Chinese Dim Sum Recipes

Dim sum, which translates to "touch the heart" in Cantonese, is one of the most beloved and communal dining traditions in Chinese culture.

Enjoyed during yum cha (飲茶), the ritual of gathering with family and friends over small shared plates and endless pots of tea, dim sum is as much about the experience as it is about the food.

We've spent years recreating authentic Cantonese dim sum recipes from scratch so you can bring the yum cha experience into your own home.

From delicate steamed dumplings and flaky pastries to jiggly jellies and pillowy buns… every recipe here has been carefully tested to deliver that true Chinese restaurant quality. Whether you're planning a homemade dim sum feast or just want to master one classic at a time, you're in the right place.

Looking for more?

Some dim sum favorites like Pineapple Buns (Bo Lo Bao), Egg Tarts and Steamed BBQ Pork Buns also appear in our Chinese Bakery Recipes collection, because in Cantonese food culture, the two traditions are deliciously inseparable!

Steamed Dumplings & Dim Sum Classics

No dim sum spread is complete without the classics. Master the translucent wrapper of Har Gow (蝦餃) -- the ultimate test of any dim sum chef, or try the ever-popular Cantonese Siu Mai (烧卖) filled with pork and shrimp.

For something more adventurous, the crispy honeycomb-textured Taro Puffs (Wu Gok 芋角) and the chewy, savory Ham Sui Gok (咸水角) are absolute must-tries.

Steamed Buns (Bao)

Pillowy, soft and endlessly satisfying -- steamed buns are the heart of any dim sum table.

Our Steamed BBQ Pork Buns (Char Siu Bao) are a perennial favourite, while the creamy Steamed Custard Buns (Lai Wong Bao) and fragrant Steamed Chinese Sausage Buns (Lap Cheong Bao) are equally irresistible. Don't miss the festive Longevity Peach Buns (壽桃包) -- a beautiful centerpiece for birthdays and special celebrations.

Rice & Noodle Dishes

Some of the most comforting dim sum dishes come in rice and noodle form. Lo Mai Gai (糯米雞): sticky glutinous rice packed with chicken, mushrooms and Chinese sausage, steamed in a lotus leaf is a showstopper worth every minute of effort. The silky smooth Rice Noodle Rolls (Chee Cheong Fun 豬腸粉) and crispy golden Chinese Turnip Cake (Lo Bak Go) are equally beloved classics at the dim sum table.

Dim Sum Desserts & Sweets

Every good dim sum meal ends on a sweet note.

Indulge in the iconic Hong Kong Chinese Egg Tarts, chewy Fried Sesame Balls (Jian Dui), or cool down with delicate Chinese Almond Jelly. For something more indulgent, Hong Kong-Style Mango Cream Pancakes is a crowd-pleaser that always disappears first from the table.

Congee

Congee (or jook 粥 in Cantonese) is the ultimate Chinese comfort food and a staple of the dim sum breakfast table. Silky smooth and endlessly customizable, Century Egg & Pork Congee is a classic that warms from the inside out. Simmered to a velvety consistency, it's the dish that feels like home.

Century Egg & Pork Congee