Chapter 1
Silk Road stops and tea ceremonies
Chapter 2
The art of touching the heart
Chapter 3
Anatomy of the bamboo basket
Chapter 4
The bustling theater of the dining hall
YOUR GOAL
Master of The delicious history of dim sum
Ch 3 · Anatomy of the bamboo basket
sonia Anatomy of the Bamboo Basket
Woven lid drinks the steam, / No soggy drops on the scene, / Dim sum floats like a dream.
sonia This open-faced pork and shrimp dumpling has a rich history tracing back to Inner Mongolia.
sonia The iconic translucent shrimp dumpling is the ultimate test of a chef's technical skill.
Fun Fact
Steamer science: Stacked bamboo steamers cook food using a chimney effect, where steam rises and cooks the top basket just as fast as the bottom.
Glossary
steamer (noun)
A container or appliance in which food is cooked or heated by exposure to steam. In 1970s Hong Kong, artisan Lui Ming designed a steel-rimmed bamboo version to prevent cracking.
A container or appliance in which food is cooked or heated by exposure to steam. In 1970s Hong Kong, artisan Lui Ming designed a steel-rimmed bamboo version to prevent cracking.
Quiz
Which open-faced dim sum dumpling, typically filled with pork and shrimp, originated in northern China?
Quiz
What natural material is traditionally used to make the stackable steaming baskets for dim sum?
Quiz
Why do traditional dim sum steam baskets feature woven bamboo lids instead of solid metal ones?
Quiz
How many pleats is a dim sum master traditionally expected to fold into a single har gow dumpling?
Quiz
What visual feature indicates that a steamed barbecue pork bun (char siu bao) has been cooked perfectly?
Quiz
What ingredient is traditionally placed on top of a shumai dumpling as a colorful garnish?
Quiz
What type of dough is used to give steamed char siu bao buns their fluffy, bread-like texture?