What is Dim Sum?

Many People have asked me: So just what is Dim Sum?

Dim Sum is a traditional Chinese brunch that consists entirely of appetizer-like dishes. Portions tend to be bite-sized and made easy for eating with chopsticks. Popular Chinese dishes include Crystal Shrimp Dumpling (Har Gow), Pork and Shrimp Dumpling (Siu Mai), and my personal favourite, Shrimp Rice Noodle Rolls.

In the past, Dim Sum was served normally on rolling carts that would move from table to table with a variety of items. This doesn't work so well if you are interested in a particular dish and it is not available at the time that you arrive. Today, it is more popular to order what you want from a menu and then the dish is prepared for your table as soon as it is ordrered, ensuring promptness, freshness, and proper food temperature. Also, since you tend to order those dishes that you want to try, and how many of each dish, you have more control over your dining experience.

Dim Sum is normally a very social occasion for Chinese people. Most Chinese like to have Dim Sum in large groups to maximize the number and variety of dishes, and I think this approach makes a lot of sense. Nothing beats bringing family and friends together for a great meal!

Finally, since Dim Sum dishes are usually quite rich, these dishes are normally consumed with large amounts of Chinese tea. It is widely believed that not only will the tea work to counteract the richness of the dishes, it will also aid in digestion, and I would wholeheartedly agree.

Over the next while, I hope to use this blog to write about Dim Sum dishes and describe them in some detail so that hopefully you will be able to gain a better understanding of Dim Sum dishes that are available.