A Guide to 20 Types of Dimsum
Dimsum, a popular Cantonese cuisine, offers a wide variety of bite-sized delights. Here's a guide to 20 types of dimsum you can find in a traditional dimsum restaurant:
1. Har Gow (Shrimp Dumplings): These translucent dumplings are filled with succulent shrimp and bamboo shoots, perfectly steamed to maintain their delicate texture.
2. Siu Mai (Pork Dumplings): Siu Mai consists of a mixture of ground pork, shrimp, and mushrooms, topped with a vibrant orange roe.
3. Char Siu Bao (Steamed BBQ Pork Buns): Soft and fluffy buns filled with a sweet and savory barbecue pork filling are a dimsum favorite.
4. Cheung Fun (Rice Noodle Rolls): Thin and silky rice noodle sheets envelop various fillings like shrimp, pork, or beef, served with a flavorful soy-based sauce.
5. Lo Bak Gou (Turnip Cake): These pan-fried cakes made with shredded radish and rice flour are often served with soy sauce or hoisin sauce.
6. Fung Zau (Chicken Feet): A delicacy for the adventurous, chicken feet are braised until tender and then steamed with a flavorful black bean sauce.
7. Lor Mai Gai (Sticky Rice in Lotus Leaf): Fragrant sticky rice filled with chicken, pork, Chinese sausage, and mushrooms, wrapped in a lotus leaf and steamed.
8. Lo Mai Fan (Steamed Glutinous Rice): An aromatic mixture of sticky rice, marinated chicken, Chinese sausage, shiitake mushrooms, and sometimes dried shrimp, steamed to perfection.
9. Ngau Cheung (Beef Rice Rolls): Wide rice noodle rolls envelop tender slices of beef, often enjoyed with a side of soy-based sauce.
10. Xiao Long Bao (Soup Dumplings): Delicate, thin-skinned dumplings filled with flavorful soup and ground pork, best enjoyed by sipping the soup before eating the dumpling.
11. Chiu Chow Fun Gor (Teochew Dumplings): These chewy dumplings are filled with peanuts, garlic chives, and minced pork, offering a delightful combination of flavors and textures.
12. Zha Leong (Crispy Dough Wrapped in Rice Rolls): A sinful combination of deep-fried dough sticks wrapped in silky rice noodle rolls, topped with a flavorful soy-based sauce.
13. Bak Chang (Glutinous Rice Dumplings): These pyramid-shaped sticky rice dumplings are typically filled with a combination of pork belly, mushrooms, and salted egg yolk, then wrapped in a bamboo leaf and boiled.
14. Xiao Bai Cai (Steamed Baby Bok Choy): A refreshing option, steamed baby bok choy offers a light and crunchy accompaniment to the other more substantial dimsum dishes.
15. Yin Yeung (Coffee with Tea): Although not a specific dimsum item, this iconic Cantonese drink is often enjoyed alongside a dimsum feast. It combines milk tea and coffee for a unique and flavorful beverage.
16. Fengzhua (Chicken Feet with Black Bean Sauce): Similar to Fung Zau, these chicken feet are braised and steamed with a rich black bean sauce, offering a delicious blend of flavors.
17. Haam Sui Gok (Deep-Fried Glutinous Rice Dumplings): These crispy and golden dumplings are filled with a mixture of minced pork, dried shrimp, mushrooms, and glutinous rice.
18. Wu Gok (Taro Dumplings): Deep-fried crisp taro dumplings filled with juicy minced pork, mushrooms, and peanuts offer a delightful contrast of textures.
19. Dan Tart (Egg Tarts): A classic dimsum dessert, these buttery and flaky pastry shells filled with smooth and creamy egg custard are a must-try.
20. Lo Bo Gao (Turnip Pudding): Made from shredded turnip and rice flour, this dimsum dish is steamed until firm, then pan-fried to create a crispy exterior.
Remember, this is just a sampling of the many delectable dimsum options available. So grab a pot of Chinese tea and prepare to embark on an unforgettable culinary adventure in the world of dimsum delights!
