dim sum

or dim·sum

[ dim-suhm ]

noun

, Chinese Cooking.

1. small dumplings, usually steamed or fried and filled with meat, seafood, vegetables, condiments, etc.
2. a traditional light meal or dish consisting of these dumplings or other small items of savory or sweet food:

   an assortment of dim sum, which included shrimp dumplings, spring rolls, and steamed pork ribs.

dim sum

/ ˈdɪm ˈsʌm /

noun

1. a Chinese appetizer of steamed dumplings containing various fillings

Word History and Origins

Origin of dim sum¹

First recorded in 1965–70; from Chinese dialect (Guangdong) dím sàm, equivalent to Chinese diǎnxīn ( diǎn “dot, speck” + xīn “heart”)

Word History and Origins

Origin of dim sum¹

Cantonese

Example Sentences

A diner that served cheap noodles and milk tea was gone, as was an eatery where retirees gathered to eat dim sum and catch up on the day’s news.

From New York Times

Celebratory traditions include making dim sum, such as red bean dumplings, steamed rice cakes and glutinous rice cake.

From BBC

It would go well with uni pasta or seafood dim sum dishes.

From Seattle Times

A word of advice: your chance of scoring a table at this dim sum hot spot increases exponentially during the midweek since it could be a two-hour wait on weekends.

From Seattle Times

This Cantonese restaurant has been one of the biggest draws for dim sum at its locations in Richmond, B.C., and in nearby Vancouver for the past 30 years.

From Seattle Times