Dim sum is a selection of small Chinese dishes traditionally enjoyed with tea, and is particularly common in Cantonese cuisine. A typical dim sum meal includes shrimp dumplings, char siu buns, glutinous rice rolls, savory items, and egg tarts, all meant to be shared among the entire table.
Dumplings are part of dim sum, but the menu offers far more than just that. Cooking methods such as steaming, baking, pan-frying, and braising result in distinctly different flavors and textures, so a satisfying dim sum meal usually includes a variety of options.
When visiting for the first time, the most important things to understand are how the restaurant takes orders, the portion sizes, and which dishes are suitable for your dining group. You can learn these customs as you eat.
What does dim sum mean?
The Cantonese term dim sum, written 點心, is often rendered in English as “touch the heart.” On a menu, it refers to an assortment of small dishes and snacks rather than one specific food.
This style, familiar to most tourists, is closely tied to the Cantonese culinary culture found in Guangdong and Hong Kong in southern China. Its roots in the teahouse tradition explain why this meal centers on both fine food and the joy of conversation. The Michelin Guide’s description of Hong Kong’s dim sum culture explains how dining at teahouses has become an integral part of local life.
The small portion sizes allow diners to sample a variety of dishes in a single meal. One steamer basket might hold tender shrimp dumplings, while the next plate might feature crispy dim sum or soft, sweet buns. Although individual dishes are modest in size, ordering just a few can easily make up a complete breakfast or lunch.
Dim sum vs. yum cha
Dim sum is the food; yum cha is the tradition of drinking tea while enjoying it. Yum cha literally means “drink tea” in Cantonese, but an invitation to yum cha generally involves something to eat as well.
In everyday conversation, the terms overlap. Someone suggesting dim sum may mean the whole shared meal. The distinction helps explain why choosing tea is often one of the first things you do after sitting down.
Dim sum vs. dumplings
Dumplings are a type of food with a wrapper and filling. Dim sum is a broader selection that can include dumplings, buns, cakes, rice dishes and desserts.
The terms are not interchangeable. Ordering only dumplings is perfectly reasonable, but adding a rice noodle roll or baked dish gives you a better sense of the range.
Common dim sum dishes and what to expect
Names vary between restaurants because Cantonese words can be written in English several ways. Har gow and har gau, for example, can refer to the same shrimp dumpling. Read the description alongside the name, particularly if you avoid certain ingredients.
| Dish | What it usually is | Texture and flavor |
|---|---|---|
| Har gow | Steamed shrimp dumplings with translucent wrappers | Delicate wrapper with a springy shrimp filling |
| Siu mai | Open-topped steamed dumplings, commonly filled with pork and shrimp | Juicy, savory and more substantial than they look |
| Char siu bao | Buns filled with Cantonese barbecue pork; steamed and baked versions are available | Soft and fluffy when steamed, with a sweet-savory filling |
| Cheung fun | Rice noodle sheets rolled around fillings such as shrimp, beef or barbecue pork | Silky and slippery, often served with seasoned soy sauce |
| Lo mai gai | Sticky rice with savory fillings, wrapped in a lotus leaf | Dense, fragrant and filling; unwrap the leaf before eating |
| Lo bak go | Savory radish cake, often called turnip cake | Soft inside, with crisp edges when pan-fried |
| Spring rolls | Fried rolls with fillings that vary by restaurant | Crunchy outside; check whether the filling includes meat or seafood |
| Dan tat | Egg custard tarts | Tender custard in a pastry shell |
| Ma lai go | Steamed sponge cake | Soft, airy and gently sweet |
These are merely examples, not set recipes. Tim Ho Wan’s official menu showcases its rich and diverse selection of dishes, ranging from pork and shrimp dumplings to rice rolls, glutinous rice, and steamed cakes. Specific offerings and preparation methods vary by branch and restaurant.
One dish deserves special attention: radish cake. It is typically made from white radish (daikon) and rice flour. Some versions include Chinese sausage and dried shrimp, so you cannot assume it is vegetarian based solely on the vegetable’s name. The Michelin Guide’s explanation of Cantonese radish cake details these ingredients, as well as the difference between steamed and pan-fried versions.
