How to order dim sum for the table
Dim sum is a meal of small steamed, fried and baked dishes shared over tea, usually from late morning to early afternoon. Most dishes come three or four pieces to a basket, so larger tables order some items twice.
How many to order (rule of thumb)
| Party | Dishes | Suggested balance |
|---|---|---|
| 2 people | 6–8 | 3 steamed dumplings or buns, 1 rice roll, 1 fried item, 1 green vegetable, 1 rice or noodle dish if you want a fuller meal |
| 4 people | 12–14 | 5–6 steamed (double the shrimp dumplings), 2 rice rolls, 2 fried, 1 vegetable, 1 rice or noodle, 1 dessert |
| 6 people | 18–20 | 7–8 steamed (double 3–4 of them), 2–3 rice rolls, 3 fried, 2 vegetables, 1–2 rice or noodle, 1–2 desserts |
These counts are rules of thumb. Portion sizes vary by restaurant; ask your server if plates look small or large.
Balance: about half steamed, the rest split across rolls, fried items and one vegetable; one rice or noodle dish for every two to four people. Drinks: one pot of tea per table is standard; there is usually a small per-person tea charge.
What to order
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Har gow
Translucent shrimp dumplings.
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Siu mai
Open-topped pork and shrimp dumplings.
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Char siu bao
Fluffy buns filled with barbecue pork, steamed or baked.
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Cheung fun
Steamed rice noodle rolls with shrimp, beef or barbecue pork, in sweet soy.
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Lo mai gai
Sticky rice with chicken and mushroom, steamed in a lotus leaf.
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Lo bak go
Pan-fried turnip cake.
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Spring rolls
Crisp fried rolls with vegetables or shrimp.
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Fung zao
Braised chicken feet in black bean sauce, for the adventurous.
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Gai lan
Chinese broccoli with oyster sauce.
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Dan tat
Baked egg tarts, usually ordered at the end.
Tips
- Pour tea for others before yourself. Tapping two fingers on the table is a common way to say thanks.
- To ask for more hot water, leave the teapot lid tilted open.
- Go early. Popular items can run out by early afternoon, especially at weekends.