The Most Popular Dim Sum, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the Dim Sum you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 2, 2024 06:34
In a bustling city filled with the aroma of steamed treats and fried delicacies, a group of friends gather every weekend for a delightful ritual: Dim Sum. Each person has a fiercely defended favorite, leading to lively debates and laughter around the table. Yet outside their circle, hundreds more share a love for these bite-sized joys, each with their own opinions and preferences.
This unique gathering of diverse appetites thus creates a natural curiosity: which selections stand out as crowd favorites? By casting votes for beloved Dim Sum, food enthusiasts not only showcase their top picks but also help guide newcomers eager to dive into the rich tapestry of flavors. The ever-changing leaderboard reflects a collective culinary journey, inviting all to shape and engage with a broader food-loving community.
What Is the Most Popular Dim Sum?
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167votesShumai is a steamed dumpling filled with pork, shrimp, and sometimes mushrooms. It is one of the most popular dim sum dishes and is often considered a classic.Shumai, also known as Shao Mai, is a popular Chinese dumpling that originated in the Guangdong province of China. It is a bite-sized, open-faced dumpling filled with a mixture of ground pork, shrimp, or other meats, and various seasonings. The filling is typically wrapped in a thin and slightly translucent wheat dough, shaped like a cup, and topped with a garnish such as a small shrimp or diced vegetables. Shumai is steamed to perfection, resulting in a tender and juicy dumpling. It is often enjoyed as part of a dim sum feast or as a snack in Chinese cuisine.
- Filling: Ground pork, shrimp, or other meats
- Dough: Thin, slightly translucent wheat dough
- Shape: Open-faced cup shape
- Garnish: Small shrimp or diced vegetables
- Cooking method: Steamed
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244votes
Har Gow
Li JinyuanHar Gow is also known as shrimp dumplings, these are steamed dumplings filled with shrimp and bamboo shoots. They are delicate and flavorful, and are a staple in many dim sum menus.Har Gow is a popular Chinese Dim Sum dish known for its delicate and translucent dumpling skin filled with juicy shrimp. It is a traditional Cantonese specialty enjoyed by many. The creator of Har Gow is said to be Guangdong-based Teochew chef Li Jinyuan, who invented the dish during the early 20th century.- Dumpling Skin: Thin and translucent
- Filling: Fresh and juicy shrimp
- Shape: Elegant and pleated
- Size: Typically small, bite-sized
- Texture: Soft and slightly chewy
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35votes
Takeaway · CC BY-SA 3.0Char Siu Bao
Cantonese cuisineChar Siu Bao is a steamed bun filled with barbecued pork. The sweet and savory filling is wrapped in a soft, fluffy bun and is a favorite among meat lovers.Char Siu Bao, also known as BBQ pork buns, is a popular dim sum dish originating from Cantonese cuisine. It consists of a fluffy and slightly sweet steamed bun filled with savory barbecued pork. The bun is soft and slightly sticky, while the filling is rich in flavor with a hint of sweetness. The combination of the soft bun and flavorful pork makes it a delightful and satisfying treat.- Origin: Cantonese cuisine
- Primary ingredient: Barbecued pork
- Bun texture: Soft and fluffy
- Bun sweetness: Slightly sweet
- Steaming method: Steamed
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421votesSiu Mai is a type of Chinese dumpling traditionally filled with pork and shrimp. These steamed dumplings are often served with soy sauce or chili sauce, and are a popular dim sum dish.Siu Mai is a traditional Cantonese style dim sum that consists of small steamed dumplings filled with a mixture of minced pork, shrimp, and other ingredients. The dumplings are typically wrapped in yellow-colored dough and topped with a small piece of fish roe or crab roe. Siu Mai is a delicious and savory bite-sized snack that is often served in bamboo steamers.
- Origin: Cantonese cuisine
- Ingredients: Minced pork, shrimp, yellow-colored dough, fish roe or crab roe
- Cooking Method: Steamed
- Shape: Irregular cylindrical shape
- Texture: Soft and tender with a slight chewiness
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522votes
Cheong Fun
Cantonese chefsCheong Fun is a type of steamed rice noodle roll filled with ingredients such as shrimp, beef, or vegetables. It is often served with soy sauce or hoisin sauce, and is a staple in many dim sum restaurants.Cheong Fun is a traditional Cantonese dim sum dish that consists of delicate rice noodle rolls filled with various ingredients. The noodle rolls are steamed until soft and translucent, creating a smooth and slippery texture.- Origin: Cantonese cuisine
- Main Ingredients: Rice flour, water, fillings (e.g., shrimp, beef, vegetables)
- Cooking Method: Steamed
- Shape: Rectangular or cylindrical rice noodle rolls
- Texture: Soft, smooth, and slightly chewy
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612votes
Homkinsming · CC BY-SA 3.0Egg Tart is a pastry filled with a rich egg custard. It is a popular dessert in Chinese cuisine and is often served at dim sum restaurants.Egg Tart is a popular dessert in Asia, particularly in countries like China, Hong Kong, and Macau. It is a small pastry tart filled with a smooth and creamy egg custard. The crust is typically buttery and flaky, offering a delightful contrast to the rich filling. The Egg Tart is often served warm or at room temperature.- Size: Small bite-sized tart
- Crust: Buttery and flaky
- Filling: Smooth and creamy egg custard
- Temperature: Often served warm or at room temperature
- Origin: China, Hong Kong, Macau
Egg Tart in other rankings- Position 8 of 10 in Most popular dessert in Asia
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713votes
N509FZ · CC BY-SA 4.0Turnip Cake is a savory cake made from shredded turnip and rice flour. It is often served pan-fried and topped with soy sauce or chili sauce.Turnip Cake, also known as radish cake, is a traditional Chinese dish commonly found in dim sum restaurants. It is made from shredded radish (white turnip), rice flour, and various seasoning ingredients. The mixture is steamed and then pan-fried to create a golden-brown crust. The resulting cake has a soft and tender texture with a slightly crispy exterior.- Main Ingredients: Shredded radish, rice flour
- Seasoning Ingredients: Dried shrimp, Chinese sausage, mushrooms, scallions
- Cooking Method: Steamed and pan-fried
- Texture: Soft and tender with a crispy exterior
- Flavor: Savory and slightly sweet
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87votesFried Wontons is a crispy fried dumpling filled with ground pork and vegetables. It is often served with sweet and sour sauce or soy sauce.Fried Wontons are a popular type of Dim Sum dish that originated in China. They are made by stuffing a small square piece of wonton wrapper with a filling of ground meat, usually pork, along with various seasonings and ingredients. The filled wontons are then deep-fried until they turn golden brown and crispy. The result is a delicious appetizer that is crispy on the outside and flavorful on the inside.
