And perhaps the most important of all dim sum rules: don’t forget the xiao long bao. Always pour the tea of someone you are dining with before your own and leave the lid of your teapot askew if you need a refill. It makes sense that dim sum translates literally to, “touch the heart.” Sometimes busy and loud, sometimes adventurous and wild, eating dim sum is usually an experience that's both a little theatrical, and a lot delicious.ĭim sum can be intimidating for first-timers, so here are some rules for newbies: If dining in, try your best to sit near the kitchen - it may create a louder dining atmosphere, but you will get the first pick of all the dim sum as it comes out of there on carts and whether you are dining in or taking it to-go, don’t forget about the tea! It is supposed to aid in digestion and whether you are a tea fan or not, tea and dim sum go hand in hand. A meal that can only be shared, dim sum comes family-style with an assortment of dumplings, bao, rice rolls, and other handcrafted treats. Eating dim sum might just be one of life’s great pleasures.
