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Traditionally, dim sum is wielded around in carts – pushed from table to table – where customers can select their order from the comfort of their own table however, these days in Hong Kong, space is at a premium and unless you’re dining at a banquet hall style restaurant, you’re most likely to place your order on an slip of paper where you select your food items on a checklist. Its origins in the teahouses of ancient China have led to a tradition that continues to delight and inspire today, making it a must-try for any food-loving traveler.ĭim Sum is bite sized portions of Cantonese food served on tiny plates or in steamer baskets. For those looking for a more authentic experience, they can visit the rural areas of Guangdong, where they can sample dim sum in traditional teahouses, complete with bamboo steamers and tea sets.ĭim sum is a true culinary gem, with a rich history and an array of flavors that has captivated the world. Travelers to Guangdong can explore the bustling streets of Guangzhou and Shenzhen, where they will find countless dim sum establishments serving up a delightful culinary experience. The region boasts some of the best dim sum restaurants in the world, with a range of options that cater to every taste and budget.
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While dim sum is enjoyed all over the world, there is nothing quite like the experience of savoring it in its birthplace, Guangdong. From savory dumplings and buns to sweet cakes and pastries, dim sum offers a wide variety of flavors and textures to tantalize the taste buds. Over time, it became an essential part of Guangdong cuisine and spread throughout China and beyond, becoming a staple of Chinese cuisine.ĭim sum is a culinary adventure in itself, with an array of small dishes that are often served in steamer baskets or on small plates. As they sipped their tea, they were served small portions of food known as “yum cha” that gradually became more elaborate and varied, giving birth to the tradition of dim sum.ĭim sum gained popularity in the Guangdong region of China during the Song Dynasty, where it was a convenient and quick meal for travelers on the go. The teahouses were popular gathering places for merchants, scholars, and artists who would stop there to rest, socialize and share ideas. Its origins date back to ancient China, where it was served in the teahouses along the Silk Road trade routes. With a tiny tea cup, chopsticks, a small serving bowl and sauce dish I randomly plucked at an ever growing spread of small bite sized food covering my table.ĭim sum is a delectable style of Chinese cuisine that has become a beloved culinary tradition worldwide. Soon a pot of hot tea was placed on my table. Not knowing what to order (and without the aid of an English menu) I used hand gestures and pointing to select items that were placed on my table in delicate little trays. Men and women engaged in animated conversations at large tables while others sat alone sipping on tea while reading a newspaper. Elderly Chinese ladies wearing aprons pushed around carts filled to the brim with steaming trays releasing a mixed aroma of shrimp, pork, custard and red bean paste.
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I can still remember trying it for the first time one morning in Malacca, Malaysia at a popular little Chinese tea house. Unlike other exotic foods which are more of an acquired taste, dim sum was love at first bite. One of the true joys of travel is sampling food for the first time and instantly falling in love.
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