Dim sum, oh, it’s them small little dishes that come from China. You see, back in them old days, this dim sum business started with folks just wanting a little snack while they sippin’ on tea. They call it “yum cha,” which means drinkin’ tea, but really they goin’ for these tiny bites of food. Now, dim sum ain’t just one thing, no, it’s a whole bunch of different dishes, like dumplings, buns, and little fried stuff. Most people think of it like them Cantonese foods, especially when you go out for brunch. That’s when folks like to enjoy it the most, early in the day.
Now, you might wonder what dim sum even means. Well, it’s kind of like “touch the heart,” that’s what the words mean in Chinese. But honestly, nobody’s really sure where the name came from. Some say it started way back in the Song dynasty, when royal cooks made all sorts of fancy little snacks for the emperor. Others say it’s more of a modern thing, but the idea’s been around forever, really. They used to have these little tea houses, and when people’d stop by, they’d get a few of these small plates to go with their tea. That’s how the whole thing got goin’, just folks enjoyin’ good food with their tea.
When you go to eat dim sum, you’ll see there’s all sorts of dishes. It ain’t just dumplings, though those are real popular. You got your shumai, which is them little pork dumplings, and your har gow, them shrimp dumplings. And let me tell you, those are some tasty treats. They steam ’em in these bamboo baskets, and they come to your table all hot and fresh. But it ain’t just steamed stuff, no sir, you got fried things too. Some of them are crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, like little fried spring rolls or pan-fried dumplings. And buns! Can’t forget about them buns, some with pork belly, or sweet custard inside.
There’s over a thousand types of dim sum in just Guangdong alone! Can you believe that? All these different kinds, and more being made up all the time. Nowadays, some chefs even make fusion dim sum, like they take dim sum and mix it with other foods. You got buns filled with all kinds of stuff you wouldn’t expect, like lamb or even chocolate. Dim sum’s changin’ all the time, but at its heart, it’s still them small plates of food you share with friends and family. That’s the best part of it, I reckon, sittin’ around a table with folks you care about, sharin’ a meal.
And when it comes to eatin’ dim sum, you don’t gotta stick to any fancy rules. You just sit down, maybe order some tea, and pick out whatever dishes you like. They come out one after another, and you just eat ‘em as they come. Some places still roll them little carts around with the food on it, and you just pick what looks good. Simple as that. It’s all about enjoyin’ the moment, no need to rush. Just sit back, have some tea, and let the food keep comin’. That’s the beauty of dim sum. It’s like a little journey of flavors, one dish at a time.
So, if you ever hear folks talkin’ about goin’ for dim sum, now you know. It’s a bunch of small dishes, shared with friends, usually with tea. Whether you like it steamed, fried, or baked, there’s somethin’ for everyone. And while the dishes might be small, they sure do touch your heart, just like the name says.
Tags：dim sum, yum cha, Cantonese cuisine, Chinese food, dumplings, steamed buns