If there’s one thing that defines Hong Kong’s food culture, then it’s got to be dim sum. Visitors to this little slice of the Orient will not find a sojourn complete unless they try these delightful mini-meals and snacks.

Dim sum, which literally means to “touch the heart,” is composed of an assortment of food choices served in steaming bamboo baskets and normally accompanied by Chinese tea. Dim sum is usually eaten from morning till lunchtime, although there are many dim sum restaurants and eateries that offer round-the-clock specialties.

Eating dim sum at a teahouse is also an established social norm in Hong Kong, where the entire dining experience is known as yum cha. In addition, teahouses have a wide range of affordable snacks aside from dim sum such as noodles, cake and desserts. Some specialties, such as daan tart, are unique to the territory. continue reading…