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Hi Helen Yuet Ling,
Good post and you have all the details that people should know about in going to yum cha. It’s funny how something like yum cha was such a trial for us as children, as it was more of a social gathering for our parents and their friends to compare notes about their children in some restaurant in Chinatown. Very uncomfortable when you are an adolescent and self-conscious! That was the context in which we had dim sum sometimes, so as much as I loved the food, I sometimes rather not go.
As an adult, it’s my favorite way to socialize with friends and, hopefully, I won’t torture my children by comparing them! It’s one of the key ways I stay connected to my roots and, wherever we are, I hunt for the nearest (good) restaurant that serves dim sum. It’s warms me to think that no matter how wide the Chinese (Cantonese, Hakka and SE China) disapora is, somewhere in the world we are partaking of these bundles of joy in bamboo or metal steamers.
I love to introduce non-Chinese friends to dim sum and now they’re all addicted and always ask me when we can go and have asked me how to say the dim sum in the correct Cantonese.
We always get a mixture of things, including some plates of noodles and as for sweet dim sum, I love lor mai chi (the sticky rice balls with the grated coconut on the outside and the sweet chopped peanuts inside, (try the ice cream version in Hong Kong!)
As for tea I was always taught to fight to serve the tea to the elders and guests; this shows you have manners and you’re parents have brought you up properly – always good to impress potential in-laws!
Another thing we fight to get to first is the bill. Chinese would never suggest the bill is split between people. It shows your good manners to pay the bill, a mark of respect for your guests and as grown-up children to show respect to your parents and aunts and uncles to take them out for a meal (so we fight to get it before they do!) This shows you are doing well in your jobs and lives.
I love going out for dim sum for breakfast in Hong Kong – so much better than cereal any day. And even the food stands (dai pai dong) in Hong Kong serve good breakfast dishes, such as plain cheung fun and noodles or a bowl of shredded pork and thousand-year-old egg congee with fresh spring onions and coriandar on top, served with fresh, just fried dough sticks. Ooh, I can taste it now and makes me hungry!
Anyway, dim sum is the best!!!
Susan S. Cheung
I wish there were better dim sum to eat in NYC. For a giant culinary city, we actually don’t have that many great choices. I think the biggest misconception w/ many is, like you mentioned, dim sum is usually eaten only up to the early afternoon. I’d love to eat it for breakfast (mainly cause I prefer non-breakfast food for my first meal). Great and informative post, Helen! – amy @ http://www.weareneverfull.com
Hi Susan
Yes, the tea pouring! I tend to do it now, but when I was a lot younger, adults poured my tea. But the tussle over the bill can be quite violent! And sneaky too, with people pretending to go to the bathroom and coming back with smug looks on their faces, having paid the bill!
I’m looking forward to dim sum in Hong Kong this October – every day of course!
Hi Amy
I don’t remember any outstanding dim sum that I had when I lived in NYC, to be honest! Which is strange, and a real shame for ‘foodies’ like you guys. I’m off for more dim sum this Sunday! It’s a newish place that I’ve been meaning to try for months. I’ll be thinking of you…!
Hi,
Great post, but I was wondering if you could give me some advice. I really wanted to go for Dim Sum but I can’t eat anything with gluten(wheat flour, but I’m ok with soy sauce) in. I was hoping you could give me a few pointers on what to avoid and what I should go for?
Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks!
Hi Kirsten
This is very tricky for me to answer, but it’s a good question, and something that I shall bear in mind for the future. As I don’t make dim sum myself, I don’t know which contain gluten and which don’t, and I wouldn’t want to give you any incorrect information, as that would be dangerous for your health. I don’t know anyone personally with a gluten intolerance either, otherwise I would have asked them.
I would ask the waiters at each restaurant you visit, as you never know, dim sum chefs might prepare their dim sum slightly differently to the ‘traditional’ way of making them.
If I come across any useful info for you, I’ll let you know.
If anyone can help Kirsten, please leave a comment!
All the best!
Helen Yuet Ling
Hi
I’ll be in HK in a few months, I’m after suggestions of yum cha restaurants there, can you help?
I love it to be quite traditional, I don’t need it to be fancy its all about the food (offal is great!) Love steamed dumplings and buns…
Thanks
Jack
Hey Jack
That’s very interesting, as I am off to Beijing and HK in October, and am already thinking about where to eat! I was only thinking about it this morning. So I’d better start my research soon, so that you can benefit from it too. Dim sum is of course at the top of my list. But as I haven’t been back since Jan 97, my recommendations will be from friends and family who live there. Check back with me in a few weeks?
Helen Yuet Ling
Hi again Jack,
Apparently Chao Inn at 1 Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, is very good. It was recommended by a Chinese friend who has just returned from HK.
If I find any more, I’ll let you know!
Helen Yuet Ling
Hi Helen
Thanks so much!
I’m there in july so will let you know how I go.
Jack