Dishes or Ritual From Guangdong, China | TasteAtlas
Dim Sum | Traditional Assorted Small Dishes or Ritual From Guangdong, China | TasteAtlas

Dim sum

(点心, 點心, Diǎnxīn, Dímsām)

Dim sum is a variety of bite-sized food that is usually served with tea. It can range from savory dumplings, buns, and noodle rolls to sweet puddings and tarts. The term dim sum translates to touch the heart, and according to legend, it was invented many centuries ago by cooks of the Royal Court in order to touch the heart of Chinese emperors (but not to fully satiate their hunger).


What started as a simple snack is now a key part of Chinese culture. It is also a ritual family dish eaten on most weekend mornings in Hong Kong. Each dish usually consists of a few pieces of dim sum varieties, served in steamer baskets or on small plates, making them great for sharing or trying out new flavors.


Whether it is steamed dumplings with pork and prawns, spring rolls, stuffed crab claws, rice porridge congee, pork buns, wo tip dumplings with ground meat or rice noodle rolls, a variety of dim sum will satisfy even the most demanding consumers.

Types of Dim sum

Pairing tips

Wine Appellation

Champagne

Popularly known as the gold standard of sparkling wine, true Champagne only comes from the actual Champagne region in France. It is produced using the so-called ... Read more

Alcoholic Beverage

Daiginjo

Daiginjo is a sake variety made with polished rice, water, koji mold, and yeast. It is one of the pure sake varieties in which the rice is polished until ... Read more

Tea

Pu erh

Pu erh, also known as aged or vintage tea is a renowned tea produced exclusively in the Yunnan province of China. There are two main varieties: raw, non-fermented ... Read more

Tea

Oolong

Oolong is a semi-oxidized tea that can vary depending on the leaf style, level of oxidation, color, and the roasting degree. Falling somewhere between green and ... Read more

Recipe variations

  • 4.4

    Traditional Spring Rolls

    READY IN 1h 5min

    This recipe shows how to make a classic and simple version of spring rolls. The dough is made from scratch and is egg-based, while the filling is completely vegetarian but still packed with flavor. It is adapted from travelchinaguide.com, the website of the leading and largest tour operator in China that offers information on all things Chinese and is praised by leading media outlets like The New York Times, USA Today, and National Geographic.

  • 4.0

    Pork and Prawn Spring Rolls

    READY IN 4h 35min

    Adapted from the Classic Chinese Cookbook by Yan Kit So, this recipe shows how to make spring rolls with pre-made wrappers slightly larger than usual. The rich filling combines pork, seafood, and cellophane noodles, and you can substitute Shaohshing wine with medium-dry sherry.

  • 4.1

    Simple Pork and Cabbage Spring Rolls

    READY IN 1h 5min

    A basic filling consisting of pork, carrots, and napa cabbage is the base of this spring rolls recipe. The pork can be replaced with chicken or mushrooms, and the spring rolls should be served warm. The filling is done in a flash, and the recipe instructs the use of store-bought wrappers, which is why these spring rolls are done in the blink of an eye.

  • 4.2

    Shanghai-Style Spring Rolls

    READY IN 2h 50min

    This recipe variety, adapted from Seriouseats.com, fills the spring rolls with a creamy filling made with napa cabbage and pork that have been braised down into a thick purée. This approach is characteristic of the city of Shanghai, and the spring rolls are served with vinegar or duck sauce.

  • 4.1

    Fresh Chinese Spring Rolls

    READY IN 20min

    Contrary to a popular belief, it is not mandatory to deep-fry the spring rolls. This recipe, adapted from fruitguys.com, shows how to make fresh spring rolls in dried rice wrappers. This recipe is suitable for vegans and vegetarians: the choice of vegetables includes regular, napa or Savoy green cabbage, carrot, mushrooms and mixed vegetables such as bean sprouts, snow peas, and sweet pepper.

