boon's log 3903.03
A bit about Dim Sum

Wanna guess what photo is this?
It is actually the bottom of the dumpling tray that used to contain Char Siu Bao (Roasted Pork Bun, Cantonese) held upright by another similar tray. Here is a picture of the Char Siu Baos before we consumed them...


Char Siu Bao

Dim Sum actually means "touching the heart" in Cantonese. It is a Chinese cuisine where little Chinese delicacies are being served in small portions; mostly served as breakfast till late breakfast. It is not surprising that this meal can last anything from half an hour to the entire morning.


A variety of Dim Sum; clockwise from left Siu Mai(Chinese steamed pork-filled wonton wrappers), Pai Kuat(Mini Pork Ribs), Kau Choi Gao (Nine vegetable dumpling), Chee Cheong Fun (Ricesheet rolls), Seen Chuk Guen(deep fried bean curd roll filled with pork, shrimp and oyster sauce), and Har Gao (Prawn dumpling)

In Hong Kong, it is said that the elders (Grandfathers and Grandmothers) will first, go for their morning exercise (e.g. Tai Chi, etc.) just before dawn for about an hour or so. Afterwhich, they will head off to the nearest (or the ones that they frequent) Dim Sum restaraunt and book for a table of 10 persons; order a pot of Chinese tea with the day's papers in their hands.


Chinese Tea

By this time, it should be around 7 or 8AM where their sons and daughters will wake up and join them for the morning tea. At around 10AM, which when the grandchildren wakes up, the dads and moms will then fetch the grandchildren down for Dim Sum which will then last until late morning or noon. So, you can see, it is a entire family event... lasting the entire morning. Some may not involve the entire family, but just a hang-out time among the elder folks...


Pear Dumpling - actually made of Yam and pork filling


boon out...