Background of Dim Sum:
Dim Sum is an intangible cultural heritage which is a traditional craftsmanship inherited from our ancestors and passed on to our future generations. Its specialties are the making techniques and its food culture.
Dim Sum always served with tea in a tea house. People usually prepared them as a small bite-sied poertions of food and served in small steamer baskets or on small plates.
It is a popular Chinese cuisine relates to "Yum Cha" tradition, meaning drinking Chinese tea such as Puer and Oolong. Between 1920s to 1930s, people going to a tea house was dubbed as "Yat Chung Leung Kin", meaning taking a cup of tea and two pieces of dim sum. Later, tea houses recognized as a place for people gathering.
Values of Dim Sum:
Aesthetics / Arts
In terms of aspects of sensory perception, each Dim Sum dishes have its own ingredients, color, design, smell, taste, and making / cooking techniques.
Historical
In the past, tea houses served morning tea and lunch only. There is no evening banquets and provided merely tea and a few kinds of Dim Sum. After 1930s, Dim Sum came in a much wider range of varieties, including buns, dumplings, pasties, crisps, cakes, etc.
Iconic
Dim Sum is served as a symbol of a culture. When people thinking of Dim Sum, they can easily also think of various Dim Sum dishes, Dim Sum cart / snack car, steamer baskets, Chinese tea, etc.
Since Dim Sum is also a Hong Kong classic and popular dish around the world. We build this online gallery to digitize, share and promote the Hong Kong-styled Dim Sum dishes. Everyone is welcome, especially for foreigners, tourists, Dim Sum lovers, and those who are interested in cooking Dim Sum.