In this guide, we’ll provide you with must-know tips and tricks to enjoy Dim Sum like an expert. Prepare to wow those around you as you relish each dish with ease!
Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned enthusiast, dim sum and yum cha is more than just a meal; it’s a vibrant culinary experience that brings people together over delicious bites and steaming tea. In this guide, we’ll share essential tips and tricks to help you eat dim sum like a pro. Ready to elevate your yum cha experience? Let’s dive in!
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Table Setting
Each person at the table gets a set of utensils including a bowl, a plate, a teacup, a spoon and chopsticks. Remember that the bowl is where you eat from, the plate is for placing food scraps like chicken feet bones and the paper from steam buns.
Most yum cha spots provide two sets of chopsticks for each person. The black set is your communal set, while the white set is for eating with. Put your chopsticks back on their rest when you drink, stop to speak, or when you’ve finished eating.
Here’s The Tea
Before settling in your seat, a waiter will ask “Meh Cha?” or “What tea?” There’s wide selection of teas to choose from but here are a few suggestions to pair with dim sum:
- Bo Lay: Black tea with a strong flavour profile; A perfect antidote for more oily and greasy dishes.
- Sau Mei: A white tea that has a sweet but slightly bitter aftertaste. It’s not the most common tea choice but it’s ideal for those who like their tea light and refreshing.
- Tit Kwun Yum: Tie Guanyin, or Iron Buddha Tea, is a type of Oolong tea that carries a fragrant, roasted flavour with a sweet, earthy aftertaste.
When being served with tea, tap your index and middle fingers on the table twice to thank the server.
Lastly, the table should come with a teapot and a kettle of boiling hot water. When the teapot is empty, simply refill it with the kettle. Let the tea seep for a minute or two before serving!
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What To Order During Dim Sum
Steamed, baked, or pan-fried? Noodles, buns, or dumplings? If you’re not sure about what to order, don’t stress! Although the menu can be quite overwhelming and often lengthy, a good rule of thumb is: if you’re unsure what it is, give it a try! Here are a few classics to get you started:
- Shāo mài (sio mai): Yellow, flower-shaped steamed dumplings filled with pork and shrimp.
- Xiā jiăo (har gaw): Steamed shrimp dumplings.
- Shāo bāo (cha siu bao): Steamed buns filled with sweet pork.
- Cháng fĕn (churn fun): Rice rolls served with soy sauce. Filling options include sweet pork, beef, shrimp, and more.
- Pái gŭ (pai gwat): Pork spareribs cooked in black bean or sour plum sauce.
- Nǎi huáng bāo (nai wong bao): A steamed bun filled with sweet custard.
With these essential tips and tricks, you’re now equipped to navigate the world of dim sum like a true expert! At the end of the day, it’s all about savouring each bite, sharing the experience with friends and family, and embracing the delightful variety offered at the table.
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Main image artwork courtesy of Getty Images.
Image 1 courtesy of Getty Images, image 2 courtesy of Getty Images, and image 3 courtesy of Getty Images.
