Dim Sum: A Pocket Guide [Paperback]

Kit Shan Li (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2004

With its small plates and endless assortment of dishes, dim sum is an increasingly popular way to do brunch. For those new to this fun feast, or regulars looking to try a different dish, Dim Sum is the ultimate guidebook to this traditional Chinese meal. Perfect for popping into a purse or pocket, this handy guide identifies the 50 most popular dim sum dishes with full-color photographs, short descriptions of the ingredients, the names of the dishes in English and Cantonese, and how to pronounce them. As the carts roll by, a quick glance at the book will tell a jean gow choy bang (chive dumpling) from mong gwor bo deen (mango pudding), and demystify the contents of that bamboo steamer. With tips on restaurant etiquette and how-tos for everything from refilling the teapot to handling chopsticks, Dim Sum is yum yum for everyone.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Dim sum is one of the great pleasures of Chinese cuisine, but it can be bewildering for Westerners unfamiliar with Chinese cooking. This little red book, which would easily fit in a back pocket or purse, serves as an illustrated explanation of the items one can expect to find at a dim sum restaurant—with it, one can figure out what’s inside that steamed dumpling, what that tiny dish of meat is and how to tell the difference between a White Turnip Cake and a Taro Cake. For each of the 48 dishes included here, the author provides a color photo and gives a description in English, along with a phonetic pronunciation of the dish’s Cantonese name. Introductory paragraphs give useful tips, such as how to tell the host or hostess the number in your party in Chinese, how to indicate to the waiter or waitress that you’re ready for a refill of your teapot and how to use chopsticks. Cute, clever and handy, this book makes a great gift item for foodies.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

Ordering dim sum is usually a pick and point operation, transcending any language barrier, as carts of foods roll by. "Dim Sum, A Pocket Guide" by Kit Shan Li explains about 50 items, giving Chinese transliterations of the names and clear, appetizing photographs. Steamed pork dumplings, shrimp dumplings, barbecued pork buns and spring rolls share the pages with duck feet and tripe. But where are the popular pot sticker dumplings? Tea etiquette (taking the lid off the pot when you want a refill) is explained, but not the protocol of different size plates for tallying the bill. There is a diagram for using chopsticks. -The New York Times

Want to sound like less of a tourist from Iowa when the dim sum trolley rolls around? "Dim Sum, a Pocket Guide," by Kit Shan Li features photos and descriptions of the most common dim sum items, from dumplings to desserts. The little dishes are identified by their Chinese and English names, with main ingredients listed.
The author cautions that individual restaurants may do some variations, but the sturdy little red book, which will fit into a coat pocket or purse, can take a lot of guess work out of your ordering. Don't cotton to the idea of marinated beef stomach? Just say "nor my guy," which is not a reference to your main squeeze, but indicates that you prefer glutinous rice and chicken accented with mushrooms, dried shrimp and pork, wrapped in a lotus leaf. But you always knew that. -San Francisco Chronicle

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (April 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811841782
• ISBN-13: 978-0811841788
• Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 3.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #137,564 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #37 in Books > Cookbooks, Food & Wine > Regional & International > Asian > Chinese
  • #87 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Cooking, Food & Wine > General

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dim Sum, October 17, 2004

By 

Kyle A. Messner "China Mom" (Arizona) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dim Sum: A Pocket Guide (Paperback)

I bought this book at the check out counter as I was leaving the bookstore. I took it with me to China when I went to adopt my son two weeks later. I loved it and had so much fun with it. I was able to order all sorts of things. I was able to attempt Cantonese pronunciations and if all else failed I could point to the picture and characters. I loved the little book and it was so easy to tuck in my purse.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent resource for non-Chinese dim sum enthusiasts, July 8, 2006

By 

Annie (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dim Sum: A Pocket Guide (Paperback)

This little book packs so much information to help non-Chinese speaking dim sum lovers-- descriptions and photos of common ingredients and dishes along w/ both the Chinese names & pronunciations. It even covers the customs/etiquette of dim sum dining. I've seen it help even the most experienced dim sum enthusiasts. This probably goes without saying, but dim sum is a totally different experience when you can actually ask for things by name. And the book is small enough that you can hide it in your lap or under your leg, if you don't want to be completely obvious. Or, you can hold it out in full view and point to what you want.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great guide to dim sum, January 7, 2007

By 

R. Berlin "Executive Director, Society for Mi... (Prescott, AZ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dim Sum: A Pocket Guide (Paperback)

If you've never eaten China's famed tea lunch, dim sum, this is a great guide; if you're a fan of dim sum (touch the heart) this is a great guide! Pocket size with excellent brief descriptions and good pictures, this little book covers virtually all aspects of eating and enjoying dim sum and identifies the major types of food. This is a guide to understanding, eating and enjoying dim sum and is not a cook book.