How to Buy the Best Dim Sum

Your Guide to buying the best Dim Sum

Overview

Dim Sum is a style of Chinese cuisine that consists of small bite-sized portions of dumplings, snacks, and other dishes. Whether you’re looking to try dim sum for the first time or are an experienced connoisseur, this buying guide will provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision when it comes to buying dim sum. Here, we'll discuss the various types of dim sum, the best places to buy it from, how to store it, and how to serve it. So, let’s get started and take a look at all the things you need to consider when buying dim sum.

Key features

  1. Type - What type of dim sum do you want, such as steamed, fried, deep-fried, baked, or boiled?
  2. Ingredients - What kind of ingredients do you want in your dim sum, such as pork, beef, chicken, vegetables, or seafood?
  3. Crispiness - How crispy do you want your dim sum to be? Do you prefer a crunchy texture or a softer one?
  4. Preparation - How do you like your dim sum prepared? Is it steamed, pan-fried, deep-fried, or boiled?
  5. Serving Size - How many people do you plan to serve with your dim sum?
  6. Source - Where do you plan to buy your dim sum? Are you looking for a restaurant, market, or online?
  7. Price - What is your budget for dim sum?

See the most popular Dim Sum on Amazon

Important considerations

Pros

  • Variety - Dim sum offers a wide variety of dishes, ranging from steamed buns to rice noodle rolls to pork dumplings, allowing customers to try a unique and flavorful cuisine.
  • Affordable - Most dim sum dishes are quite affordable and can be shared amongst multiple people, making it a cost effective dining option.
  • Customizable - Customers can choose which dishes they would like to order, allowing for a personalized dining experience.
  • High Quality - Dim sum is usually made with fresh ingredients, ensuring that it is of high quality and taste.

Cons

  • High in Sodium - Dim Sum dishes are usually high in sodium, which can present potential health risks for those who are sodium sensitive or have high blood pressure.
  • High in Fat - Many of the dishes are deep-fried or use lard, resulting in a high fat content that can be unhealthy for some individuals.
  • Price - Some Dim Sum restaurants are more expensive than others, which may present a financial challenge when purchasing in bulk.
  • Unfamiliar Dishes - Those unfamiliar with Dim Sum dishes may find it difficult to order the right items or make the most of their Dim Sum experience.

Best alternatives

  1. Potstickers - Chinese dumpling typically filled with pork, vegetables, and seasonings.
  2. Wontons - Chinese-style dumplings that are usually filled with pork, shrimp or both and served in soup.
  3. Egg Rolls - Chinese appetizer made from rolled up sheets of dough stuffed with a savory filling.
  4. Har Gow - Chinese shrimp dumpling with a translucent wrapper made from tapioca flour.
  5. Char Siu Bao - Chinese steamed bun filled with sweet, marinated pork.
  6. Siu Mai - Chinese dumpling filled with pork, mushrooms, and shrimp.

Related tools, supplies, and accessories

  • Steamer - A steamer is used to cook the dim sum.
  • Rice Wrappers - Rice wrappers are used to wrap the dim sum.
  • Parchment Paper - Parchment paper is used to line the steamer baskets.
  • Bamboo Mats - Bamboo mats are used to roll the dim sum.
  • Chopsticks - Chopsticks are used to eat the dim sum.
  • Tea Kettle - A tea kettle is used to make tea to accompany the dim sum.

Common questions

  1. What is Dim Sum? Dim Sum is a style of Chinese cuisine typically served in small portions of steamed or fried savory dumplings, buns, and other small dishes, usually as part of a group meal.
  2. How much does Dim Sum cost? The cost of Dim Sum depends on the type of restaurant you go to and the dishes you choose. Generally, it ranges from $4-15 per dish.
  3. What are some popular Dim Sum dishes? Popular Dim Sum dishes include steamed shrimp dumplings, deep-fried taro dumplings, pork and vegetable steamed buns, pan-fried turnip cakes, chicken feet, custard buns, spareribs, and egg custard tarts.
  4. Where can I buy Dim Sum? You can buy Dim Sum at most Chinese restaurants, as well as specialty Dim Sum restaurants. It is also becoming increasingly common to find Dim Sum in supermarkets and online.
  5. Are there any health benefits associated with eating Dim Sum? Eating Dim Sum can be part of a balanced diet that is low in saturated fat and includes plenty of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Additionally, the steaming process used to make Dim Sum helps to preserve the food's natural nutrition.

Trivia

A humorous fact about Dim Sum is that the Cantonese dialect pronunciation of the phrase “dim sum” literally translates to “touch the heart.” Dim sum is a type of Chinese food consisting of small dishes such as dumplings, steamed buns, and other delicacies. While the phrase “dim sum” may sound more like a cute phrase than a type of food, the meaning behind it is more heartfelt. The Cantonese phrase implies that these small dishes touch the heart with their taste, texture, and aroma. This funny fact about dim sum provides an interesting insight into the culture and origins of this beloved Chinese cuisine. Source: https://www.tasteatlas.com/dim-sum

Disclaimer: This buying guide was not created by humans, and it is possible that some of it's content is inaccurate or incomplete. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this buying guide. Additionally, the images on this page were generated by AI and may not accurately represent the product that is being discussed. We have tried to convey useful information, but it is our subjective opinion and should not be taken as complete or factual.