Dim Sum
Dim Sum (點心) is a traditional style of Chinese cuisine where small snack-sized portions of food are served in steamer baskets, usually with tea. These foods typically include many kinds of dumplings, buns, rice noodle rolls and small rice dishes.
Originating in Guangzhou, it remains very popular in places such as Hong Kong and the Guangdong province. Dim sum is often associated with yum cha (飲茶), literally meaning "drink tea", a practice dating back to the times of the ancient Silk Road wherein dim sum was served with tea, both in seemingly free-flowing amounts to travelers at teahouses. It was found that tea could aid in digestion, so dim sum was often served in this manner with tea.
Today, the tradition still exists, more so for enjoyment rather than respite.
Dim Sum in Hong Kong
Being in the Canton area, Dim sum and Yum cha remain popular today. Traditionally, dim sum would be served in teahouses where pushcarts carrying many stacked dim sum baskets would serve the customers, allowing the customers to order from their seats as they saw the cart being pushed around. While this practice can still be found, it is less commonplace and many restaurants have opted for simply ordering from a menu.
The practice of eating Dim sum is still very much popular in Hong Kong, where it is eaten on many occasions. These can include family dinners, receiving foreign guests and wanting to show them traditional Hong Kong food, and other special occasions such as birthdays and celebrating promotions or successful business deals. However, it is not uncommon to have dim sum simply to enjoy dim sum and drink tea with some friends.