The Ultimate Dim Sum Menu Guide

Are you headed to the dim sum restaurant? This is your complete guide to help you have a great meal with your friends and family.

The sort of dim sum served in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia originated in Hong Kong during the 1950s. The vast restaurants filled with rolling carts and a cacophony of voices so familiar to diners in the West take their inspiration from Hong Kong dim sum parlors where families gathered regularly to drink tea, play mahjong and catch up with friends.

You’re very likely to find all of the dim sum selections pictured below at the restaurant you’ve chosen. These are the traditional dishes that originated from Guangdong Province, timeless favorites with plenty of options for both newcomers and regulars alike.

This menu guide is divided into sections for steamed items, fried and baked offerings, noodles and other specialties and desserts. Each entry includes a picture to help you identify the dish, a detailed description, the pronunciation in Cantonese, the Chinese characters for the English name and a link to additional information.

Bookmark this page on your smartphone, then take advantage of these other resources we’ve designed to enhance your meal:

We hope this guide helps you enjoy a delicious dim sum meal with your friends or family! Comment below with any questions.

Steamed Dishes

Fried & Baked Dishes

Noodles & Special Dishes

Dessert Dishes

Fried Sesame Balls Description: Fried dough covered with sesame seeds and filled with a sweet red bean paste.

Translation: Djeen Dui



More about Fried Sesame Balls >>

HT: Photo by Passion Dim Sum.