What is Dim Sum?
Dim sum is a collective term for a variety of small traditional Chinese dishes served with tea. The origins of dim sum, which means “touch the heart” in Chinese, can be traced back to the snacks royal chefs created during Song dynasty (960-1279) and to the teahouse culture of southern China. The Chinese tradition of drinking tea, or “yum cha” in Cantonese, took off during the tenth century along the Silk Road as travelers frequented teahouses in the southern Chinese city of Canton (now called Guangzhou) for snacks known as dim sum to complement their tea. This practice of having tea together with dim sum eventually evolved into the modern meaning of yum cha, which now refers to the Cantonese version of brunch that involves eating a variety of dim sum dishes while drinking tea.
Different Styles of Dim Sum
With its roots in southern China, dim sum was originally often associated with Cantonese cuisine, but over time its popularity spread to northern China. Southern Chinese (Cantonese) dim sum still tends to be more common, but some key differences are that the flavours of northern Chinese dim sum are generally saltier, heavier, and simpler, while those of its southern counterparts are sweeter, lighter, and more complex. For seasoning, the northern style may use more soy sauce, vinegar, or chili oil, while the southern style may use more sugar, honey, or oyster sauce.
The cooking methods also differ between northern and southern Chinese dim sum. The northern style is most often steamed, fried, or baked. Some notable examples include sheng jian bao (pan-fried buns filled with pork that are crispy on the bottom and fluffy on top) and xiao long bao (steamed soup dumplings with juicy pork filling). In comparison, southern Chinese dim sum is more diverse, and may also include boiling, stewing, or braising. Some quintessential examples include siu mai (steamed pork and shrimp dumplings), char siu bao (steamed bbq pork buns), daan tat (flaky egg tarts).
Furthermore, the ingredients also reflect the climate and geography of the region. Shao bing (baked sesame cakes) and baozi (steamed buns filled with pork, beef, or lamb) are examples of northern style dim sum, which tends to use more wheat flour, meat, and dairy products. In contrast, cheong fun (rice noodle rolls), nor mai gai (sticky rice in lotus leaf), and har gow (shrimp dumplings) are classic southern examples, which use more rice flour, seafood, and vegetables.
Modern Dim Sum
As popularity for dim sum grew, chefs have started to create innovative ways of preparing and presenting classic dim sum dishes. You may come across dim sum that incorporates elements from other cuisines, such as Thai, Japanese, or French, or ones that contain non-traditional ingredients such as chocolate, foie gras, truffle, or caviar. As well, you may see creative and artistic presentations, such as the dim sum that are in the shape of animals or flowers.
Some chefs have even taken the dim sum concept out of the traditional Chinese restaurant setting into the modern-day food hall. TeAmo Fruit Tea in Fresh & Local Market + Kitchens offers a unique Hong Kong-style handcrafted dim sum experience that complements their selection of premium teas.
Inspired by the traditional teahouse culture of southern China, “I want to provide something fancier for people to enjoy with our premium tea” says chef-owner Clement Ng.
Before launching his own menu of artisanal dim sum, Ng apprenticed under a 30-year dim sum expert to learn the fundamentals of traditional Hong Kong-style dim sum. Utilizing those original recipes, Ng has been incorporating his own ideas in his contemporary dim sum. His beautifully presented deluxe dim sum box includes abalone topped with TeAmo’s signature garlic sauce, osmanthus flower and apple mochi cakes, and pineapple agar sweets.
The most impressive from his dim sum repertoire is his handmade fish dumplings (in the shape of koi fish) that are served with a consommé of shiro dashi (a delicate umami-packed Japanese soup base), fish maw and Jinhua ham. If you’re looking for something a little more familiar, Ng offers a steamed bun sampler flight that includes five different kinds of buns prepared in different ways and with different fillings.
Dim Sum Carts
For the past half-century, pushcarts have been an integral part of the iconic dim sum experience. Pushcart dim sum involves heated metal carts that are loaded with stacks of bamboo steamer baskets and plates of dim sum items that have been cooked in advance. These carts are then pushed around the dining area so you can see and smell the food before you order it. This is a fun and interactive way to enjoy dim sum since you can try a variety of dishes as they come by. Sadly, this is mostly turning into nostalgia as pushcart dim sum is on the decline. Most restaurants now have switched to ordering sheets to reduce labour costs, food waste and to ensure freshness and quality of the food. Most customers also tend to prefer ordering sheets as they are guaranteed to get what they want, and the food is freshly cooked to order.
Frozen Dim Sum
Dim sum’s popularity has now extended beyond the traditional teahouses, restaurants, and food halls. With the modern invention of frozen dim sum, you can nowadays enjoy it almost anywhere and at any time of the day, not just for brunch. As the name implies, frozen dim sum has been prepared in advance and frozen for later consumption. You can store it in the freezer for a long time and you can cook it in minutes by steaming, microwaving, or frying. Due to its popularity, frozen dim sum has become widely available. You can find it in supermarkets, at restaurants that sell them for takeout, as well as at dedicated shops. Frozen dim sum may not be as authentic or fresh as the ones served at a restaurant, but they are still a convenient and delicious way for you to enjoy dim sum at home.
Places to visit for Dim Sum:
Dim Sum Carts:
Central Grand, 295 - 1623 Centre Street N, Calgary
Jumbo Dim Sum, 10451 170 Street NW, Edmonton
Silver Dragon Restaurant, 106 3 Avenue SE, Calgary
Southern Chinese/Cantonese Dim Sum:
Beijing Dim Sum & Seafood Restaurant, 700 - 3803 Calgary Trail NW, Edmonton
Chef Tony Dim Sum and Chinese Cuisine, 14921 Stony Plain Road, Edmonton
Chinese Cultural Centre Cuisine, 197 1 Street SW, Calgary
Golden Rice Bowl, 5365 Gateway Boulevard NW, Edmonton
Golden Sands Chinese Restaurant, 5010 Centre St N, Calgary
T.POT China Bistro, 9650 Harvest Hills Boulevard N, Calgary
Northern Chinese Dim Sum
Great Taste Chinese Restaurant, 123 2 Avenue SE, Calgary
Shanghai 456, 14456 118 Avenue NW, Edmonton
Food Hall Dim Sum:
TeAmo Dim Sum and Fruit Tea, 12445 Lake Fraser Drive SE, Calgary
Frozen Dim Sum:
Delta Food Products, 10557 114 Street NW, Edmonton
Chuen May Food Products Dim Sum, 221 1 Street SE, Calgary
Sum Kee One Dim Sum, 1601 Centre Street N, Calgary
Top Gun Kitchen, 7 - 3927 Edmonton Trail, Calgary
Yummy Dim Sum, 243 - 1623 Centre Street NW, Calgary