Guangzhou Dim Sum

Something not to be missed in Guangzhou is Cantonese cuisine and especially, Dim Sum (CN: 點心; pinyin: dian xin). It’s also referred to as Yum Cha (CN: 飲茶) which means to drink tea, and that is exactly what happens, with families gathering together of a morning, the teapot is the first thing placed at the table with people chatting over tea while snacks make their way to the table.

While every Dim Sum restaurant will have its own specialties they will all offer the basic dim sum menu which can range from 30 to 80 options. Each dish generally contains three bite-size pieces and the general norm is to order four dishes per person which are all shared. Of course, if you are still hungry, you can go for more.

As for ordering, some restaurants, have trolleys that get wheeled around and you simply pick off those. Other restaurants use a menu with tick boxes and some modern restaurants now use tablets. If you are stuck, just show the waiter pictures of your favorites picks and they’ll fill the menu in for you. Usually.

You’ll also get given a card, on which the waiter will note down what you have received. At the end simply call the waiter over and she’ll go and tally things up and give you the bill.

Expect to pay around 100-200 RMB for two people and be very full for the rest of the day.