Buzz
Dimsum, ever since its introduction to Vietnam, has been warmly embraced by people from all walks of life. Its appeal lies not only in its exquisite taste and visual appeal, but also in its uniqueness and novelty. Let's delve into the distinctive aspects of dimsum below to gain a deeper understanding of this iconic Chinese culinary delight.
1. What does Dimsum mean?
Dimsum (Chinese: 点心), also known as 'touching the heart', essentially refers to light, savory dishes popular in Chinese cuisine. Traditionally, it comprises sweet delicacies. Legend has it that a great general during the Eastern Jin dynasty, moved by the valiant efforts of his soldiers on the battlefield, ordered the creation of various sweet treats beloved by all. He then dispatched emissaries to the frontline, expressing his 'heartfelt gratitude'. Since then, the term 'Dimsum' has spread far and wide, embodying this heartfelt sentiment.
Dimsum is the international term for these breakfast delights
2. The essence of a Dimsum feast lies not in the dishes, but in the tea
Tea is also the birthplace of dimsum: As merchants traversed the Silk Road, they found solace in teahouses where tea aided digestion. These teahouses gradually began serving small bites, evolving into dim sum as we know it today. When dining at a dimsum restaurant, the first order of business is to summon tea; without it, one cannot fully appreciate dimsum's distinct refinement and elegance.
Alongside the sweet fragrance of dimsum, the bitter-sweet aftertaste of tea creates a delicate harmony. The enticing flavors of the dish mingle with wisps of smoke rising from steaming hot tea cups, fostering a space of enjoyment, sharing warmth, and nostalgic sentiments with loved ones seated nearby, savoring the meal together.
Certain types of tea are considered popular in dimsum restaurants: Pu-Erh, Chrysanthemum, Oolong, and Jasmine tea. For each type of dimsum, we will select the most suitable tea to accompany it.
Regarded for its fat-busting properties, Pu-Erh tea, widely favored in Saigon's Chinatown but relatively unknown in the North, pairs well with dishes high in fat content like fried foods. Pu-Erh is sometimes likened to the wine of Dim Sum, aiding digestion. While Pu-Erh boasts a deep, earthy hue and flavor, Chrysanthemum tea with its sweet aroma is ideal for steamed dishes, seafood, and light desserts.
Oolong tea, renowned for its flavor and quality, complements nearly all dimsum dishes. If ever in doubt about tea selection, Oolong is a safe bet.
At dimsum restaurants, customers are required to order tea before dimsum.
3. How many types of dimsum are there?
There isn't a specific count for the types of dimsum, but typically dimsum restaurants categorize them into the following main groups:
- Steamed dishes: Characterized by delicacies like har gow, siu mai, two dimsum legends.
- Various types of buns: Signature items include barbecue pork buns, custard buns, indispensable on any dimsum menu.
- Meat-filled items: Standout dishes include chicken feet, seafood sauce ribs... that you definitely must try when indulging in dimsum.
- Rolls: Unmissable is the legendary shrimp rolls.
- Fried dishes: Pinnacles of this category include fried har gow, pomegranate buns...
- Desserts: Incredibly diverse and nourishing like bird's nest soup, red bean soup, snow fungus dessert...
It's truly difficult to tally up all the types of dimsum because the quantity and variety are so abundant, depending on each dimsum restaurant's chefs.
4. Dimsum shapes are not fixed
Throughout thousands of years of culinary innovation, dimsum shapes have become increasingly diverse and realistic, ranging from geometric models to depictions of animals, objects,... incredibly captivating and enticing. Basic shapes often remain simple and traditional such as circles, squares, rectangles,...
Shapes closely tied to daily life may resemble animals or plants. We often encounter dimsum imitating plant forms. The most common are floral-shaped dimsum, with artisans often using models of roses, orchids, lotuses,... Additionally, dimsum chefs at dimsum restaurants also create dimsum in the shape of fruits: apples, peaches, pears, oranges,... Moreover, simulating various animal species is also a popular dimsum shaping style, such as goldfish, dragonflies, swallows, jade rabbits,...
The diversity and variety of dimsum shapes mirror the richness of Chinese cuisine.
5. Why is dimsum never served in sets of 4?
Each dimsum dish presented on the steaming bamboo trays at banquets consists of 3 pieces, as the number 3 in Chinese sounds similar to the word 'wealth' (tài). If different, it would be 5 pieces ('fortune') or 6 pieces ('prosperity'). All signify wishes for prosperous business dealings. Dimsum is never served in sets of 4 because in Chinese, the number 4 (sì) sounds like the word 'death' (sǐ). Chinese people avoid this number as it brings no luck in commerce, as one would prefer a balance between gains and losses, akin to military strategies.
6. Eating dimsum
During meals, the younger individuals must serve tea and pass dishes to the elders, showcasing deep Eastern cultural respect towards seniors. The proper way to enjoy dimsum also piques curiosity: those of Chinese descent typically use chopsticks for items like har gow or siu mai, while buns or sesame balls are best enjoyed by hand.
The diversity in flavors, intricacy in preparation and consumption, along with the longstanding culinary culture, make dimsum not only a traditional dish reflecting the spirit of the Chinese people but also genuinely touching the hearts of diners. Through the information provided by PasGo above, it is hoped that you will gain a deeper understanding of this quintessential Chinese cuisine.
