10 Weird Dim Sum Dishes People Are Freaked Out By & 10 Classic Ones Everyone Orders


10 Weird Dim Sum Dishes People Are Freaked Out By & 10 Classic Ones Everyone Orders


Have You Tried These Dim Sum Dishes Before? 

What attracts people to dim sum is the fun communal aspect of it and the ability to try so many different dishes all at once. And while variety is a good thing, there are some dim sum dishes that tend to scare people off. If you're not familiar with Chinese cuisine or snacks, dishes like chicken feet or steamed ribs might confuse you. Here are 10 weird dim sum dishes most people aren't familiar with, and 10 classic ones that always hit the spot.

DimsumthumbPhoto by Cormac Lawler from Manchester & stu_spivack on Wikimedia Commons 


1. Chicken Feet

We're pretty sure just hearing the word "chicken feet" raises red flags for many people. It doesn't sound appealing in the slightest. However, this is actually a very common and popular dim sum delicacy in Asian countries. If you're ever feeling adventurous enough to try it, do your best to ignore the visuals and just prepare yourself for plenty of bones and very little meat.

1728065133913.pngStu Spivack on Wikimedia Commons

2. Durian Mochi

The moment people see or hear the word durian, it has them running away. This infamous fruit known for its wildly pungent smell and taste isn't exactly popular among most crowds. And just because it's in mochi form doesn't make it more approachable.

1024Px-Mochis - Tora Taverna JaponesaFrancesc Fort on Wikimedia Commons

3. Lotus Leaf Sticky Rice Wraps

While sticky rice is delicious, the sight of it being wrapped up in leaves confuses people. It generally has them wondering, "Are you supposed to eat the leaves too?" Well, the answer is no. They've just been steamed in them to make it more fragrant. In the future, just think of the leaves as packaging for the rice. 

10 Lo Mai Gai - Sticky Rice Wrapped In Lotus Leaf - East Harbor Seafood Palacejasonlam on Wikimedia Commons

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4. Tripe

Tripe, which is the lining in a cow's stomach, is definitely a dish that tends to scare people away. And now that you know what it is, there's a chance we just made it worse. Not only does it look unappetizing with its gelatinous appearance, it does have a bit of an acquired texture too. It's kind of chewy but has a bite to it at the same time. 

1024Px-Boiled TripeKent Wang from Austin, TX on Wikimedia Commons

5. Turnip Cake

If it's your first time reading this item off of a dim sum menu, we can only assume you're pretty confused. Turnip and cake mixed together? Is this a savory or sweet dish? Well, we can tell you that cake is a bit of a misleading word; this is a savory pan-fried snack that mixes radish and a flour mixture together to create a concoction that tastes best when dipped in a spicy and savory sauce.

1024Px-Turnip Cake At Chua Lam's Dim Sum (20201120174336)N509FZ on Wikimedia Commons

6. Rice Rolls

No, we're not talking about sushi. Whenever rice is made into another form, it tends to deeply confuse people. Whether it's chewy like rice cakes or a liquid like rice drinks, there's a bit of apprehension towards trying them. We can see why some people stay away from rice rolls then, a popular dim sum dish. They just don't understand what it is!

1024Px-Rice Noodle Rolls With Shallot And PorkPeachyeung316 on Wikimedia Commons

7. Water Chestnut Cake

Water chestnut cake is definitely not your typical cake. One look is all it takes to realize this is something entirely different. Looking like jelly cubes that are mixed with crunchy chestnut bits, the taste and texture of this cake might shock some people. It's certainly not a flavor or texture profile most are familiar with.

Waterchestnutcaketissue_fleur on Wikimedia Commons

8. Tofu Pudding

Does the thought of putting tofu and pudding together in one bowl scare you? This is something that might sound offputting to people, but if you think about it, the silky texture and plain taste of tofu should work well in a dessert! Besides, this dish isn't what you think it is. Chinese tofu pudding consists of silken tofu soaked in a sweet and gingery syrup. 

1024Px-Tofu Pudding With Peanut And Sweet Potato In Yingge, New TaipeiMeng Weng Wong on Wikimedia Commons

9. Taro Puffs

Have you ever considered putting taro in a savory dish? Well even if you haven't, the Chinese have! Taro puffs do have a wild appearance that doesn't look incredibly tasty, but with one bite, you'll learn to appreciate taro. Fried until crispy on the outside, the inside is loaded with so much taro filling, you'll be shocked by how well this combination works. 

