The DIM SUM Pocket Guide

Speaking of Dim Sum, I have this neat little pocket guide (Dim Sum Pocket Guide by Kit Shan Li, Chronicle Books, 2004)that is small enough to stick in a purse or pocket and can guide you through about 46 common Cantonese dim sum. They are categorized by how they are cooked - steamed, deep-fried, pan-fried, congee and desserts. There's a clear photograph of each type of dim sum accompanied with Chinese characters, Cantonese pronunciation, English name and short description of the dim sum. The author also starts the book with short chapters on how to order dim sum, use chopsticks, the different teas, and a glossary of some unusual ingredients you'll encounter.

Many Cantonese dim sum restaurants still have the push carts where the server will bring the various dim sum right to your table and you can peek under the bamboo steamer lids and see what you might like to order. Some restaurants have abandoned the carts and list the dim sum on a menu instead. I prefer the push carts because you get to see everything before you order. Either way, you'll find this little handbook very helpful.

Some of my favorite dim sum are the chicken feet, euphemistically called Phoenix Claws in the Chinese; steamed spare rib nuggets; shrimp dumplings wrapped in rice flour skins ( ha gao); barbecued pork buns called cha siu bao; sweet sesame balls - glutinous rice flour balls filled with lotus seed or red bean paste and rolled in sesame seeds before being deep-fried; and tofu pudding (dao fu fa), a very soft, silky tofu served warm with a sweet ginger syrup. YUM!

Cantonese dim sum, sometimes also called "yum cha", is very famous and enjoyed by all Chinese. The busiest time is on the weekends when whole families along with friends gather together to savor the large variety of textures, tastes and flavors. It's always so exciting and fun to be in what the Chinese call a "hot and noisy" environment enjoying food.

So, gather your family and friends together and look for a dim sum restaurant near you. Armed with this little guide book, you'll find yourself to be an old Chinese hand!