The Hong Kong Dim Sum Guide
From har gow to char siu bao — how to order, what to try and where to find the best dim sum in Hong Kong.
What dim sum really is
Dim sum is the Cantonese tradition of small steamed and fried plates served with tea, eaten from mid-morning into the afternoon — a ritual called yum cha, “drinking tea.” It is the single most essential meal on any Hong Kong itinerary.
The dishes to order first
Start with the classics: har gow (crystal shrimp dumplings), siu mai (pork-and-shrimp dumplings), char siu bao (fluffy barbecue-pork buns), cheung fun (silky rice rolls) and an egg tart to finish. Wash it down with bottomless tea.
How to order like a local
Most places hand you a paper card — tick the boxes for each dish and the staff tally it. Tap two fingers on the table to thank whoever pours your tea, and leave the lid ajar on the pot when you want a refill.
Where to eat it
Tim Ho Wan made dim sum famously affordable Michelin food; Lin Heung and Maxim’s Palace serve it old-school from trolleys. For the full experience, go in a group, arrive hungry, and carry some cash for the smaller shops.
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Plan my Hong Kong tripFrequently asked questions
What dim sum really is — what should I know?
Dim sum is the Cantonese tradition of small steamed and fried plates served with tea, eaten from mid-morning into the afternoon — a ritual called yum cha, “drinking tea.” It is the single most essential meal on any Hong Kong itinerary.
The dishes to order first — what should I know?
Start with the classics: har gow (crystal shrimp dumplings), siu mai (pork-and-shrimp dumplings), char siu bao (fluffy barbecue-pork buns), cheung fun (silky rice rolls) and an egg tart to finish. Wash it down with bottomless tea.
How to order like a local — what should I know?
Most places hand you a paper card — tick the boxes for each dish and the staff tally it. Tap two fingers on the table to thank whoever pours your tea, and leave the lid ajar on the pot when you want a refill.
Where to eat it — what should I know?
Tim Ho Wan made dim sum famously affordable Michelin food; Lin Heung and Maxim’s Palace serve it old-school from trolleys. For the full experience, go in a group, arrive hungry, and carry some cash for the smaller shops.