"har gow, siumai, char siu bao”

When I think of Dim Sum, these three dishes will come to mind instantly. 

Dim sum literally means “to touch your heart” and is usually associated with the Chinese tradition of "yum cha" or drinking tea (the art of tea tasting). Sipping tea and feasting on the countless variety of delicacies are what "yum cha" is all about. 

Dim Sum is served during “yum cha” This unique culinary experience started with the Cantonese in southern China, who over the centuries transformed "yum cha" from a relaxing respite to a loud and happy eating experience. In Hong Kong, and in most cities in Guangdong province, restaurants start serving dim sum as early as six in the morning until mid-afternoon.

My early experiences and memories about Dim Sum were definitely with my family. Like a lot of southern Chinese families, "yum cha" was treated as a weekend family day. I was always required by my mother to wear a dress. You would think most girls would love to do that, but not me. With me being a tomboy, other than obeying my mother, it was always the variety of dumplings, steamed and fried dishes in front of me that made me put on a dress. It was truly a treat to someone who loves food above anything in this world (during my childhood), and I really mean anything, even my pencil crayons. 

Now, my pencil crayons definitely come before any kind of food. My craving for Dim Sum can be satisfied by illustrating them through my artwork. This series of Stamp Art are to share with everyone about the culinary experience of Dim Sum.

Colourful pencil crayons and stamps allow me to be on the bright side. 

June 2, 2015

Stamp Art - Dim Sum

During the late 50’s, some restaurants would accommodate bird fanciers gathering
by providing them with bamboo poles on which to hang their bird cages covered with white cloth while they enjoyed dim sum and a strong pot of Chinese tea,”Pu-erh tea, Oolong tea and Shoumei tea were the most common request. On Sundays and holidays, cage-carriers will arrived as early as opening time at 5:00 a.m. to reserve a favourite spot at the window. By 7 a.m., the room became a full house of bird fanciers and
birds chirping. It was quite an unique tradition.

Lifting the lid of a teapot is a polite way to ask for your pot to be refilled. Har gow, Siumai are most common dim sum dishes. For most people, they loved to read the morning post with a good pot of strong tea.

Traditional dim sum includes a great variety of steam bun like char sou bao, fried spring roll and my husband’s favourite dessert, egg tart. He always finished his dim sum brunch with an egg tart and a good sip of Pu-erh tea.

“yum cha” and "dim sum” are great tradition to carry on. "har gow, siumai, char siu bao” will always be first to come in mind.