Dim Sum Food, with its delightful array of bite-sized portions, is a culinary adventure enjoyed around the world. However, stepping into a traditional dim sum restaurant can sometimes feel daunting, especially when faced with a menu that seems like a foreign language. While many dim sum establishments in English-speaking countries offer menus with translations, knowing how to order dim sum food like a seasoned pro enhances the entire dining experience.
In some authentic dim sum restaurants, particularly when traveling or in older establishments, you might encounter menus primarily in Chinese. A typical menu might look something like this:
Don’t let this menu intimidate you! Ordering dim sum food is easier than it looks. This guide will equip you with the essential knowledge to confidently order and savor a fantastic dim sum meal. Typically, you indicate your desired quantity next to each dish on a physical menu. But what if you can’t decipher the characters? Don’t worry, most dim sum restaurants are accustomed to assisting newcomers. Servers are usually happy to help, and pointing to pictures of dim sum dishes (many restaurants have them available) is a universally understood method. A good rule of thumb for ordering is to aim for about 1-2 dim sum dishes per person, selecting at least 4 different varieties for a group of two or more to enjoy a diverse tasting experience.
Start with Tea: The Foundation of Dim Sum
The very first question you’ll likely be asked upon sitting down is about your tea preference. In Cantonese, you might hear “Yum cha,” which literally translates to “drink tea.” Selecting the right tea is an integral part of the dim sum food tradition. Here are some popular choices to get you started:
- Black Tea (紅茶 – Hóngchá): Known as Hung Cha in Cantonese, black tea is a robust and flavorful choice, often a classic pairing with dim sum food.
- Pu’er Tea (普洱茶 – Pǔ’ěr chá): Referred to as Po Lei Cha, Pu’er tea is a fermented tea with an earthy flavor, believed to aid digestion, making it a great complement to the rich flavors of dim sum food.
- Chrysanthemum Tea (菊花茶 – Júhuā chá): Gok Fa Cha, or Chrysanthemum tea, is a light and floral tea, offering a refreshing contrast to savory dim sum food.
- Jasmine Tea (茉莉花茶 – Mòlìhuā chá): Mot Lei Fa, or Jasmine tea, is a fragrant and delicate green tea infused with jasmine blossoms, providing a soothing and aromatic accompaniment to your meal.
- Oolong Tea (乌龙茶 – Wūlóngchá): Wu Long Cha, or Oolong tea, falls between green and black teas, offering a balanced flavor profile that pairs well with a wide variety of dim sum food.
By starting with tea and being prepared to ask for assistance, you’ll find ordering dim sum food to be a delightful and rewarding experience. Embrace the adventure and get ready to enjoy a delicious journey into the world of dim sum!
