Dim sim facts for kids
A steamed dim sim
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| Type | Dumpling |
|---|---|
| Course | Appetiser or snack |
| Place of origin | Australia |
| Serving temperature | hot |
| Main ingredients | Meat, cabbage |
| Variations | Vegetarian (assorted fillings) |
A dim sim is a tasty snack from Australia, inspired by Chinese cooking. It's a bit like a dumpling, filled with meat and vegetables. You'll find them everywhere in Australia, and sometimes in New Zealand too!
Dim sims were first offered to miners during the gold rush in Australia in the 1800s. Back then, they often used mutton. A Chinese immigrant named William Chen Wing Young helped make them super popular. He was from Guangdong and lived in Melbourne. His daughter, Elizabeth Chong, is a famous chef and TV personality. The name "dim sim" comes from the Chinese words diim syiim (點心), which was how people in Melbourne's Chinese community said it.
What's Inside a Dim Sim?
Most dim sims are made with minced meat, cabbage, and special seasonings. All these yummy ingredients are wrapped in a skin, similar to a traditional shumai dumpling.
They are usually shaped like a rectangle, but sometimes you can find bigger round ones. You can enjoy them in a few ways:
- Deep fried: This makes them crispy and golden.
- Steamed: This keeps them soft and juicy.
- Barbecued: Some people cut them in half and cook them on a hot barbecue!
Dim sims are often served with soy sauce for dipping. If you're looking for a vegetarian option, some dim sims have fillings like cabbage, carrot, vermicelli noodles, or Chinese shiitake mushrooms. However, these are not as common in regular shops.
How Are They Different from Other Dumplings?
Dim sims are special because they are often much bigger than typical Chinese dumplings. They also have a thicker, chewier skin. This makes them quite hearty and robust.
Where Can You Find Dim Sims?
You can easily find dim sims in lots of places across Australia:
- Fish and chip shops
- Service stations
- Corner shops
- Some Chinese restaurants and takeaway places
You can also buy them frozen from Chinese yum cha suppliers or Asian food stores. This lets you cook them at home whenever you like! They are also available in Chinese food shops in New Zealand.
The History of the Dim Sim
The name "dim sim" has been around since 1928. However, the modern recipe we know today was likely created in Melbourne's Chinatown in 1945. It was developed by William Wing Young for his food company, Wing Lee. He was the father of TV chef Elizabeth Chong.
The larger, round dim sim is often called a "South Melbourne dim sim." This is because it first became popular at the South Melbourne Market.
Original Recipe Ingredients
Elizabeth Chong, William Wing Young's daughter, once shared her father's "original recipe" for the dim sim. It included:
- Pork
- Prawns
- Water chestnuts
- Spring onions
- Soy sauce
These ingredients were all wrapped in a soft, skin-like wrapper.
Images for kids
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A fried dim sim (South Melbourne style) with soy sauce
