Chinese New Year is on the horizon and that means only one thing - the biggest excuse to eat as much Chinese food as you like.
However, it's also an opportunity understand more about the dauntingly diverse cuisine that comes from this vast country.
Right now, there's no better place to start than with dim sum - a traditional part of any Chinese New Year celebration.
What is Dim Sum? A Beginner's Guide to These Popular Chinese Dishes
Dim sum is a staple of Chinese dining.
It isn't just food. It's an event. A performance. A mini masterclass in Chinese cuisine - steamed and served in small bamboo baskets.
Intrigued yet? This fast guide will serve you the dim sum basics and have you knowing your char sui from your sui mai.
So, without further ado, let's go yum cha. That's Cantonese for "let's go drink tea" - a common invitation to eat dim sum and drink tea. See, you're learning already.
What Does 'Dim Sum' Mean?
Dim sum is a Cantonese phrase that translates as "touch the heart”.
Which is a rather poetic way of describing these small dishes designed to be shared.
Think dumplings, buns, rolls and occasionally desserts that'll have you declaring your undying love for these delicious Chinese tidbits.
Dim Sum Basics - What You Need to Know
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Dim sum originated in south China and is traditionally served alongside tea.
Tucking into dim sum is a social affair at which plates are shared, stories are told and tea pots are constantly refilled.
Forget stuffy restaurant rules. Dim sum is casual, noisy and fun - the way sociable eating should be.
Here's the drill - waiters will push trolleys loaded with bamboo steamers and plates.
You'll point, or nod enthusiastically, at whichever dish catches your eye.
If you can't see a trolley, don't worry. Many restaurants now provide a menu with pictures - ideal for rookies who aren't down with the dim sum routine.
Pro tip: Dim sum is typically a late morning or lunchtime affair. So if you rock up expecting an evening meal, you might get the same reaction as ordering a full English at 6pm.
Types of Dim Sum You Have to Try
The beauty of dim sum lies in its variety. There are many different types, but here are a few staples to bring you up to speed.
1. Siu Mai / Pork and Shrimp Dumplings
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These juicy, open-faced dumplings are a dim sum classic. Packed with seasoned pork, shrimp and a hint of ginger, they're something of a crowd-pleaser.
2. Har Gow / Shrimp Dumplings
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Translucent, silky and stuffed with plump shrimp, har gow is another popular dim sum dish. The wrapper should be thin enough to reveal its pink filling but sturdy enough not to collapse en route to your mouth.
3. Char Siu Bao / Barbecue Pork Buns
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Sweet, fluffy and kind of addictive, char siu bao is the doughy hug you didn't know you needed. The filling? Sticky barbecue pork that's equal parts sweet and savoury.
4. Cheung Fun / Rice Noodle Rolls
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These slippery, soft rolls are typically filled with shrimp, beef, or barbecue pork and served doused in sweet soy sauce. Yes, they're a bit sticky, but it's totally worth the mess.
5. Lo Mai Gai / Sticky Rice in Lotus Leaf
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Unwrap this lotus leaf parcel to find sticky rice mixed with chicken, mushrooms and Chinese sausage. It's hearty and comforting. Kind of like the dim sum version of a Carr's pasty.
6. Turnip Cake
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Turnip? Cake? Feels like there's a Peter Kay joke in there somewhere.
These two words certainly aren't ones you'd expect to find together. At least, not in the UK.
However, as a delicious dim sum dish? We can let it slide.
These savoury cakes made from shredded turnip and rice flour and fried until golden and crispy are best enjoyed with a dollop of chilli sauce.
7. Egg Tarts / Dan Tat
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Finish your meal with these buttery pastries filled with creamy egg custard. Flaky, sweet and dangerously addictive, they're the perfect way to round off your dim sum brunch.
How Many Types of Dim Sum Are There?
Classic Cantonese dim sum staples are numbered in the dozens.
But if you factor in modern twists and regional specialities, you're looking at hundreds.
Some people even suggest there are thousands of variations.
Which, considering the size and rich culinary history of China, isn't hard to believe.
Etiquette: The Dos and Don'ts of Dim Sum
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- Do share everything - Dim sum is all about communal eating. So no hogging the pork buns!
- Don't double-dip - Unless you're eating mountains of dim sum alone. In which case, I'm jealous, do carry on.
- Do use your teapot wisely - Place the lid at an angle to signal for a refill. A subtle and classier move than shouting across the table.
- Don't stab food with chopsticks - Not only will it expose you as a chopstick noob, it can be associated with funeral rites and therefore considered bad luck.
- Do serve others tea before you serve yourself.
- Don't automatically take the last piece - offer it to others first. We are polite Brits after all.
Where to Find the Best Dim Sum
Hong Kong is widely considered the place to go for the best dim sum.
So, if you're planning a visit any time soon, then lucky you - you'll be in dim sum heaven.
Often hailed as the world's most affordable Michelin-starred restaurant, Tim Ho Wan is a must-visit eaterie if you're looking for some of the finest dim sum in town and, indeed, on the planet.
However, if you're hoping to find some dim sum a little closer to home, then you're in luck.
London's Chinatown has plenty of top-notch spots.
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Further afield, Yauatcha, Baba Tang and Yi-Ban are all great places to start.
And for those who live in Dublin looking for a mighty fine dim sum fix, Mak, Nan Chinese and Ka Shing are gems you won't regret visiting.
Off on a Dim Sum Hunt? Stay Connected with an eSIM
Whether you're Googling "types of dim sum dishes" mid-meal or posting your char siu bao, staying connected while travelling is a must.
With the best eSIMs for Europe, China, Asia and beyond, Airalo keeps you online without extortionate roaming fees.
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