Dim Sum for Dummies
+ do's and don'ts

If there's anything that can wake me up at night, it's without a doubt for a good dim sum session. Now it may sound like a new martial art, but dim sum are fried and steamed small bites from Chinese cuisine, filled with vegetables, meat/fish, and rice. They are also served in those beautiful bamboo baskets, so your table immediately looks festive.

When I was in high school, I went every week with my best friend during our break to the best dim sum place in The Hague to have lunch together (ridiculous for a 16-year-old, but luckily I had a good part-time job). By now, I've made it a sport to sniff out the best dim sum place in every city I visit and I know all the addresses in Amsterdam by neighborhood by heart. What I love most about dim sum is all the different flavors you can taste and try. If you have never tried these little bites, do me and yourself a favor and plan an extensive dim sum session with your friends this month. To help you prepare a bit, I've listed the most important do's & don'ts for you:

• Dim sum is not something you do alone. It's a real ‘social affair’, so invite a large group of friends to join you. Additionally, it's also very awkward to order different kinds by yourself, because you get four pieces per basket. Believe me: I've tried it tout seul, but unfortunately, that was not a success.
• In the past, dim sum was served as a side dish with tea, but it has now become a standalone meal. It is still customary to order a pot of tea, and that's the first thing you do. Note: always pour tea for others; pouring only for yourself is almost a death sentence. And when your pot of tea is empty, lift the lid; this lets the staff know you would like a refill.
• Normally, you save the sweet bites for last, but with dim sum, it is always permissible to order a sweet variant. The custard bun is a must-try.
• Don't order a portion of vegetables: in proportion, such a dish is much more expensive than dim sum. Those extra veggies will come with your next meal.
• Don't be afraid to try everything. Siew Mai and Ha Kau are always good, and my favorite is Chaa Siew Pau.
• Especially look at what others have on their table and let yourself be inspired. Then just ask the staff what it is and if you can order a portion like that too.
• Insta foodies take note: a dim sum restaurant is the perfect place to take lots of photos. There are so many different dishes on the table that you can shoot content for at least five posts.