Dim Sum

Dim Sum

Dim sum is a traditional Chinese food consisting of tea and a variety of items such as steamed or fried dumplings, pieces of cooked chicken, and rice balls placed in small dishes and is often served from carts that move around from table to table in a restaurant. The words dim sum mean ''a dot on the heart,'' or more broadly, ''the heart's delight because it is handcrafted by all the chief and is so delicious that it will surely leave an impact on your heart and soul.

People also associate it with “yum cha” i.e. to go drink tea. People usually enjoy dim sum in restaurants for breakfast and lunch. 

Tea is a very popular beverage to go with dim sum dishes as it helps with digestion so begin dim sum meal by selecting a tea for the table. Jasmine, Oolong tea, black tea, and Chrysanthemum are the most ordered dim sum teas.

Dim sum dishes include a variety of seafood, meat, and vegetable dishes that are prepared in various ways: steamed, fried, or baked. Here’s a list of some of the most popular dim sum dishes:

• Shumai Shrimp dumpling 

• Soup dumplings 

• BBQ pork buns 

• Chicken feet

• Rice noodle rolls 

• Egg tart

• Beef meatballs

• Shrimp-stuffed eggplant 

Dim sum is considered a social activity and is all about gathering with friends and family while sharing some small plates so when it comes to eating your food try to follow some basic etiquette. 

• While pouring the tea fill everyone else’s cup first and then fill yours.

• Try to eat everything with chopsticks and do not use your hands but if you need it, ask for a fork. Remove bones from your mouth quietly onto your plate either with chopsticks or by spitting and when you are finished, place your chopsticks neatly on your plate.

Easy Dim Sum Recipe: Prawn Chicken Shu Mai

Dim Sum Shu Mai Ingredients

• Wonton sheets (available for less than $4 on amazon)

• 200gm prawns - shelled, deveined and chopped

• 250gm chicken breast - minced or chopped

• 30g shitaki mushroom (optional) - soaked in boiling water and diced.

• 1 stalk spring onion - finely chopped

• 1 stalk coriander leaves - finely chopped

• Salt & Pepper

• 2 inch ginger - finely minced

• 1 tbsp sesame oil

• 1 tsp soy sauce

• 1 tbsp corn flour

• 1 red chilly - deseeded and finely chopped

• 2 inch carrots (optional) - finely chopped

• Little oil for greasing

• Water (to close wontons if frying)

 Dim Sum Shu Mai Method

1. Put all items excluding the wonton sheets in a bowl and mix well.

2. Keep it in the fridge for 15 minutes or more.

3. Then take a teaspoon and scoop the filling into the wonton sheets and form any shape you like.

4. If you wish to fry, just wet the ends of the wonton sheets and close before frying.

5. If steaming, grease the plate slightly to avoid the dim sums from sticking on to it and steam for about 15-20 minutes.

6. Once done, serve with a sweet chilli sauce and enjoy.