Dim sum is a Cantonese cuisine consisting of bite-sized portions of steamed, fried, or baked dishes, typically served in small bamboo baskets or plates. It’s a popular Chinese brunchtime meal that originated from the tea houses of the Guangdong province.
Each dish is crafted with unique flavors, textures, and fillings, making it both an exciting (and delicious!) culinary experience.
If you’re a dim sum lover, why not try making your own at home? Not only will it save you money, but it’s a whole lot of fun. Plus, you can personalize the dishes to your liking, and your friends and family will be impressed with your culinary skills.
Not sure where to start? We’ve got you covered. In this post, we’ll give you 25 different dim sum recipes to try – they’re easier to make than you might think. Let’s get started!
1. Chinese Dumpling Potstickers
Let’s start with the Chinese Dumpling Potstickers. These delicious bites are not only simple to make but also a homemade take on one of your favorite takeout foosd.
Stuffed with a flavorful mixture of 100% pork and vegetables, you can enjoy them steamed, pan-fried, or boiled for a wonton soup. They’re perfect for any occasion, from game nights to family dinners.
2. Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad
If you love Din Tai Fung, then you’ll adore the Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad! This copycat recipe from the popular restaurant features fresh, crisp cucumbers that get a flavorful twist with a salty, sour dressing with just the right amount of spice. This is an easy appetizer or side dish to your Asian favorites.
And trust us when we say, it tastes just as good as the original!
3. Shumai
Now let’s talk about Shumai, the steamed pork dumplings that are a perennial favorite at dim sum. In this step-by-step shumai recipe, you’ll learn how to prepare and wrap shumai.
These delicious bites are made with a mixture of ground pork, shiitake mushrooms, scallions, and other secret ingredients that make them irresistible. They’re perfect for dim sum brunch or as a snack at any time of the day.
4. Shrimp and Chive Dumplings
These too-perfect dumplings filled with shrimp and chives are a quick fix when you need dumplings – and fast. They’re great for when you’re craving something hearty but don’t want to spend hours sweating it out in the kitchen. They’re quick, luscious, and perfect as a main dish or as an appetizer.
5. Cheung Fun Steamed Rice Noodle Rolls
Cheung Fun, also known as steamed rice noodle rolls, is a dim sum favorite that is often served with soy sauce or peanut sauce.
This popular dish features rice noodles rolled around a filling of shrimp or char siu pork. The rolls are steamed until cooked and then served with your favorite dipping sauce (exciting news – we have a great sauce recipe for you below!).
6. Shrimp Shumai
Shrimp Shumai is a popular and delicious dim sum recipe that is easy to make at home. It is made of a filling mixture of fresh shrimp, garlic, ginger, lemongrass, and soy sauce, wrapped in square wonton wrappers. The dumplings are steamed until cooked and then served hot with a side of soy sauce for dipping.
Shrimp Shumai is an excellent option for a quick and easy dish to impress your guests.
7. Fried Shrimp Wontons
These crispy wontons filled with shrimp are a popular dim sum item found in many Chinese restaurants. But did you know that you can make them at home with this easy recipe?
All you need is some wonton wrappers and shrimp, and you’re good to go. These wontons are perfect as an appetizer or as a snack and you can start with store bought wrappers if you want to make your life a little easier!
8. Har Gow
Har Gow, also known as crystal prawn dumplings, is another popular dim sum item that you can easily make at home. These juicy dumplings are filled with prawns and bamboo shoots and are simply divine.
The key to making perfect har gow is to use wheat starch and tapioca starch to achieve the right texture.
9. Sesame Balls
If you’ve ever had Chinese fried sesame balls, you know how delicious they can be. These balls are crispy on the outside and filled with either lotus or red bean paste on the inside.
While they may look intimidating, they are actually easy to make with this authentic recipe. Impress your friends and family with these delicious Sesame Balls as a dessert or an afternoon snack.
10. Easy Chinese Egg Tarts
Hands down, egg tarts are some of the most delectable desserts you can find in dim sum restaurants. These egg tarts are flaky on the outside and silky smooth on the inside.
The recipe includes a combination of eggs, evaporated milk, coconut flour, and sugar baked in a puff pastry. It’s a simple and classic recipe that will leave your guests asking for more. These little sweet treats are also perfect for celebrating Chinese New Year or any other special occasion.
11. Steamed Chicken Buns
A dim sum staple and a must-try if you’re looking to impress your guests. These soft and fluffy baozi are filled with tender, juicy chicken and a variety of spices and flavors like ginger, garlic, and soy sauce.
The best part about this recipe is that you can make the dough and filling ahead of time, so all you have to do is steam them before serving. Your guests will be impressed with your culinary skills when they bite into these delicious buns.