You may also come across chicken feet, spare ribs, beef meatballs, and tofu skin rolls. Please choose according to your personal preferences. There are no designated “must-try” dishes for this meal.
How to order dim sum for the first time
1. Find out how ordering works
Restaurants use a variety of ordering methods. Some serve dishes from carts; others provide paper order forms or traditional menus. You may also encounter electronic ordering systems.
At restaurants that use carts, be sure to ask about ingredients and prices before accepting a dish. The server may record your selections on an order slip, which you should leave on the table.
When using an order form, confirm whether the numbers you write down represent baskets, plates, or individual servings. If you write “2” next to “shrimp dumplings,” it may be interpreted as ordering two full servings. CNN’s Dim Sum Ordering and Etiquette Guide provides a detailed overview of these three ordering methods: cart service, order forms, and menus.
If you’re unsure, you can ask, “How many are in one serving?” This answer will help you understand portion sizes and make it easier to share your meal.
2. Order a modest first round
For two people with moderate appetites, ordering four savory dishes and one dessert is a good choice. Please consider this a planning suggestion rather than a strict guideline: the size of the dim sum basket, your appetite, and the portion size of each dish may vary.
If this is your first time trying dim sum and you enjoy the flavors, consider the following combination:
- A basket of shrimp dumplings to enjoy the combination of fresh shrimp and delicate wrappers.
- One basket of shumai to experience a different dumpling texture.
- One plate of rice rolls to savor their silky smooth texture.
- One serving of pork buns or pan-fried radish cake.
- One egg tart or steamed sponge cake to share.
If you feel this selection leans too heavily toward dumplings, you can swap one of the baskets for a vegetable dish or another dish that interests you. If you’d like a more filling meal, you can substitute the pork buns with glutinous rice.
Don’t assume that each dish will be divided equally among all diners—please check the menu first. If a dish contains three dumplings and four people each want one, please order another basket or choose a different dish to share.
3. Add food after the first dishes arrive
Where additional ordering is allowed, use a second round to fill gaps. You might want something crisp after several steamed dishes, or something savory after sweet barbecue pork buns.
This also helps you judge portions before committing to more food. Check the last-order time early, though, especially if you arrive near the end of lunch service.
Dishes may arrive whenever they are ready. There is usually no need to wait for the whole order before eating, and steamed items are most enjoyable while warm. Let hot fillings cool enough to eat comfortably.
4. Check the bill beyond the food prices
Ask whether tea is charged per person or per pot, and whether service charges apply. If the menu uses size categories instead of individual prices, locate the price key before ordering.
In Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s traveler information notes that most restaurants add a 10% service charge, while some also charge for tea, condiments or snacks brought to the table. Check the restaurant’s own terms rather than assuming every venue follows the same system.
A useful budget calculation is the total for your planned dishes, plus tea and applicable charges, divided among your group. The low price of an individual basket does not tell you the cost of a complete meal.
Choosing tea and following basic etiquette
Tea is at the heart of the traditional tea-drinking experience. Common choices include fragrant jasmine tea, oolong tea, and earthy pu-erh tea. If you’re unfamiliar with these names, ask the server for recommendations and specify whether you prefer floral, light, or full-bodied teas.
There’s no need to pair a separate tea with every dish. Ordering a pot of tea for the whole table to share is a simple and easy way to start. If you need to avoid caffeine, please ask in advance; lighter-colored teas aren’t necessarily caffeine-free.
Adopting the following considerate habits will help you fit in more quickly:
- Pour tea for others first, then pour for yourself.
- When someone pours tea for you, it is customary in Cantonese dining to gently tap the table with two fingers to express gratitude.
- When serving yourself from shared dishes, please use the serving utensils provided.
- Unless otherwise agreed upon, please place dipping sauces on your own plate.
- If using a fork or spoon makes eating more comfortable for you, feel free to ask for one.
The customs of pouring tea and tapping the table are also covered in CNN’s guide to tea drinking. You don’t need to memorize every detail of table manners; simply follow these basic guidelines. Paying attention to those around you is more important than executing etiquette perfectly.
