Review:

Hong Kong Dim Sum is undoubtedly the best in the world. Dim sum restaurants in Hong Kong were the forerunners for those in America, and can be considered one of Hong Kong’s must try experiences.

The Hong Kong Dim Sum restaurants we have listed below not only serve up delicious Dim Sum, but also carry English menus, making your first journey into Dim Sum a little less daunting.

Dim Sum is considered a lunchtime experience, however most restaurants now serve throughout the day. Keep in mind during the Hong Kong lunch hour, 1pm -2pm, Dim Sum restaurants will be jammed with people and are best avoided.

Dim Sum is one of the most well known Chinese words amongst Westerners. Traditionally, Chinese housewives would serve tiny, steamed dumplings as breakfast to the husband or houseguests. They said these dumplings were made with great love and care for the husband, visitors or for restaurant patrons and they called these dumplings "Dim Sum" in Cantonese (literally translated as "from the heart"). Another not so famous name for this favorite Chinese treat is "Yum-Cha", that means "drink tea" in Cantonese. Chinese people like to start the day with a cup of Chinese tea and some tasty dumplings or "Dim Sum".

The combination of tea and dim sum has long been a part of the way of life for Chinese people, especially those residing in Guangdong Province. The amazing variety is proof that Cantonese cooking is an art form. No wonder the Qing Dynasty emperor came south and visited a teahouse, to sample the new culinary institution of dim sum. Nowadays in Hong Kong and Guangdong Province, the expressions yum cha and dim sum are inseparable. People there are especially fond of dim sum and families gather frequently in teahouses where they can snack for hours.

No trip there would be complete without trying dim sum. These delightful, mouth-watering snacks are served in steaming bamboo baskets and eaten with pots of Chinese tea for breakfast or lunch. Steamed pork buns, shrimp dumplings, beef balls and pan-fried squid with spicy salt are just some of the local favorites. There is no ordering; instead you choose from a wide assortment of snacks that the waiters bring out on carts and trays. If you are looking to have a romantic lunch, then a dim sum restaurant probably is not a good choice. First, the atmosphere is hardly conducive to romance, what with the clattering of trays, people calling out their orders, and large groups of people talking at each table.

Besides, the best way to enjoy dim sum is with a large group; otherwise you will fill up on a few items and miss the opportunity to sample everything. For the novice, the noisy atmosphere in a dim sum restaurant can take a bit of getting used to. But it is a great way to sample a large variety of tastes and flavors without feeling overly full. 

The Chinese culinary delights date back to the Song Dynasty (960-1279). Originally a Cantonese custom, dim sum is inextricably linked to the Chinese tradition of yum cha. Travelers journeying along the famous Silk Road needed a place to rest, so teahouses began springing up along the roadside. Rural farmers, exhausted after long hours working in the fields, would also head to the local teahouse for an afternoon of tea and relaxing conversation. Still, it took several centuries for the culinary art of dim sum to develop. It was originally considered inappropriate to combine tea with food - in fact a famous 3rd century Imperial physician claimed this would lead to excessive weight gain. However, as tea's ability to aid in digestion and cleanse the palate became known, teahouse proprietors began adding a variety of snacks, and the tradition of dim sum was born.

Today, dim sum is served throughout China, particularly in Shanghai. We enjoy regional variations in "small eats": dumplings in Beijing or pearl balls and spicy wontons in Sichuan. However, the best dim sum can be found in Canton, with its wide assortment of sweet and savory dishes ranging from meatballs to sweet cakes.

In the West, dim sum came about as a natural result of 19th Chinese immigrants - most were from the Canton region - settling on the East and West coasts. Some gourmands believe that dim sum inspired the whole idea of "brunch" - combining breakfast and lunch into one large midmorning meal. It is true that the word "brunch" only came into existence in the late 1800s.

However, studies have found dim sum to be highly loaded with fat and sodium. Excessive intake of saturated fat in the long run will increase the risk of chronic health problems such as cardiovascular disease and some types of cancer, while too much salt will increase blood pressure. Dim sum diehards should select dim sum dishes sensibly, ordering more steamed buns and fewer pan-fried and deep-fried items. They should also eat half a plate of boiled vegetables, minus any sauce, and complement their diet later in the day with high-calcium foods such as dairy products, soybean curd and green leafy vegetables.

Besides the evident fat and cholesterol values in the food, one should also be aware that things such as, the dough around your delicious BBQ pork bun, actually has some rather unappealing ingredients added for color and texture reasons. Alkaline water and ammonia are common additives in old school Canton kitchens and may not exactly be the best for your health. Not to mention that your favorite youtiao stand on the street may be adding powered soap detergent to the batter for a certain "flavor".  

Recommended places to eat:

1. Cuisine Cuisine

Some of the tastiest Dim Sum in the city, served up by Hong Kong’s most talented Dim Sum chefs. If you are looking for a traditional setting, you’ll want to look elsewhere; Cuisine Cuisine has a sublimely modern interior inside Hong Kong’s biggest skyscraper. The restaurant has VIP rooms that are available for hire, and offer unbeatable views over the harbor. Despite the modern interior, the cuisine is a strictly traditional interpretation. Staff are proficient in English, as well as Mandarin. IFC Tower 2, 2nd Floor, Central.

2. Yung Kee

One of Hong Kong’s most famous restaurants, renowned for its roast meats, particularly roast goose. Although the restaurant is generally noted for its dinner selections, it also serves up some excellent Dim Sum. Yung Kee has a famous vetting process for their chefs, and the chefs exhausting training is apparent in the quality of the food. The atmosphere is exactly as you’d expect in a Hong Kong Dim Sum restaurant, manic, diners descend on Yung Kee at lunchtime and the noise and action is all part of the Dim Sum experience. 32 – 40 Wellington Street, Central.

3. Tsui Hang Village

With restaurants in both Hong Kong and in Guangzhou, Tsui Hang has regional experience in it’s delivery of Dim Sum – and it shows. Tasty Dim Sum is delivered inside a traditional Chinese interior and by servers equally decked out in customary costume. Tsui Hang also delivers Dim Sum at very equitable prices. 2nd Floor , New World Tower, 16-18 Queens Road, Central.

4. City Hall

Hong Kong’s most famous Dim Sum restaurant, City Hall deserves its hefty reputation for quality Dim Sum cuisine. City Hall is also one of the few remaining restaurants that still deliver Dim Sum on a traditional cart. This is the way Dim Sum was traditionally delivered, allowing you to simply point at what you want, unfortunately, aside from City Hall this has been phased out in nearly all Hong Kong Dim Sum restaurants. The food here is excellent, however it’s reputation has seen prices creep-up, although the combination of experience and food make it worthwhile. 2nd Floor, City Hall, Central .

5. Western Market

A fantastic setting inside the colonial styled Western Market building. Food here is decent, if not spectacular, while the ad-hoc daily layout of seats can mean your elbows end up in someone else’s soup. However, what makes Western Market worth stopping by are its daily tea dances. You can enjoy your Dim Sum, while watching, or participating, in a traditional English Tea Dance. Prices are fair considering the fantastic setting. Western Market, Des Voeux Road Central, Sheung Wan.