Dim sum is a popular Cantonese cuisine known for its delightful and delicious dishes. Originating in China but now found all over the world, dim sum is a great choice for any occasion. Dim sum has a long and rich history, dating back to the Song Dynasty in China (from 960 to 1279 AD). During this time, travelers and merchants would stop at teahouses to rest and enjoy a meal. As the teahouses grew in popularity, the owners began to serve small snacks and dishes with their tea. These snacks were known as "dim sum," meaning "touch the heart," as they were meant to be enjoyed in small portions and to touch the heart. Over time, the dim sum dishes grew in popularity, and the variety of dishes expanded. Today, dim sum is enjoyed all over the world and has become a staple of Chinese cuisine.
From family gatherings to special occasions, dim sum is a great way to start off any meal with its unique and flavorful dishes. But choosing the right dim sum recipes can be a challenge. To help you out, here are the top 5 dim sum recipes you'll love to make right at home!
1. Steamed Pork Buns
Classic dim sum steamed pork buns are easy to make at home. Simple dough and flavorful pork filling make the buns. The fluffy buns are steamed and served with various sauces. Start by mixing all-purpose flour, active dry yeast, sugar, and salt. Mix warm water into a soft dough. Knead the dough for 5 minutes, then rest for 30 minutes. In a bowl, mix ground pork, shiitake mushrooms, scallions, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, and white pepper to make the filling. Mix the ingredients well and set aside. Divide the resting dough into 16 pieces. Flatten each ball. Put a spoonful of pork filling in the center of each piece, fold the edges up, and pinch. Steam buns for 8–10 minutes on a parchment-lined steamer. Choose a dipping sauce for the buns.
Taste: Savory
Total time: 1 hour
Prep time: 30 minutes
Calories per serving: 150–200 calories per bun
2. Har Gow
Dim sum lovers love har gow, shrimp-filled translucent dumplings. Steamed dumplings finish cooking. Har gow starts with shrimp, bamboo shoots, and garlic in a bowl. Add light soy sauce, sesame oil, white pepper, and corn flour, and mix well. Mix all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl to make dough. Mix cold water into a soft dough. Knead the dough for 5 minutes, then rest for 20 minutes. Divide the rested dough into 16 pieces. Flatten each ball. Put a spoonful of shrimp filling in the center of each piece, fold the edges up, and pinch. Steam dumplings for 8–10 minutes on a parchment-lined steamer. Choose a dipping sauce for the dumplings.
Taste: Savory
Total time: 1 hour
Prep time: 40 minutes
Calories per serving: 50–60 calories per dumpling
3. Char Siu Bao
Char siu bao, which are steamed buns filled with sweet and savory Chinese barbecue pork, are a classic type of dim sum. The pork filling is flavorful, and the buns are fluffy. Make the dough for char siu bao by mixing all-purpose flour, active dry yeast, sugar, and salt in a bowl. Mix warm water into a soft dough. Knead the dough for 5 minutes, then rest for 30 minutes. In a bowl, mix ground pork, char siu sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil for the filling. Mix the ingredients well and set aside. Divide the rested dough into 16 pieces. Flatten each ball. Put a spoonful of pork filling in the center of each piece, fold the edges up, and pinch. Steam buns for 8–10 minutes on a parchment-lined steamer. Choose a dipping sauce for the buns.
Taste: Sweet and savory
Total time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Prep time: 40 minutes
Calories per serving: 186 calories per bun
4. Fried Taro Dumplings
Dim sum fans will love fried taro dumplings. A simple dough and flavorful taro filling make these dumplings. Fried dumplings are crispy and golden brown. Start by mixing all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix cold water into a soft dough. Knead the dough for 5 minutes, then rest for 20 minutes. In a bowl, mix taro, pork, shiitake mushrooms, scallions, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, and white pepper for the filling. Mix the ingredients well and set aside. Divide the rested dough into 16 pieces. Flatten each ball. Put a spoonful of taro filling in the center of each piece, then fold and pinch the edges. Fry the dumplings for 3–4 minutes in medium-high oil, flipping halfway through. Choose a dipping sauce for the dumplings.
Taste: Savory
Total time: 1 hour
Prep time: 40 minutes
Calories per serving: 120 calories per dumpling
5. Dim Sum Egg Custard Tart
Egg custard tarts are a popular dim sum dish that consist of a buttery tart shell filled with a rich egg custard. After baking, the tarts have a set custard and a golden crust. Make the dough for egg custard tarts. Mix flour, sugar, and salt. Mix in cold butter until it resembles coarse meal. Mix cold water into a soft dough. Knead the dough for 5 minutes, then rest for 30 minutes. Make the custard filling by mixing eggs, sugar, evaporated milk, and vanilla in a bowl. Mix the ingredients well and set aside. Divide the rested dough into 16 pieces. Flatten each ball. Fill muffin pans with dough and egg custard. Bake the tarts until the custard is set and the crust is golden brown, 20–25 minutes. Warm or room-temperature tarts.
Taste: Sweet
Total time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Prep time: 30 minutes
Calories per serving: 200 calories per tart
What to Serve with Dim Sum
Dim sum is served with sides and drinks for brunch or lunch and is usually served with jasmine, oolong, or pu-erh tea. Another good choice is congee, a hot rice porridge that can be topped with sliced meat, scallions, or preserved eggs. Stir-fried noodles, either plain or with vegetables and meat, or steamed or stir-fried vegetables like bok choy or broccoli can add fresh and healthy elements to the meal. Hot and sour or egg drop soup can start the meal or refresh the palate between dim sum bites. Cucumber or daikon radish pickles add a tangy flavor to dim sum. Dim sum dishes can be flavored and moistened with soy sauce, chili oil, or sweet and sour sauce.
Dim sum is a delicious and versatile Chinese cuisine that is sure to please. From steamed buns to fried dumplings and everything in between, there is something for everyone. With the top 5 dim sum recipes above, you can make dim sum at home and enjoy it with family and friends. Get cooking and discover the deliciousness of dim sum!