Dim sum making has its roots in China. It is believed that the first dim sum was made 2,500 years ago, according to the music and poetry of that time. Despite its links to Cantonese cuisine, the first dim sum was made in Northern China and not Canton. In the initial years of its existence, dim sum was mainly a luxury reserved for the Emperor and his family and the wealthy. Later, it made its way to tea houses, particularly those along the Silk Road.
Now, dim sum is omnipresent. Most Chinese restaurants across the world enthusiastically serve these steamed or fried parcels, and restaurants in Delhi are no different. Most of the capital’s Chinese restaurants have a section dedicated to dim sum on their menus. We recommend the five best places for dim sum in Delhi:
Royal China
Known for its extensive list and the quality of dumplings, Royal China is one of the best places to go to for dim sum in Delhi. Located on the 16th floor of the Eros Corporate Tower, the restaurant has been a well-known name when it comes to Chinese food. The mood is fine dining but the prices are regular, except for seafood, which is slightly more expensive.
Ping’s Cafe Orient
A relatively newer addition to the city’s Asian food scene, Ping’s in Lodhi Colony specialises in creative dim sum. Their Philadelphia cream cheese dim sum have created a stir ever since the restaurant was launched. Others like the edamame wasabi truffle, spicy chicken and water chestnut, and butter garlic prawn dim sum are also worth ordering.
Yum Yum Cha
Known mostly for its sushi, Yum Yum Cha makes great dim sum too. There are 18 varieties and it’s possible to order one, three, or five baskets. The cheung fun or fresh rice rolls come with a filling of crispy chicken, spicy prawn or crispy vegetable, and the baos can be stuffed with Korean fried chicken, Korean fried tofu, pork belly or truffled mushroom.
Nanking
One of Delhi’s oldest and most well regarded Chinese restaurants, Nanking in Vasant Kunj has a tempting list of dim sum and even hosts a dim sum brunch where patrons may eat as many dim sum as they like. Try classics like the hargow, suimai and bao, or get creative with the prawn and mushroom or chicken and prawn crystal dumpling.
Dimcha
A dedicated dim sum restaurant, Dimcha pairs its dumplings with specialty teas. While soups, sushi and some main dishes are also on the menu, the dim sum are the stars of the show. Choose from vegetable and chive, edamame and truffle, mushroom and vegetable in khow suey curry, spicy prawn or chicken dumpling in chilli oil.