12. Shrimp Rice Noodle Rolls
A personal favorite of many dim sum lovers, these rice noodle rolls or cheung fun are filled with succulent shrimp and are perfect for those who love a little bit of spice. This recipe includes a simple, yet tasty sauce made of soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and chili oil.
The key to making perfect rice noodle rolls? Spread the batter thinly on a plate and steam them for a few minutes to create a soft and chewy texture. These rolls are an excellent snack or even a light meal that is sure to satisfy your cravings!
13. Chinese Dumpling Dipping Sauce
Though admittedly not a meal on its own, this sauce is the perfect accompaniment to any dim sum dish, but it’s especially delicious with wontons. Made with soy sauce, rice vinegar, and toasted sesame oil, this sauce has a hint of tangy sweetness and nuttiness that will take your dumpling game to the next level.
14. Sweet Custard Steamed Buns
If you’re a fan of sweet bread, then you’ll love these steamed custard buns. They’re filled with a light and sweet custard that’s the perfect balance of decadence and subtlety. The soft and fluffy texture of the buns is something that you won’t be able to resist sinking your teeth into!
15. Gua Bao
These steamed buns are a dim sum classic, with braised pork belly stuffed into fluffy bao buns for a tasty traditional treat. The pork belly is slow-cooked for hours until it’s melt-in-your-mouth tender, then sliced thin and drizzled with hoisin sauce for a slightly sweet and savory taste.
16. Beancurd Skin Roll
These rolls are a lovely dim sum dish with a shrimp and pork stuffing wrapped in beancurd skin.
While it may not be as famous as other dim sum staples, it’s definitely worth a try. The crispy exterior of the beancurd skin pairs perfectly with the juicy filling, making these rolls a crowd-pleaser.
17. Ham Sui Gok
These golden, deep-fried glutinous rice balls are filled with savory ingredients, and they’re a must-have at any dim sum feast. While it might seem intimidating to try and replicate them at home, they’re actually quite easy to make.
This version of the recipe swaps out the dried shrimp, chives, and jicama for fungus, scallions, and onion, making for a mouth-watering treat. Trust us, once you’ve mastered the art of making ham sui gok, you’ll be making them all the time.
18. Steamed Vegetable Buns
Vegetarians and vegans rejoice! Steamed vegetable buns are a delicious and hearty option that everyone can enjoy.
This recipe is 100% vegan and features a filling of mushrooms, water chestnuts, and carrots. The dough is fluffy and soft, perfect for encasing the savory filling. With this recipe, you won’t miss the traditional pork-filled buns at all.
19. Char Siu
This juicy, flavorful pork with a sweet glossy glaze is a staple at any Cantonese restaurant. And now, you can make it in the comfort of your own kitchen with this easy-to-follow recipe. Whether you’re making it for a weeknight dinner or for a party, this Char Siu will not disappoint.
20. Chinese Steamed Spareribs With Black Bean
Next up is the Dim Sum Style Chinese Steamed Spareribs with Black Bean. This dish is super easy to make at home and is the perfect weekend brunch idea. The tender pork paired with the salty, umami flavor of black bean sauce is a match made in heaven. Trust us, your guests will be asking for seconds, so be sure to make enough!
21. Steamed Chicken Dumplings
No dim sum feast is complete without some savory dumplings. That’s why we had to include our Steamed Chicken Dumpling recipe. Making these from scratch may seem daunting, but with our tips and tricks, you’ll be a dumpling-making-pro in no time.
Say goodbye to the store-bought dumplings and hello to the succulent, flavorful homemade version.
22. Turnip Cake
Last but not least, we have the savory Turnip Cake, made with daikon and flavored with dried shrimp, dried scallops, and Chinese sausage. This dim sum classic is surprisingly easy to make at home and will surely impress your guests.
Perfectly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, this Turnip Cake is irresistible.
23. Hong Kong Mango Pancake
This delightful dessert features a delicate crepe filled with fluffy cream and sweet, juicy mango. But what really sets this recipe apart is the secret ingredient that takes it to the next level. We won’t give away too much, but let’s just say that you won’t regret giving this recipe a try.
24. Fried Glutinous Rice Dumplings
If savory is more your style, then you’ll love our Fried Glutinous Rice Dumplings recipe. These dumplings are filled with a delicious mix of pork, shrimp, mushrooms, and more. The outer layer is made with glutinous rice flour, giving it a chewy texture that is so satisfying.
These dumplings are perfect as an appetizer or even a main course.
25. Hong Kong Style Mango Pudding
Last but not least, we have the Hong Kong Style Mango Pudding. If you’re a mango lover, then this final dessert is a must-try. It’s loaded with sweet, ripe mango that is both luscious and fruity.
And the best part? It’s gluten-free! This pudding is so easy to make and is sure to impress your guests.