Take a bite before dipping. The filling may already be perfectly seasoned, and too much sauce can mask the delicate original flavor of the dumplings. For slippery rice rolls, use a spoon to cradle the roll before lifting it.
Vegetarian options, dietary needs and ingredient checks
A dish’s main ingredient does not reveal everything in it. A shrimp dumpling may also contain pork, a bean curd roll may enclose meat, and a vegetable dish may come with an animal-based sauce.
For vegetarian or vegan dining, ask about the filling, cooking fat, broth and sauce. Choosing a restaurant with a dedicated vegetarian menu can make the conversation easier. The Hong Kong Tourism Board’s dim sum guide includes vegetarian teahouse dining among the available styles.
For allergies or strict dietary requirements, contact the restaurant before visiting. Explain the specific ingredient you need to avoid and ask about preparation and cross-contact. Menu photographs and translation apps can help you identify a dish, but they cannot confirm that it is suitable for you.
Rice noodle rolls and translucent dumpling wrappers should not be assumed to be gluten-free. Wrappers, fillings and sauces need to be checked individually. Likewise, a steamed dish can still contain ingredients you avoid; the cooking method alone does not answer the question.
Choosing a restaurant when traveling
Start with the kind of meal you want, then look for a restaurant that suits it.
A traditional cart dining room can be enjoyable if you like choosing food as it passes. A restaurant with a picture menu and clear serving sizes can make a first visit easier. A more formal dining room may suit a business lunch or an occasion when you want reservations and more time to ask questions.
Before setting out, check:
- Dim sum service hours: The restaurant may stay open after its dim sum menu ends.
- The exact branch: Menus and ordering systems can differ between locations.
- Reservations or queues: Leave some flexibility if you cannot book.
- Payment options: Confirm what the restaurant accepts before ordering.
- Dietary communication: Check whether staff can answer your ingredient questions.
Carts are one service style, not a requirement for good dim sum. The Hong Kong Tourism Board’s overview of dim sum restaurants shows traditional trolley service alongside vegetarian teahouses and contemporary dining rooms.
Keep restaurant details accessible
Be sure to save the restaurant’s Chinese and English names, its location on the map, and the correct branch address. If the restaurant is located above street level, it’s helpful to take a screenshot of the entrance or the building’s name. Before leaving your accommodation, download the relevant practical information.
If you need to use mobile data to view maps, translate menus, or send messages while traveling in Hong Kong, consider eSIMX’s Hong Kong prepaid eSIM plan. Please compare the current data allowance and validity period based on your itinerary. Before purchasing, please confirm that your phone model supports eSIM and is unlocked.
Please use a stable internet connection and follow the installation and activation instructions for your selected plan. As explained in the eSIMX Help Center, the start date of the validity period may vary. Additionally, if you need to call a restaurant, please confirm whether the plan includes a phone number; mobile data alone does not necessarily include voice or text messaging services.
Quick answers before your first dim sum meal
Is dim sum breakfast or lunch?
Traditionally, yum cha is associated with morning and daytime dining. Some restaurants serve dim sum later, but check the specific menu hours before arranging dinner around it.
Is dim sum spicy?
Many familiar dishes, including shrimp dumplings and steamed pork buns, are not primarily chili-hot. Spicy sauces and preparations are also available. Ask about the particular dish if heat is a concern.
Can you eat dim sum alone?
Yes. The main limitation is variety: several full baskets may be more than you want. Start with a few contrasting dishes, ask about smaller servings and add more if needed. You do not need a group to enjoy the food.
Do you have to order dessert last?
No. Sweet buns, cakes and tarts can be part of the shared selection. Order them when you want them, while checking availability and last-order times.
What is a good first dish to try?
Har gow is a useful starting point if you eat shrimp; char siu bao suits someone who prefers a soft bun with a sweet-savory filling. For a broader introduction, choose one dumpling, one bun or rice roll and one crisp or sweet dish. That small selection shows how much dim sum offers beyond a basket of dumplings.