The Best Dim Sum Recipes (2024)

Treat yourself to dim sum at home any time. My dim sum recipes will have you making your favorites even better than your favorite Chinese restaurant!

I know it’s a difficult time for all of us as the world virtually holds its breath. Making the best of it is all we can do, and while we’re staying home, one of the best ways to pass the time is to learn a new skill.

Dim sum recipes only look complicated. My list of the best dim sum recipes will have you fine-tuning your culinary skills with easy-to-follow steps for authentic flavors. Best of all, you can make most of these in big batches and freeze them to enjoy again later. Once all this passes, you’ll be able to impress friends and family with dim sum that tastes better in your kitchen!

1. Char Siu

Stop dreaming of that juicy, sweet-glazed pork at the local Cantonese place. Make it yourself and you can have it any time you desire!

Get the recipe: Char Siu

2. Steamed Char Siu Bao

Once you make your own Chinese BBQ char siu, you can then master these steamed buns. Soft, fluffy bread stuffed with that glorious sweet-glazed pork filling will have you head over heels!

Get the recipe: Steamed Char Siu Bao

3. Chinese Turnip Cake

Flavorful and fun, this is one of the most classic dim sum recipes. Make it for an appetizer tonight and start perfecting it so you can look forward to serving it at a party in better days ahead.

4. Cantonese Wonton Noodle Soup

The Cantonese version of wonton soup is one you’ve simply got to try. Plus, it’s easier to make than you think!

Get the recipe: Cantonese Wonton Noodle Soup

5. Steamed Ribs in Black Bean Sauce

These juicy pork ribs are one of my favorite dim sum recipes! The sauce is so fragrant and savory, you’d better make a bigger batch or you’ll regret not having leftovers.

Get the recipe: Steamed Ribs in Black Bean Sauce

6. Dan Dan Noodles

Surprise your taste buds now, and later on, surprise family in friends by making them this truly authentic and famous Sichuan noodle dish.

Get the recipe: Dan Dan Noodles

7. Pineapple Buns

Just like you find in Asian bakeries, these pineapple buns are a crispy, buttery, fluffy treat that everyone will love. Spoiler alert: they’re not made with pineapples. The name comes from their textured appearance.

8. Chicken Egg Roll

Why wait for delivery? When you make my chicken egg roll dim sum recipe, you’ll get the real deal in Cantonese cuisine. Colorful veggies, fresh chicken, and savory flavors unite for a dim sum delight!

Get the recipe: Chicken Egg Roll

9. Steamed Custard Buns

This classic dim sum recipe will go fast. Make up a big batch of these soft and spongy buns filled with sweet and creamy custard. They freeze well, perfect for later enjoyment. Serve them warm for a melty mouthfeel!

Get the recipe: Steamed Custard Buns

10. Soy Sauce Chicken

Slice this classic dim sum chicken up and serve it cold. With a silky texture and savory flavor, it’s not dim sum without it!

Get the recipe: Soy Sauce Chicken

11. Instant Pot Chinese Sausage Rice

This mostly hands-off recipe comes together in a flash. Your reward are hunks of sweet Chinese sausage mingling with crunchy water chestnuts for a speedy and tasty meal.

Get the recipe: Instant Pot Chinese Sausage Rice

12. Shu Mai

Beautiful and delicious steamed dumplings brimming with a juicy filling of pork and shrimp make a stunning presentation. They’re easier than you think! Make a bunch now and freeze later for when you can share them with everyone!

Get the recipe: Shu Mai

13. Salt and Pepper Shrimp

For shrimp lovers, this easy appetizer gives you a crunchy crispy texture with a garlicky salt and pepper taste that is irresistible.

Get the recipe: Salt and Pepper Shrimp

14. Addictive Kimchi Pork Steamed Bun

Fluffy steamed buns are stuffed with juicy pork and spicy kimchi. And with only 4 ingredients needed to fill it up, you’ll be happy to have it fill YOU up!

Get the recipe: Addictive Kimchi Pork Steamed Bun

15. Eight Treasure Rice

My modern take on this traditional recipe makes for a light and healthy dessert topped with fragrant chrysanthemum syrup for a uniquely special taste.

Get the recipe: Eight Treasure Rice

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FAQs

How do you eat dim sum like a pro? ›

As a sign of respect, always pour tea for your companions first. Always move an item from the communal dish to your own before eating using a serving utensil or the top ends of your chopsticks. Do not eat directly from the steamer basket or shared plate. Dim sum is for sharing!

