These three restaurants elevate the yum cha tradition (2024)

FAQs

What is the cultural significance of yum cha? ›

In particular,yum cha comes with a formal set of etiquette and customs which emulate cultural values, oralhistories, and social hierarchies. From the distribution of tea to the festive dining ambiance, yumcha provides a collective culinary citizenship and communal space for immigrant communities.

Yum cha generally involves small portions of steamed, pan-fried, or deep-fried dim sum dishes served in bamboo steamers, which are designed to be eaten communally and washed down with hot tea. Traditionally, the elderly gather to eat dim sum after morning exercises.

Literally meaning 'drink tea' in Cantonese, yum cha is as common a meal in Hong Kong as coffee and toast in Western culture, where Chinese tea is enjoyed with dim sum at traditional tea houses.

The word dim sum comes from the Cantonese tim sam, "appetizer," or literally, "touch the heart." Definitions of dim sum. noun. traditional Chinese cuisine; a variety of foods (including several kinds of steamed or fried dumplings) are served successively in small portions.

Many people referenced "yum cha" and I am not sure what this is. My guess is that it is what we in the States call "dim sum". It's where you don't order from a menu, but the restaurant staff push carts around with small plates of finger-type foods and small dishes and you feast on that.

Basically, yum cha is traditionally a social occasion, especially for families and friends as they catch up on news and discuss the week's events and happenings. Yum cha is an activity that is tasty, fresh and usually inexpensive. Nowadays, yum cha is not only served from morning to afternoon tea, but also for dinner.

Prioritise dishes like hum sui kok (deep-fried glutinous rice dumplings), salt 'n' pepper tofu (椒盐豆腐), and lo mai gai (sticky rice in lotus wraps). Hands down, an egg custard tart (蛋撻) paired with any digestion tea is one of the best ways to finish off a yum cha feast.

Avoid anything fried in large quantities of oil: This includes crispy noodles and fried rice. Instead, choose boiled, stirfried or steamed noodles or boiled rice. 3. Steamed greens: Make sure Chinese broccoli and mushrooms are included in your order.

The Chinese restaurant started by brothers Adam Wan and Neil Wan will be the second site in Greater Manchester, after its restaurant at Kampus in the city centre, and the fourth site in the North West, after its sites in Sefton Park, Liverpool, and Time Square, Warrington.

YUM CHA. Malaysians love to drink and they love to do it in groups. The cantonese word, “Yum Cha” that directly translates to “drink tea”, is typically used not just by the Chinese community but the entire nation! Traditionally, the term refers to drinking Chinese tea and eating dim sum.

What tea is served at yum cha? ›

Jasmine Tea

Jasmine tea is a blend of green tea leaves and jasmine flowers, which allows it to be mellowly sweet, yet also wonderfully fragrant. These characteristics make it the perfect accompaniment to any mildly sweet Cantonese desserts at yum cha, such as white sugar sponge cake.

Gongfu tea is best consumed after meal to help digestion. Brewing tea in a Yixing teapot can be done for private enjoyment as well as to welcome guests. Depending on the region of China, there may be differences in the steps of brewing as well as the tools used in the process.

What's the difference between dim sum and yum cha? Yum cha (飲茶) literally means 'to drink tea', whilst dim sum (點心) refers to the small plates of food. In English, if you are to have dim sum or go to yum cha, they are understood to be the same thing.

While its direct translation is to “drink tea,” yum cha is the tradition of a morning to early afternoon meal of tea and small shareable dishes known as dim sum (点心). Yum cha encompasses a long history and tradition of Chinese etiquette, migration, political and socioeconomic shifts, and reunification.

Dim sum means 'touch the heart' in Chinese. The small portions were designed to merely touch the heart not sate the appetite, and as such were first enjoyed as snacks. Over time, however, yum cha has evolved, and the cuisine is now a vital part of Chinese culture.

Yams have deep cultural significance and are seen as symbols of sustenance, fertility, abundance, and prosperity in various traditions. They play a vital role in rituals, ceremonies, and celebrations, fostering social cohesion and strengthening community ties.

In Chinese culture, the chrysanthemum is a symbol of autumn and the flower of the ninth moon. People even drank chrysanthemum wine on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month to prolong their lives during the Han dynasty. It is a symbol of longevity because of its health-giving properties.

Tangyuan – Sweet Rice Balls

It is a ball shape food made by glutinous rice flour. The shape and the pronunciation of tangyuan symbolize being together with your beloved one and family reunion. The lucky saying of eating tangyuan is团团圆圆 (Tuántuán yuányuán/ 'group-group round-round'): Happy (family) reunion!

Food is medicine

To achieve health benefits holistically in traditional Korean foods, Koreans believe that food should be harmonious. Much like Japanese culture, there is a belief in the five elements (earth, water, fire, air and wood) and yin and yang all contributing to the presentation and taste of food.