Dim Sum is one of the greatest pleasures in Chinese cuisine, is probably the most often enjoyed culinary fare and offers an endless assortment and variation of dish choices. Traditionally, Chinese housewives would serve tiny, steamed dumplings as breakfast to the husband or houseguests. They said these dumplings were made with great love and care for the husband, visitors or for restaurant patrons and they called these dumplings "Dim Sum" (which means 'touch the heart' in Cantonese).

No trip there would be complete without trying dim sum. Dishes come in small portions and may include meat, seafood, and vegetables, as well as desserts and fruit. The items are usually served in a small steamer basket or on a small plate. Steamed pork buns, shrimp dumplings, beef balls and pan-fried squid with spicy salt are just some of the local favorites. There is no ordering; instead you choose from a wide assortment of snacks that the waiters bring out on carts and trays.

The best way to enjoy dim sum is with a large group, otherwise you will fill up on a few items and miss the opportunity to sample everything. It is a great way to sample a large variety of tastes and flavors without feeling overly full.

Today, dim sum is served throughout China, particularly in Shanghai. Here you can enjoy regional variations in "small eats": dumplings in Beijing or pearl balls and spicy wontons in Sichuan. However, the best dim sum can be found in Canton, with its wide assortment of sweet and savory dishes ranging from meatballs to sweet cakes.