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What flour is used in dim sum? ›

For making Chinese dim sum all purpose flour or rice flour or tapioca flour along with potato starch is used.

What gets served first at a dim sum meal? ›

Start with tea.

You should be given a pot of tea as soon as you first sit down. Most dim sum restaurants will have a few varieties of tea on hand and will probably get you a different type if you prefer it over their house tea. Check the tea before you pour to make sure it's steeped enough.

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Should dim sum be eaten hot or cold? ›

Dim sum can be sweet or savoury and may be served hot or cold. They can be steamed, baked or fried. Sometimes they are small sandwiches, sometimes dumplings, wraps, spring rolls, or even mini tarts or puddings.

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What is the difference between Chinese dumplings and dim sum? ›

Dumplings are balls of flour filled with a stuffing. Momos are also dumplings that contain some form of filling, be it vegetarian or meat. Dim sums are small snacks in Chinese cuisine that are eaten for lunch. They too have fillings covered with dough, but the dough is semi- or completely transparent.

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What is the difference between dim sum and Dim Sim? ›

A 'Dim Sim' is traditionally made with pork and cabbage wrapped in a delicate pastry skin. It is lightly seasoned and delivers a delicious meaty texture with each bite. 'Dim Sum' is an umbrella term and refers to a whole range of small dishes and parcels served at Yum Cha.

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How many dim sum dishes for 2 people? ›

Typically, when I eat at dim sum it ranges from about $12-$20 per person depending on where you are eating (restaurant and also region) and how many dishes you order. My group of friends and family get about 2-3 dishes per person.

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How to make dim sum without a steamer? ›

If you're cooking from frozen, then use enough water to cover the bottom third of the dumplings. Turn your stove to medium-high heat and cover the pan. Raise the heat on the burner so the water starts to evaporate. As soon as you see steam rising from the water, put the lid on your pan so your dumplings start cooking.

What tea is used in dim sum? ›

Pu erh (or Bo Lei) is the favorite Dim Sum tea for older Chinese. It's an easy choice since good Pu erh tea is delicious and packed with health benefits.

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What kind of flower is used in dim sum? ›

Teas served during dim sum include: Chrysanthemum tea: instead of tea leaves, it is a flower-based tisane (herbal tea) made from flowers of the species Chrysanthemum morifolium or Chrysanthemum indicum, which are the most popular in East Asia.

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What is golden penny flour made of? ›

Mai Kwabo Flour from Golden Penny is a quality flour, made from quality wheat blend, for all purpose baking.

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How do you eat Chinese dim sum? ›

Start with small bites

The flavors are best enjoyed when eaten slowly. More complex dim sum such as Xiao long has to be eaten carefully. Allow the soup to cool down before taking a bite. Try biting the tip and slurping the soup.

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Are dim sum good for weight loss? ›

Many dim sum dishes are calorie dense, and high in fat and sodium, which could be contributors to increased risk of heart disease. That said, some dim sum dishes have hidden calories, fat and sodium, which may not be easily noticed.

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Can one person eat dim sum? ›

I enjoy dim sum with a group, but wouldn't be interested alone or with just one person; the point, to me, is a wide variety of small pieces, if I went by myself, I'd end up only getting two or three items. Because dim sum as a buffet may not be cost effective.

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How many dim sum pieces per person? ›

Typically, a good ratio is 1.5 to 2 orders of dim sum per person. That means for two people, 3 to 4 orders will typically fill us up. However, since you are visiting and might want to try more, get a couple more things. If your focus is on dim sum, do not get a big plate of fried rice.

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The Best Dim Sum Recipes (2024)

1. Char Siu

2. Steamed Char Siu Bao

3. Chinese Turnip Cake

4. Cantonese Wonton Noodle Soup

5. Steamed Ribs in Black Bean Sauce

6. Dan Dan Noodles

7. Pineapple Buns

8. Chicken Egg Roll

9. Steamed Custard Buns

10. Soy Sauce Chicken

11. Instant Pot Chinese Sausage Rice

12. Shu Mai

13. Salt and Pepper Shrimp

14. Addictive Kimchi Pork Steamed Bun

15. Eight Treasure Rice

FAQs

How do you eat dim sum like a pro? ›

What is golden penny flour made of? ›

References