Dim Sum? Some what? If you’ve never had the opportunity to enjoy dim sum, you’re missing out! Small dishes, wheeled on a cart to your table providing you the chance to try a number of dishes? I’m in. Tapas, the Spanish version of small plates have taken the culinary world by storm lately, but long before tapas, there was dim sum: Chinese small plates, shared, that create fun energy and conversation. Dim sum can be enjoyed as lunch, or even dinner, but it’s also a great option for brunch and there’s always something (or in my case many things) for people to enjoy.
At this point, you’re also probably wondering what a post about dim sum has to do with the holidays. Well, I grew up celebrating Christmas on my mom’s side and Hannukah on my dad’s side, the best of both worlds, especially as a kid! My dad always used to vote for Chinese food on Christmas Eve, because that’s what his family did growing up. He always lost the vote to my mom’s lobster stew, a Maine staple, until he visited me in Chicago a few years back. I gave in to going for dim sum, and it was amazing, so now, dim sum and the holidays have a connection for me.
On a recent trip home to New York, I found myself leaving the airport hungry. My dad, always up for a food adventure, suggested Chinese food. Flushing, New York has an active Asian community with Asian bakeries, grocery stores, and restaurants, so we were in luck. We stopped at Lake Pavillion and indulged. The ducks used for Peking Duck were hanging at the entrance and looked so good! We sat down and it started… food coming from every direction!
If it’s your first time having dim sum it can definitely be overwhelming: the sights, the flavors, the noise (it can get loud!). The choices are a virtually endless mix of sweet, savory, vegetables, meats, noodles, dumplings, the list goes on. You can choose to be adventurous with the likes of chicken feet and congee (a rice porridge of sorts), or stick with the more common dumplings. You can go ready to eat a ton, or just a few “snacks”. The great part is, there’s no wrong way. There’s also usually no menu. You simply point at what looks good and they keep track for you. My favorites are the baked bao (they also come steamed) that are filled with barbecued pork or chicken, the chicken siu mei dumplings and the rice noodle rolls.I always end the meal with a coconut bun – sweet, rich, and buttery!
Dim sum is another great way to bring conversation and fun around food. Come find out for yourself how exciting and approachable making dim sum can be in The Chopping Block's Dim Sum Favorites cooking class coming up at our Merchandise Mart location in January.
