Top 10 Must-Try Dim Sum Dishes for First-Timers
Dim sum is a distinctive eating tradition that grew from the Cantonese teahouses of Southern China, where it is well enjoyed with family and friends. The literal translation of dim sums means "touch the heart." Dim sums include various small, flavorful bites but are best eaten when served in bamboo steamer baskets or on small plates. Like these dishes, however, tea richly enhances the social experience of sharing in flavors, textures, and delight rather than in eating alone.
The first time you see dim sum, it is quite overwhelming, rather like looking at a vast cafeteria of dishes. From steamed dumplings to fried buns, dim sum covers plenty of different ingredients, cooking techniques, and flavors. In this guide to help make your initial foray into dim sum that little bit easier, here is a countdown of the Top 10 Must-Try Dim Sum Dishes that will expose you to a good range of what this iconic Chinese culinary celebration has to offer.
1. Har Gow (Shrimp Dumplings)
Har Gow - One of the most famous dim sum dishes, it is a steamed dumpling filled with shrimp, covered with almost transparent dough made from wheat starch. Its preparation is intriguing; the skin has to be thin and delicate, yet it should show some semi-transparence to get a glimpse of all that vibrant orange shrimp inside. The texture of the skin is soft, yet a little chewy, as is the case with its tender filling.
It is truly simplicity that characterizes Har Gow. To keep the firm, sweet flavor of a shrimp intact, it usually merely contains light seasoning; thus, it is mostly seen with or without soy sauce or chili oil. Nevertheless, some dim sum enthusiasts do prefer it on its own, a delightful and subtle treat.
2. Siu Mai (Pork and Shrimp Dumplings)
This is another typical dim sum: Siu Mai, the traditional Cantonese dumpling that comprises a mixture of minced pork and shrimp with the addition of mushrooms or others, then wraps up in a thin wonton wrapper made to be ornamented with some crab roe or carrot. These kinds of dumplings are let to steam to bring out their richness and savory flavors without being overly moist.
The meat combination of pork and shrimp makes a mouthwatering flavor-juicy and hearty, with an oddly firm bite. They are served in small bamboo steamers just right for plopping into an open mouth without chewing for the first time at other occasions, which makes them an ideal introduction to dim sum for novices.
3. Char Siu Bao (BBQ Pork Buns)
If any dish comes to mind for many when defining dim sum, it's Char Siu Bao – or BBQ pork buns. These soft, fluffy pillows hide their secrets within as they are filled with sweet and savory barbecue pork, known as char siu. The dough can either be steamed or baked, but of course steamed is more popular in traditional dim sum eatery settings.
Most of the filling consists of char siu which is pork diced and mixed with hoisin sauce, soy sauce, honey, and Chinese five-spice powder to create a rich, complex taste. When pulled between the two ingredients, the sweetness of the glaze on the pork juxtaposes the soft, slightly sweet dough so that it's a must-try for first-timers. Whether steamed or baked, this sweet and savory combination will prove to satisfy.
4. Cheung Fun (Rice Noodle Rolls)
Cheung Fun is a dim sum that celebrates the skill of Cantonese cooking. These pieces of smooth rice noodle rolls were made from a thin layer of rice flour batter that was steamed and then rolled around depending on what it was filled with. This usually included shrimp, barbecued pork, or beef. The rolls are commonly served with a light pour of soy sauce on top.
The texture of Cheung Fun is what makes it stand out-soft, slippery, and slightly chewy. The soy sauce adds the savory note without overpowering the delicate flavor of the noodles of the filling. Cheung Fun is normally cut into tiny pieces so that they can be conveniently shared and enjoyed.
5. Xiao Long Bao (Soup Dumplings)
Xiao Long Bao is considered the original dish of Jiangnan Province, but it is widely prevalent in almost all dim sum restaurants. These exquisitely delicate dumplings are filled with a mouth-watering broth and meat, usually of pork or crab variety. The unique thing about Xiao Long Bao is that the broth is wrapped in a very thin wrapper which provides for a delightful yet slightly awkward process of eating them.
To fully appreciate Xiao Long Bao, lift the dumpling with chopsticks, set it on a spoon, and take a small bite to let the hot broth escape. After consuming the soup, eat the remaining dumpling, relishing the filling and the tender softer wrapper. The dish is usually served with vinegar and ginger on the side: that adds a refreshing sour zing to the mouth that beautifully complements that broth's richness.
