Skip the long restaurant lines and get your steamers ready for a homemade feast that tastes better than takeout. These iconic bite-sized dishes are surprisingly doable and packed with that savory umami flavor we all crave on a weekend morning.
1. Chinese Steamed BBQ Pork Buns (Char Siu Bao)
These iconic steamed buns are a must for any dim sum spread. They feature a sweet and fluffy yeast bread that surrounds a decadent barbecued pork filling.
It feels like eating a mini Asian sandwich that melts in your mouth. You will definitely want more than just one of these babies.
2. Sichuan Spicy Wonton in Red Oil
You can give the classic wonton a fiery kick with this Sichuan recipe. This is a total must for anyone who loves spicy food.
The sauce combines chili oil, soy sauce, vinegar, ginger, and onions for a medley of flavors rather than just pure heat.
3. Vegetable and Pork Spring Rolls
Chun juan are spring rolls packed with ground meat and minced veggies. These treats are deep fried until they reach a golden hue.
They are ridiculously addictive and impossible to stop eating once you start.
4. Homemade Cheung Fun (Steamed Rice Noodle Rolls) – 5 Ways
Eating these steamed rice noodle rolls is truly a unique experience. You can customize them with various fillings ranging from crullers to shrimp and pork barbecue.
This guide teaches you how to create perfect rice noodles to stuff with whatever your heart desires.
5. Dim Sum Turnip Cake (Lo Bak Go)
Turnip cake is a staple found in many Chinese restaurants. It is an umami packed dish containing scallops, shrimp, shiitake mushrooms, and Chinese sausage.
The texture is the most exciting part as it is bouncy yet tender with lovely contrasts.
6. Bok Choy Dim Sum
Bok choy is hard to beat if you want something light amidst carb heavy buns. It is super healthy and colorful.
This dish provides a fresh change of pace for a table crowded with spring rolls and dumplings.
7. Sesame Balls
These sesame balls are chewy and crunchy with a sweet center waiting inside. You can try a wide variety of fillings.
I personally love the traditional red bean paste or lotus paste offered in this recipe.
8. Chinese Paper-Wrapped Chicken
This dish features yummy chicken wrapped in parchment and deep fried until tender. You tear up the paper to reveal the fragrant treasure hiding inside.
The cooking method steams the meat in its own juices to make it insanely moist.
9. Ma Lai Go Chinese Steamed Cake
Mai Lai Go is a special steamed cake from Malaysia known for its fluffiness. Usually this texture requires a labor intensive starter dough.
This recipe saves you the trouble by using baking powder instead of yeast.
10. Shanghai Style Vegetarian Steamed Buns
These buns are exactly what you need if you are craving Chinese buns but want a vegetarian option. The filling includes bok choy and shiitake mushrooms seasoned with sugar, sesame oil, and soy sauce.
Even meat lovers will want to take a bite.
11. Sticky Rice with Chinese Sausage
It is hard to pick which component I love more between the sweet and savory Chinese sausage and the sticky rice. This dish is loaded with unique textures.
It is also effortless to recreate at home.
12. Chinese Steamed Spare Ribs with Black Beans
No trip to Chinatown feels complete without ordering some spare ribs. These steamed pork bites are coated in a sumptuous black bean sauce and melt in your mouth.
The sauce is robust with red wine, soy sauce, and red pepper flakes but remains balanced enough for kids.
13. Easy Chinese Egg Tarts
These yummy Chinese egg tarts are perfect if you fancy something sweet with your tea. They feel like a cross between Portuguese custard tarts and British custard tarts.
The short pastry is light and holds a creamy delicious filling.
14. Dim Sum Sticky Rice Lotus Leaf Wraps (Lo Mai Gai)
Lo Mai Gai features glutinous rice with mushrooms, chicken, and vegetables wrapped in fragrant lotus leaves. This recipe does take a while to make.
I suggest you triple the batch since it freezes well.
15. Har Gow (Shrimp Dumplings)
Har gow is a popular translucent dumpling filled with plump shrimp. These are simply too good to resist.
Trust me when I say you should make a double batch.
16. Chinese Steamed Chicken Buns
These fluffy steamed buns are filled with a delectable vegetable and chicken stuffing. They sound super comforting and taste just as scrumptious as char siu buns.
The chicken filling makes them a healthier option with fewer calories per serving.
17. Steamed Scallion Buns
Steamed buns often have dessert or meat fillings but these ones are different. They are studded with scallions and nothing else.
These buns are deceptively delicious despite their plainness.
18. Crispy Vegetable Tofu Dumplings
These dumplings have a bright filling of silky tofu, green onions, cabbage, and carrots. The mixture is stir fried in soy sauce and sesame oil before being wrapped in wontons.
Pan frying them to golden perfection makes this the stuff of vegetarian dreams.
19. Coconut Milk Pudding Dim Sum (椰汁糕)
This recipe certainly fits the definition of dim sum which translates to touching the heart. It is a straightforward blend of sugar, gelatin, whole milk, and coconut milk.
The result is silky smooth and flavored with nutty sweet coconut.
20. Cantonese Steamed Custard Buns (Nai Wong Bao)
Custard buns are heaven on earth and stuffed with an incredibly rich filling. They are fluffy and tender on the outside.
I love tearing into the bread to watch the golden custard ooze out.
21. Chinese Stuffed Peppers
This popular street food is a versatile little dish that can feature meaty or veggie fillings. You can use any pepper you like ranging from green chilies to simple green bell peppers.
I prefer chilies for a heat boost with the shrimp filling.
22. Fried Shrimp Balls
These magnificent shrimp balls are super popular in Asian countries for good reason. You make a well seasoned shrimp paste and roll it into balls before tossing them in sliced spring roll wrappers.
The ribbons get super crunchy when deep fried.
23. Chinese Mango Pudding
This mango pudding is the best way to end your feast with something tropical and creamy. You mix a quick mango puree with gelatin and cream.
I like using coconut milk to make it extra flavorful.
24. Chinese Style Braised Pork Feet
This dish is definitely worth a try even if it seems a little different. You will enjoy an outstanding meat dish braised in a sweet umami broth.
Just try to forget that you are eating pig feet.
25. Chinese Crystal Dumpling
Crystal dumplings get their name from their delicate translucent wrappers. The filling has a colorful array of textures including carrots, wilted spinach, shiitake mushrooms, and minced pork.
They are definitely worthy of the spotlight even if they are not as popular as har gow.
26. Braised Dim Sum Chicken Feet
I highly urge you to give this dim sum a try even if it is not common for Western palates. Chicken feet are a game changer.
You get wonderfully soft meat coated with a sticky sweet glaze if you can get past the appearance.