You've probably heard the phrase "dim sum." But, you probably have no idea how to order from the menu.
My friend, Ryan, has tried dim sum three times, but he has decided not to go there anymore, because he has had nightmares about dim sum restaurants! He couldn't understand the menu completely, so he just ordered something by instinct. When the dishes had been put on his table, he suddenly understood he had made wrong choices... because the food he ordered looked and tasted gross. Based on my friend's awful experiences, I decided to introduce some classic dim sum assortments from a view of a Chinese. After reading this article, please go to a dim sum restaurant again. Believe me, you will love it.
Dim sum consists of a wide variety of dishes, from sweet to savory. It has combinations of meat, vegetables, seafood, and fruit. It is usually served in a small bamboo basket (for steamed dim sum) or on a small dish. After the main meal, you have many choices of dessert, from tofu to pudding.
Some dim sum restaurants have over 50 items. As a Chinese, I chose the Top 10 most famous and popular dishes to share with you.
Sesame Seed Balls (Jin Dui):
Balls are rolled in sesame, filled with sweet red bean paste and deep-fried. Sesame seed balls are crispy and chewy. This is my favorite dim sum dessert.
Spring Rolls (Chun Juan):
Spring rolls consist of a crispy flour shell which contain juicy vegetables and meat inside.
Egg Custard Tart (Dan Ta):
Baked tart filled with egg custard. It can melt immediately when in your mouth.
Turnip cake (Law Bok Gow):
Turnip cake is a fried cake made with daikon which is a Chinese turnip.
Beef Balls (niu wan):
The ball is made of beef that has been finely pulverized and steamed.
Char Siu Bao:
These are steamed buns stuffed with barbecued pork.
Fung Jeow:
Chicken feet marinated in a special spicy sauce.
Har Gau:
Shrimp dumplings made with a translucent rice flour wrap.
Shaomai:
There are many kinds. Traditionally, shaomai is filled with pork, shrimp, sometimes with vegetables. It is best dipped in soy sauce.
Water Chestnut Cake:
A cake made of water chestnut that is pan-fried. So the outside is crispy while the inside remains soft.
Even though you may have had bad experiences ordering dim sum in a restaurant, you should give it a try again. Especially, now that you have read this food guide. If you are interested in dim sum, please leave me a comment, maybe I can be a guide and hold a "dim sum group" to explore the dim sum culture and find the best dim sum together in Boston.
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