The Joyful Chaos of Yum Cha: How to Eat Dim Sum Like a Local in Guangzhou
In Guangzhou, the spiritual home of Cantonese culture, breakfast isn't a hurried affair. It's a loud, joyous, multi-hour ritual called yum cha (literally, "drinking tea"). It involves gathering with family and friends in a massive, bustling teahouse and sharing an endless parade of delicious little dishes, known as dim sum, that arrive in steaming bamboo baskets.
Don't be intimidated by the joyful chaos. The atmosphere is part of the fun. You’ll be seated at a large table, and the ordering is simple: you’re given a paper menu and a pencil to tick off your choices. Soon, the magic arrives. Translucent, shrimp-filled dumplings (har gow), savory pork and mushroom shumai (siu mai), fluffy steamed BBQ pork buns (char siu bao), and crispy fried spring rolls. The rule is to order a variety of dishes, share everything, and keep the tea flowing.
Insider Tip:
When you first sit down, you’ll be given a large bowl along with your small teacup and eating bowl. This is for a traditional cleansing ritual. Pour hot tea from the pot into your teacup and bowl, swish it around to rinse them, and then pour the rinse-water into the large communal bowl. It's a local custom that shows you know what you're doing.
