Why Dim sum should be on our priority dineout list

A traditional dish from the Cantonese region of China, dim sum is typically eaten in breakfast or lunch. In India, its close cousin Momo might be looked as an evening snack or a kind of street food, but dim sums are a serious fare.

As per historical records, the popularity of dim sums goes back to the 10th century AD when Canton or Guangzhou began to experience an influx of traders. This gave rise to customised meals in tea houses and dim sum was one of them. The word dim sum means "touching heart" and during that time referred to small compact meal portions that accompanied tea. Traditionally dim sums included locally available ingredients wrapped and served as dainty portions. Here are some interesting facts about them that will bowl you over:

1. Traditionally dim sums were served with tea and this practice gradually led to the evolution of yum cha or Chinese brunches.
2. There are over thousand types of dim sums available today.
3. Although dim sum is originally considered Cantonese, it is not without several influences. Suzhou and Hangzhou are believed to have influenced the vegetarian soy skin rolls and pearl meatballs.
4. Beijing desserts are believed to have influenced the square desserts and pot stickers and steamed dumplings have Muslim influences. Dim sums can be complete meals in themselves.
5. A traditional dim sum brunch includes steamed buns, such as cha siu bao, rice or wheat dumplings, and rice noodle rolls that contain a range of ingredients, including beef, chicken, pork, prawns and vegetarian options.

Har Gow - It is a streamed shrimp dumpling, can also use chicken.

Xiao Long Bao – A steamed meat and vegetable dumpling, basically a bao bread with a filling.

Lo Mai Gai – It is sticky rice wrapped in lotus leaf and is typically said to fuel the digestive fires.

Cha Siu Bao – It is traditionally a pork bun

Shao Mai –These are steam dumplings with pork, shrimp, chicken or both of them

Taro Dumpling – Mashed taro, mushroom, shrimp and pork are the main fillings. (Image: istock)

If you don't know-even Spring roll is a type of dim sum and so is Rice Noodle Roll, Pineapple Bun, Taro Cake, Steamed Meatball, Egg Custard Tarts and Prawn Toast.

Chef Vivek Rana, Executive Chef at The Claridge's Hotels and Resorts has curated an extensive dim sum menu wherein in this unique festival of this versatile dish, at the Pan-Asian restaurant Jade, they are serving more than 40 variations of dim sums. The meal is served over several courses and is an ideal opportunity to also get acquainted with some of the most unique varieties. "It is a painstaking task, to arrive at that kind of perfection", says Chef Vivek. "For example to give a truffle like texture to a bao, I need to use cocoa powder in a way, it gives that çlose truffle feel when the dough is steamed. Similarly to add a crusty exterior to a dim sum, the batter needs to be added only at a certain temperature, " he adds.

At The Claridge's, some of the unique dim sums include-Chicken and Chives Hargao, Crystal Chicken Dim sum, steamed to perfection, Lettuce Wrapped Prawns that are soft and juicy, Pok Choy Wrapped Chicken which has a crunchy exterior and aromatic interior, Chicken and Asparagus Sui Mai- with a quintessentially herby aftertaste, Sesame Prawn on toast with a crust loaded witg crunchy Sesame seeds, Mushroom and Water Chestnut bao that you are sure to mistake for a real truffle and Lotus Leaf Lo Ma Gai which is basically chicken filled lotus leaf. The Sticky Date Pudding and Fried Custard Bun that look like boiled eggs is a delicious optical illusion.

Chef Rana, who is a master craftsman when it comes to Pan-Asian cuisine has created some of the best varieties available across the globe.

Having a dim sum while dining out is the best bet for health conscious people. They are not just loaded with herbs, meats, spices and vegetables but are also light on oil and condiments and serve as a healthy and filling meal. Choosing a steamed dim sum or a delicious dim sum soup can be the most amazing guilt free indulgence while eating in a restaurant. (Image: istock)