What is the proper explanation of Dim Sum in a restaurant.

well, it basically a little of this and a little bit of that. It is a smorgasbord of a variety of different things.

Little dumplings, steamed items, shu mei's, spring rolls, etc etc. Served in small portions so you can sample many different varieties. Sort of like 'tapas' if you've heard of that.<BR><BR>Actually, Dim sum - loosely translated from the Cantonese means Ok for the Heart. Meaning that Dim Sum is a very pleasing way to eat. You will feel quite good after eating.<BR><BR>Dim means OK<BR>Sam means heart.<BR><BR>Michael From New York

To add to what Michael said, dim sum is often served from carts that circle the dining room. Each cart has a different selection of food; some have steamed items, some fried, etc. Items are generally served on small plates or in small steamer baskets. As the carts, come to your table, you choose the items you want. You are then charged based on the items you took. If you like Chinese food, you'll probably really like dim sum.

'Dim' ('dian' in Mandarin) means a dot, spot, or little piece or small amount of something, and the whole phrase in additional to meaning the particular southern Chinese snacks very roughly described above, can simply be glossed as 'light refreshments' in general.<BR><BR>The most common or most popular of the snacks coming under 'dim sum' however, are prawns in a glutinous wrapping (har gau in Cantonese), siu mai (beef and prawn, sometimes dusted with roe), beef and ginger balls (my Cantonese runs out at this point) usually eaten with Worcester sauce, but also includes small plates of chicken feet, tripe dishes, various kinds of rice pancake, egg tarts, barbecued pork in pastry, and much more.<BR><BR>Some dim sum restaurant have trolleys, some trays (quite rare), and others simply a menu, or may operate trolleys most of the time, but make the dishes to order at slower periods.<BR><BR>Peter N-H<BR>http://members.axion.net/~pnh/China.html

Delicious dim sum-tasty morsels such as pastries, dumplings(pot stickers)and buns with meat, vegetable or seafood fillings. Very good when eaten hot, I have made some home-made dumplings at home myself for my Chinese friend, I am american and he enjoyed them very much. If you would like some recipies just email me.<BR><BR>Lisa