Well, reading this blog is your chance to satisfy that curiosity. Keep on reading to know more about dim sum, like its origins, and discovering the variety it offers beyond our beloved siopao and siomai. 

Ready to embark on this tasty journey? Let’s begin!

So what is dim sum, exactly?

Dimsum or dim sum, a term that resonates with “a touch to the heart,” is a traditional Chinese cuisine (mainly Cantonese cuisine, although other Chinese cuisines have their own form of dimsum) that consists of a variety of small, savory and/or sweet dishes, ranging from dumplings to buns, and rolls to cakes. Think of it as being similar to Spanish tapas or Filipino salu-salo—the dishes are shared among family and friends. Traditional dim sum is a brunch meal, usually enjoyed with tea (yum cha).

Thankfully, a modern dim sum meal doesn’t necessarily need you to drink tea (good news for those non-tea lovers out there). Eating dim sum doesn’t also have to be restricted to brunch; you can have dimsum for lunch, dinner, or even merienda.

What are the origins of dimsum?

Like with many delicious treats (i.e. the opera cake), the origins of the dim sum dish have plenty of versions, such as:

• The first written reference to the “dim sum” was during the Tang dynasty, where it was used to mean “barely fill the stomach.” However, dim sum was common all the way back in the Song dynasty (960–1279) in China—royal chefs were tasked with creating new varieties of small dishes.
• Some believe that dim sum originated in tea houses along the Silk Road as long ago as 2,500 years ago as a light accompaniment to special appetite-stimulating teas given to travelers 
• One more story is that the Cantonese dim sum culture started in tearooms in the latter half of the 19th century in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong. Silk Road travelers and traders would take breaks in tea houses and eat dim sum. The practice eventually spread and became popular, especially in Hong Kong.

Whatever the true origins of dimsum, we’re glad it exists, and that there are plenty of dim sum restaurants to get our fix, agree?

What are typical dim sum dishes?

When you order dimsum from a dim sum restaurant, you’ll get a variety of small food plates and/or bamboo steamers. You can get steamed dishes or fried or baked ones. Here are some popular dim sum dishes.

Savory Dim Sum

Gao

These are dumplings wrapped in thin skin, filled with ingredients such as meat, vegetables, and/or seafood.

Siu Mai

Siu mai or siomai for us Pinoys are dumplings with a pork and cabbage filling, often served in steamed or fried versions. We’ve also made variations like beef and chicken siomai.

Har Gow

These translucent, pleated shrimp dumplings are a test of a chef’s skill – delicate and flavorful.

Char Siu Bao

Barbecued pork buns in English. These are steamed buns filled with a mixture of pork, vegetables, and other ingredients, often topped with a BBQ sauce. Think of them like our asado rolls.

Cheong Fun

Rice noodle rolls that are steamed and have various fillings. They’re akin to lumpiang sariwa, but with a softer, silkier texture.

Sweet Dim Sum

Custard Buns

These are steamed buns with a creamy, sweet custard filling. The filling is usually a rich, eggy custard, offering a delightful contrast to the soft bun. They’re a favorite for their indulgent and comforting taste.

Egg Tarts

Also known as egg custard, these are sweet tarts with a flaky pastry crust and a creamy, custard-like filling. They are a staple in many dim sum restaurants. People love them for their rich, sweet flavor.

Mango Pudding

A refreshing and fruity dessert, mango pudding is smooth and creamy, often served chilled with a topping of fresh mango pieces or a light cream.

Sesame Seed Balls

Known locally as buchi, these chewy, deep-fried sesame balls are coated with sesame seeds and usually filled with sweet red bean paste. They have a crispy exterior and a soft, sweet interior.

Almond Jelly

Often served with fruit, this jelly is mild in flavor and made with almond milk or extract. It’s a subtle dessert for those who prefer less sweetness.

Do note that dim sum is not limited to these dishes, as there are over one thousand varieties of dim sum. Check out Dimsum 101 and Dimsum 102 here at The Bailiwick Academy for more specific examples.

What’s the best way to enjoy dimsum?

Want to fully savor dimsum? Here are some tips to keep in mind!

• Enjoy the flavors slowly, especially with complex dishes like xiao long bao (soup dumplings). Let the soup inside cool a bit before taking a bite.
• High-quality dim sum is usually well-seasoned. Therefore, additional sauce might not be necessary, even if we Pinoys can’t help putting soy sauce. If needed, add a small amount of soy sauce or chili and adjust to taste.
• Use chopsticks to hold the dim sum and take smaller bites, allowing the food to cool down. Some items, like shrimp dumplings, you can finish in a single bite.
• The communal nature of sharing various dishes makes dim sum a social and enjoyable experience, best enjoyed with family or friends. Of course, there’s no one to stop you if you want to enjoy dimsum by yourself!
• Embrace the variety of dim sum. Mix steamed, fried, and baked items, including classics and more adventurous choices.
• For fun, eat dim sum the traditional Chinese way: with tea! Plus, it does aid your digestion.
• Begin with lighter, steamed dishes before moving to heavier, fried items to appreciate the subtle flavors.
• Mind dim sum etiquette. Use communal chopsticks or serving spoons for sharing, pour tea for others first, and tap the table to thank someone who pours tea for you.

Enjoy dim sum the Filipino way!

For us Pinoys, we love to eat almost everything with rice, even our sweets like kakanin! And guess what? You can easily enjoy dim sum with rice too—even without going to any dimsum place.

Thanks to Chef Allan Mertola’s new class, Dimsum Rice Toppings, it’s now simple to bring these tasty dim sum flavors to our everyday rice meals at home.

In this class, you can make nine different kinds of rice toppings:

• Chicken Mushroom
• Pork and Shrimp
• Pork Ribs with Tausi
• Spicy Asado Squid
• Shanghainese Dumpling
• Pork Scallop
• Chinese Kikiam
• Beef Ball
• Crispy Prawn Dumpling

And even get a bonus recipe for Yang Chow Fried Rice to make your dimsum with rice experience really special! If your family loves dim sum food, this class will surely make you a superstar in their eyes!

It’s great for business as well. As we said above, Pinoys LOVE Chinese food!

Ready to add some sizzle to your everyday meals or food business?  Sign up at The Bailiwick Academy, enroll in this class, and watch the magic happen!

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Keep coming back to The Bailiwick Academy blog for more baking and cooking tips, kitchen tricks, and much more!