dim sum
Dim sum refers to a vast category of bite-sized Cantonese dishes, typically served in small steamer baskets or on small plates. The mental image is a bustling restaurant table crowded with various bamboo baskets, where friends and family share a wide array of steamed, fried, or baked dumplings, buns, and rolls. The term is often used to describe the entire social dining experience, known as "yum cha" (drinking tea). It is a casual, communal activity best enjoyed in groups. You will most often hear it used in the context of weekend brunch or lunch outings, and it is frequently paired with verbs like "going for" or "having."
In conversation
Weekend brunch plans
Are you free this Sunday? I'm craving dim sum.
Are you free this Sunday? I'm craving dim sum.
That sounds perfect, I haven't had har gow in ages!
That sounds perfect, I haven't had har gow in ages!
'Har gow' refers specifically to shrimp dumplings, a staple of dim sum.
Asking for a recommendation
Do you know a good place for dim sum around here?
Do you know a good place for dim sum around here?
There's a spot downtown that does incredible egg tarts.
There's a spot downtown that does incredible egg tarts.
Dim sum menus are often evaluated by the quality of their classic staples like egg tarts.
Examples
We went out for dim sum yesterday.
We went out for dim sum yesterday.
The restaurant offers a wide selection of traditional dim sum dishes.
The restaurant offers a wide selection of traditional dim sum dishes.
Despite the long queue, the authentic dim sum was well worth the wait.
Despite the long queue, the authentic dim sum was well worth the wait.
