One of the traditional Chinese dishes, if not the most popular, are the dim sum, consisting of a variety of fillings, steamed dishes, and other goodies. They are similar to the appetizers, the hot and cold dishes served in French restaurants.
Originally, Cantonese dim sum is closely linked to the Chinese tradition of "Yum cha" or drink tea. It is said that the tea houses grew to accommodate the weary travelers who traveled along the famous Silk Road.
Similarly, the peasants, tired after long hours of work in the fields, frequently visited the local tea house to enjoy it in a relaxing conversation.
However, it took several centuries for dim sum to develop. At one time it was considered appropriate to combine tea with food since it was discovered that this infusion helps in digestion for which it became known and where tea house owners began to add a variety of snacks, and the tradition of dim sum was born. .
Today, dim sum is served all over China, especially Guangzhou, with its wide variety of sweet and savory dishes ranging from dumplings to sweet cakes. However, it is probably true that the best Cantonese dim sum chefs are not to be found in China but in Hong Kong, where restaurants start serving dim sum from 6am and continue until mid-afternoon.
And what types of foods are served in a typical dim sum lunch? Many of the dishes are either steamed or fried, highlighting the steamed buns with roast pork and those wonderful shrimp dumplings with translucent skin.