Okay, so yesterday I tried to get to the bottom of this whole “dim sum” thing. I’d heard about it, seen pictures, but never really understood what it was all about. It all started when my friend, a huge foodie, kept going on and on about this dim sum place she tried last weekend.
First, I hit up Google. You know, the usual. Just typed in “what is dim sum chinese” and scrolled through a bunch of articles. It is a bit overwhelming at first, with all these different names and descriptions.
Got the general idea: dim sum is basically a bunch of small, bite-sized dishes, kind of like Chinese tapas. It can be steamed, fried, or baked. And it’s usually served with tea. The whole thing is called “yum cha,” which I thought was pretty interesting.
Some common dim sum dishes I found:
- Shumai: Looked like these little open-topped dumplings. Apparently, they’re a classic.
- Har Gow (Shrimp Dumplings): These were described as the “king” of dim sum. Okay, I’m intrigued. They are translucent and filled with shrimp.
- Xiao Long Bao: Soup dumplings, which I have heard stories about, and people go crazy for them.
- Char Siu Bao: Barbecued pork buns, which sounded super comforting.
- Radish or Turnip Cakes: These seemed a little weird, but I guess they are popular. They are made with steamed radish or turnip, pork, and dried shrimp.
What really caught my eye was the whole experience. It is not just about the food. It is about sharing with friends and family. And the best part, you do not even have to order from a menu! They bring the food around on carts, and you just pick what you want. How cool is that?
So, I decided I had to try this for myself. I looked up some highly-rated dim sum places in my city and picked one that looked promising. I asked a few friends if they were interested, and they were all in.
We went there, and oh my god, the experience was amazing. The carts came around, and we tried so many different things. We shared everything, just like what I read about. The Har Gow was definitely a highlight. And those pork buns? Delicious!
I completely get it now. Dim sum is not just a meal. It’s an experience. It’s about sharing, trying new things, and enjoying good company. I am officially a fan and will definitely be going back for more.