The Best Dim Sum Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the most popular on dimsum? ›

The most popular dim sum menu items include Har Gow (shrimp dumplings), Siu Mai (pork and shrimp dumplings), Char Siu Bao (BBQ pork buns), Cheong Fun (rice noodle rolls), Lo Bak Go (turnip cake), Fung Zao (chicken feet), and Dan Tat (egg tart).

First, pick a tea, as it will be a central part of the meal — dim sum did originate in tea houses after all. If you want to follow traditional etiquette, the person closest to the teapot should pour tea for guests first before pouring his or her own cup.

Because the recipes often require unique skill and technique, dim sum is very much a craft, but one that, with a little time, patience and the right recipes can be learned at home. To start, try one of the most iconic dim sum dishes: har gow.

Generally, in Dim Sum dishes, the healthiest are the dumpling dishes or (gao zi) as they have skins of dough, filled with meat and are steamed (though some are fried as well) The suimai, xiaolongbao and har gow are my favorites and seem to be the healthiest.

She revealed that dim sums are among the healthiest eating-out options. Explaining the reason, the nutritionist mentioned that these are generally bite-sized, high in protein, low in carbohydrates, and steamed. According to Makhija, steamed foods are the healthiest and most versatile.

PU-ERH. Pu-erh (Bo-Lay in Cantonese) is popular in China but apparently less well known in the west. It is a traditional tea of choice to be served with Dim Sum, but remember that it's strong and considered by many to be an acquired taste.

Don't over order.

It makes a big difference when you steam dim sum for one minute more or one minute less. You should eat them hot. Their flavors will totally change if you warm them by microwave at home.”

As a sign of respect, always pour tea for your companions first. Always move an item from the communal dish to your own before eating using a serving utensil or the top ends of your chopsticks. Do not eat directly from the steamer basket or shared plate. Dim sum is for sharing! Never lay claim to any one dish.

It is customary to order "family-style", sharing the small dishes consisting of three or four pieces of dim sum among all members of the dining party.

Dumplings are balls of flour filled with a stuffing. Momos are also dumplings that contain some form of filling, be it vegetarian or meat. Dim sums are small snacks in Chinese cuisine that are eaten for lunch. They too have fillings covered with dough, but the dough is semi- or completely transparent.

Can you eat dim sum everyday? ›

As with all restaurant food it depends on the choices you make. A lot of dim sum offerings are steamed so they aren't bad. If you choose all deep fried stuff you have an unhealthy meal. If you pick vegetables and steamed dumplings you can make a healthy meal.

Chicken and Coriander dim-sum

These gorgeous steamed buns are delicious and stuffed with boiled chicken. The chicken filling has fresh chopped coriander and salt. Finely greased these dim-sums are very light on the stomach and highly recommended for sugar patients.

Dim sum has a lot of calories

With these rough estimates, the calories of a single dim sum item (e.g. dumpling, roll, meatball, etc.) max out at around 300 calories for the sugariest, fattiest ones, but most range between 50 and 100 calories.

Healthy tip: Although this dish is a good source of fibre and protein, it is very high in fat, saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium. Eating this dish exceeds the daily saturated fat allowance, and provides 70% or more of the daily cholesterol and sodium allowance for an adult!

A traditional dim sum brunch includes various types of steamed buns, such as cha siu bao (a steamed bun filled with barbecue pork), rice or wheat dumplings, and rice noodle rolls that contain a range of ingredients, including beef, chicken, pork, prawns, and vegetarian options.

A veggie-filled pasta salad is always a great, substantial side dish option. This Radish and Sesame Soy Noodle Salad is filled with colorful, refreshing mix-ins like cucumber and radish and a spicy soy and vinegar sauce.

For generations, it's been a tradition for families to go to yum cha on holidays. There's a sense of sharing and camaraderie that comes with the food,” adds Mak. In Chinese, “dim sum” literally means “a light touch on the heart”, which is an ideal way to describe the small, delicious sweet or savoury dishes.