- Wrapper: Wonton wrapper made from wheat flour
- Filling: Ground meat, often pork
- Seasonings: Various spices and herbs, such as soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and green onions
- Texture: Crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside
- Shape: Small square or triangular shape
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98votesSteamed BBQ Pork Buns is a steamed bun filled with barbecued pork. The filling is often sweet and savory, and the soft, fluffy bun is a perfect complement to the meat.Steamed BBQ Pork Buns, also known as Char Siu Bao, are a classic and popular type of dim sum. They consist of soft, fluffy steamed buns filled with savory and tender BBQ pork. The buns are slightly sweet, and the filling is seasoned with a delicious combination of soy sauce, oyster sauce, honey, hoisin sauce, and other spices. When steamed, the buns become moist and delectable, creating a perfect balance of flavors and textures.
- Type: Dim Sum
- Main ingredient: BBQ pork
- Texture: Soft and fluffy bun with tender pork filling
- Flavor: Slightly sweet and savory
- Seasonings: Soy sauce, oyster sauce, honey, hoisin sauce
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104votes
Fried Shrimp Balls
Chinese culinary traditionFried Shrimp Balls is a crispy fried ball filled with ground shrimp and sometimes pork. It is often served with sweet and sour sauce or soy sauce.Fried Shrimp Balls are a popular dim sum dish that originated in China. They are made by blending minced shrimp with various seasonings and ingredients, shaping them into small balls, and then deep-frying until golden and crispy on the outside. The filling is flavorful, juicy, and has a slightly springy texture. The dish is often served with a dipping sauce such as sweet and sour sauce or chili sauce.- Main Ingredients: Shrimp, seasonings (such as ginger, garlic, and green onions), flour, and cornstarch
- Cooking Method: Deep-frying
- Texture: Crispy on the outside, juicy and slightly springy on the inside
- Flavor: Savory, shrimp-forward with hints of garlic and ginger
- Shape: Small round balls
Missing your favorite Dim Sum?
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Discussion
Ranking factors for popular Dim Sum
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PresentationThe presentation of a dish is important in making it visually appealing and enhancing the overall dining experience. Dim Sum dishes should be neatly arranged and aesthetically pleasing.
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Traditional vs. modernDim Sum dishes come in different forms, some being traditional and authentic while others have been modernized and reinvented. It's essential to consider the popularity and preference of traditional versus modern dishes.
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IngredientsThe choice and quality of ingredients used in a dish will significantly impact its popularity. Fresh, high-quality ingredients and unique combinations of flavors will make a Dim Sum dish more popular.
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VersatilityDim Sum dishes that offer multiple options, such as vegetarian, seafood, or meat-based choices, can cater to a broader audience and increase their popularity.
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TextureThe texture of a dish is essential in enhancing the overall experience. Dim Sum dishes with unique and pleasing textures will likely be more popular.
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Reviews and ratingsChecking customer reviews, ratings, and recommendations can help gauge the popularity of different Dim Sum dishes.
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AvailabilitySome Dim Sum dishes may be more popular because they are widely available, while others are less common and therefore more highly sought after.
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Cultural significanceSome Dim Sum dishes hold cultural significance and are well-known for their historical or symbolic importance. These dishes may have a higher ranking due to their cultural value.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular Dim Sum. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Dim Sum is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2369 views
- 202 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Dim Sum once every 24 hours. The rank of each Dim Sum is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular dim sum
Dim Sum is a popular Chinese cuisine that originated in the Guangdong province of China. It is a type of small plate meal, consisting of a variety of bite-sized dishes served in bamboo baskets or on small plates. Dim Sum is traditionally enjoyed as a brunch or lunchtime meal and is often accompanied by tea. The dishes served can range from savory to sweet and can include dumplings, steamed buns, rice rolls, and desserts. Dim Sum has become increasingly popular around the world, with many restaurants offering their own unique twists on the traditional dishes. With so many options to choose from, it's no wonder that Dim Sum is a beloved cuisine among foodies worldwide.
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