6. Lo Mai Gai (Sticky Rice in Lotus Leaf)
Lo Mai Gai is for those who like it hearty and comforting. Sticky rice, mixed with chicken, Chinese sausage, mushrooms, sometimes salted egg yolk-all wrapped in a lotus leaf and steamed. It has that lotus leaf to lend a gentle but fragrant aroma to the rice and flavors it all up.
Unwrapping the lotus leaf reveals a fragrant, rich rice dish that is filling and savory, with chewy sticky rice bursting with different flavors from the umami of mushroom to the slight sweetness of sausage. Unlike most of the other items on this list, Lo Mai Gai's substantial enough for a filling meal.
7. Turnip Cake (Lo Bak Go)
Made from grated Chinese turnips (daikon radish), rice flour, and sometimes accompanied by small pieces of Chinese sausage, dried shrimp, or mushrooms, this greasy, savory dim sum really brings out the flavor of each ingredient. This mixture is steamed into a firm cake, then sliced and pan-fried until crispy on the outside but soft and a bit chewy on the inside.
Everyone seems to agree that the extreme contrast - a crunchy coating and super soft interior make Turnip Cake a top dish in Dim Sum cuisine. This one is quite simple, so it lets the turnip along with its other ingredients do all the talking. Very often accompanied by shoyu-brewed soy sauce or chili for dipping.
8. Fung Zao (Chicken Feet)
At first, Fung Zao-chicken feet- might sound quite intimidating to some, but among regulars it is simply a delicious dim sum favorite. Deep-fried first, then they are braised in soy, black bean, and garlic sauce until the feet become tender. The other texture is that gelatinous one, with bones adding an interesting interesting contrast while sucking off the tender skin and cartilage.
Eating chicken feet is certainly not the most normal thing, but the amazing sauce with its unique texture is still good enough to have a go at it. Most people who may shy away from the start tend to claim after few portions that it is really a treat for the palates in a savory-rich flavor of Fung Zao.
9. Dan Tat (Egg Custard Tart)
No dim sum experience is complete without its finishing sweet treat, and Dan Tat is a perfect example of how to round off a meal. These small egg custard tarts, with their flaky pastry shell, are filled with rich, creamy egg custard. The sweet custard is not too sweet; rather, it is a light ending to the meal.
Tat is usually served warm, with the custard just slightly wobbly in the center. The contrasting textures of the buttery, flaky pastry and the smooth custard are delightful, making this a must-try dish for anyone with a sweet tooth.
10. Sesame Balls (Jin Dui)
For those who have a liking for that coarse thing in desserts, Jin Dui or sesame balls, are already a classic. Deep-fried pastries made from glutinous rice flour stuffed with sweet red bean paste. They are coated in sesame seeds and therefore have a crunchy outside with a chewy, soft inside.
Jin Dui is faintly sweet, and the soil tastes lie rich, earthy flavor in the red bean paste, which balance precisely the nutty sesame-wrapped coating. The glutinous rice dough has a chewiness unique to this dessert, which makes it a satisfying end to any dim sum meal.
Dim sum is a world of flavors and textures to be explored by a beginner, and these top ten dishes provide an excellent primer in that wonderful culinary experience. Enjoy the light shrimp in Har Gow, chirp the mighty hearty Char Siu Bao, and dare yourself to enjoy the curiosity called Fung Zao; each will entice an exciting end to any dim sum adventure. Just add a cup of tea, and it becomes a rite unto itself - not simply a meal but an experience shared, touching the heart.
Set Out on Your Dim Sum Journey
Dim sum is much more than mere food - it is a cultural experience that you will find for yourself as you explore the richness of Cantonese cuisine. The above-mentioned dishes are just the tip of the iceberg, as the whole dim sum world is enormous and ever-evolving. Whether you are a newcomer or a dim sum junkie, there is always something new for you to indulge in on the menu.
Do not hesitate to experiment from visit to visit in a dim sum restaurant, and taste the communal spirit of sharing food among families and friends. The more you discover, the more you will appropriate all the differences and craftsmanship that goes into making the small delicacy of flavor.
So next time you find yourself at a dim sum restaurant, grab a cup of tea.
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