1024Px-Fried Taro CakeHaha169 on Wikimedia Commons

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10. Steamed Pork Ribs

Steaming ribs might seem like a crime, but trust us, this dim sum dish is worth trying! Though the bland appearance and seemingly tough meat might put you off from it, Chinese-style ribs will give you a different taste experience. These ribs aren't fall off the bone, but they're always coated in an addictive sauce that will leave you wanting more. 

1024Px-Food 豉汁蒸排骨, 新葡苑, Shin Pu Yuan, 台北 (21531923392)bryan... from Taipei, Taiwan on Wikimedia Commons

1. Har Gow

One of the most recognizable dim sum dishes, we wouldn't be surprised if you told us this was one of your favorites. Har gow is essentially juicy shrimp wrapped up in a chewy, clear wrapper. There isn't a whole lot of flavor on its own, but when dipped into a salty and savory sauce, it's absolutely delicious. 

1024Px-Xiajiaosfllaw of Flickr on Wikimedia Commons

2. Siu Mai

Next to har gow, siu mai is another iconic and beloved dim sum dish. They don't look like the most conventional dumplings, but that's what they are. These are traditional; they're steamed with a meaty ground pork mixture that is so satisfying to bite into. 

512Px-China Poblano Sui MaiKrista on Wikimedia Commons

3. Egg Tarts

Who doesn't love a good egg tart? These are a dim sum favorite. Egg tarts are a sweet Chinese pastry that have a buttery, flaky crust wrapped around a creamy egg custard. It's the best way to end any dim sum meal on a high note.

1024Px-Egg Custard Tart By Stu Spivackstu_spivack on Wikimedia Commons

4. Soup Dumplings

Be careful! This dim sum dish should come with a warning sign. These aren't your typical dumplings - they're loaded with extra hot broth inside ready for slurping. Each bite turns out so flavorful and rich thanks to the added soup, just be careful you don't burn your tongue.

1024Px-Truffle Soup Dumplings At Din Tai FungOkadiputera on Wikimedia Commons

5. BBQ Pork Buns

A classic at any dim sum restaurant, BBQ pork buns steal the show at every table. The bun itself is nice and fluffy while the pork inside is cooked in a savory and sweet char siu sauce that's irresistible. We can almost guarantee one won't be enough for you.

1024Px-Li Wah Dim Sum - Steamed Bbq Pork Bun (5340445454)Edsel Little on Wikimedia Commons

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6. Sesame Balls

Though these Chinese treats might not seem like much, their chewy texture and red bean filling make it impossible to stop eating. When they're served fresh, sesame balls have such a lovely bite to them. Not to mention, they're only mildly sweet, which is perfect for those of you who don't love too much sugar in your desserts.

1024Px-Onde-Onde WijenSupardisahabu on Wikimedia Commons

7. Fried Squid Tentacles

What's not to love about fried squid tentacles? These ones served at dim sum places are essentially the Chinese take on calamari! And if you love calamari, you know how good these fried snacks can be.

1024Px-Hk Sheung Wan 金鑽海鮮皇宮酒家 Daimond Restaurant 點心 Dim Sum 炸魷魚鬚 Deep Fried Squid March-2012Yip Alberto on Wikimedia Commons

8. Steamed Custard Buns

Light, fluffy, and airy, steamed custard buns have the softest outer shell. These buns could double as pillows if they wanted to! And when filled with a mildly sweet custard, it's a tasty pairing you can never go wrong with. It's a great final bite to have during your dim sum outing. 

1024Px-Steamed Creamy Custard Bun (5204185717)Matt @ PEK from Taipei, Taiwan on Wikimedia Commons

9. Mango Pudding

When in season, mango desserts reign supreme. And if you've never had the luxury of trying mango pudding at dim sum places, you definitely need to. Perfectly capturing the essence of this tropical fruit, it's an easy to enjoy dessert that isn't too heavy yet satisfies the palate. 

1024Px-Mango Pudding By Mr Wabu In Hong KongMr Wabu from Hong Kong on Wikimedia Commons

10. Spring Rolls

If you prefer enjoying something a bit more familiar, we're sure you'd be happy to see spring rolls on the dim sum menu. After all, who doesn't love a crispy, meaty spring roll? In dim sum restaurants, there are so many different types to try, the most popular one being filled with shrimp. You definitely want to dip it in the sauce though - that savory soy sauce makes it!

1024Px-Deep Fried Spring RollHiroooooo on Wikimedia Commons