  • 4.5

    Giant Soup Dumpling (Giant Tangbao)

    READY IN 1d 3h

    The following is the recipe for the famed giant soup dumplings. The recipe makes two large soup dumplings, and instructions for the dipping sauce are also included in the recipe. You'll start by preparing an aspic, a gelatinous pork broth that's the secret to the dumpling's soup-like interior and which needs to rest for 24 hours to solidify. The dough is made the following day, as is the filling, which needs to have a paste-like consistency, and the dumplings are then assembled and, ideally, should be steamed in individual bamboo baskets. Apart from their deliciousness, it's also their visual appeal that made them hugely popular.

  • n/a

    Guotie with Meat and Cabbage Filling

    READY IN 1h 25min

    Dive deep into the rich flavors of China with this authentic guotie recipe, a treasure straight from the heart of Chinese cuisine. Adapted from the revered www.meishij.net, this recipe stands out for its versatility in meat selection, accommodating varying tastes while preserving the original essence. The exquisite blend of fatty cuts, crisp cabbage, and aromatic seasonings encased in delicate dough promises a bite that's both crunchy and succulent. Celebrating tradition while embracing adaptability, this guotie offers a culinary experience that is both timeless and innovative. It's not just a dumpling; it's a journey of flavors worth embarking upon.

  • 4.9

    Steamed Cha Siu Bao

    READY IN 4h 10min

    This recipe gives instructions on preparing the steamed char siu bao in a way adjusted to Western kitchens and in less time. The buns will be done in a few hours instead of days, as is the case with the traditional recipe. The dough is leavened with yeast and baking powder; the cornstarch makes for super white buns, and the baking powder causes the buns to crack open at the top during steaming. 

     

  • n/a

    Suancai Shuǐjiǎo

    READY IN 1h 15min

    Pork and suan cai — pickled Chinese cabbage also known as Chinese sauerkraut — are the main ingredients of this recipe. This kind of shuǐjiǎo is popular in Northern China.

  • 3.8

    Shanghai-style Xiaolongbao

    READY IN 50min

    The following is the recipe for traditional Shanghai-style xiaolongbao dumplings. It gives instructions on how to make the wrappers and the pork and jelly filling from scratch. The recipe comes from Clarissa Wei, a freelance journalist and expert on Taiwanese and Chinese cuisine. Made in Taiwan is her first cookbook. We suggest using two wrappers to practice forming a dumpling then use the remaining eight for making the dumplings.

  • 4.8

    Wuxi-style Xiaolongbao

    READY IN 55min

    The following is the recipe for Wuxi-style xiaolongbao dumplings, which are sweeter and have thinner skin than those from Shanghai. In this variant, the filling is seasoned with oyster sauce, which is both salty and sweet, and sugar, thus resulting in sweeter-tasting dumplings. The recipe gives instructions on how to prepare the wrappers, the pork jelly for the filling, and the filling from scratch. For even more sweet flavor, it's best to pair these dumplings with Chinese black vinegar, which has a slightly sweet and acidic taste.

  • 4.0

    Prawn and Pork Stuffed Shuǐjiǎo

    READY IN 1h 45min

    Adapted from the popular YouTube channel Amanda Tastes, which deals predominantly with traditional and modern Chinese food and other kinds of foods and dishes, this recipe describes how to make shuǐjiǎo dough and filling from scratch. The filling is made with pork, prawns, spring onions, garlic chives, and ginger.

  • 4.9

    Baked Cha Siu Bao

    READY IN 4h 40min

    This recipe gives instructions on preparing baked cha siu bao buns. The dough is super soft and fluffy, while the filling is full of flavors that balance each other out perfectly. The sesame seeds for the topping are optional but don’t forget to glaze the buns with sugar syrup while still hot to give them a lovely shine. 

  • 4.2

    Guotie with Pork and Chive Filling

    READY IN 1h 35min

    This traditional guotie recipe teaches how to prepare guotie from scratch, meaning the recipes for the wrappers and the dipping sauce are also included. Chives are used instead of the more common cabbage, along with pork and prawns, and the recipe makes for 30 guotie dumplings.

Dim sum Authentic recipe

PREP 50min
COOK 15min
READY IN 1h 5min

This recipe shows how to make a classic and simple version of spring rolls. The dough is made from scratch and is egg-based, while the filling is completely vegetarian but still packed with flavor. It is adapted from travelchinaguide.comRead more

WHERE TO EAT The best Dim sum in the world (according to food experts)

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