Guangzhou/Canton Dim Sum

No trip in Guangzhou would be complete without trying dim sum.

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"

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.