Oh, I'm so excited to share this roundup with you! I've gathered 26 of my absolute favorite dim sum recipes to make your next brunch something really special. These are the kinds of dishes that beg to be passed around a crowded table, full of fresh flavors and that irresistible mix of textures I just can't get enough of.
1. Stir-Fried Bok Choy
After all the deep-fried goodies and fluffy buns, I always crave something light and vibrant, and this is exactly that. Simple bok choy is beautiful, crisp, and wonderfully fresh, making it the perfect palate cleanser.
It brings such a welcome, healthy change of pace to a spread piled high with dumplings and spring rolls. I love how it makes everything else on the table feel even more special.
2. Vegetable and Pork Spring Rolls
Chun juan, classic Chinese spring rolls, come packed with a savory mix of ground meat and finely chopped vegetables and then deep-fried until impossibly golden. These are the kind of addictive that makes you mutter "just one more" until the plate is magically empty. Crunchy and savory, they're absolutely irresistible and a party essential.
3. Chinese Stuffed Peppers
This beloved street food can swing vegetarian or meaty depending on your mood, which makes it wonderfully versatile. You can stuff any peppers you like, from mild green bells to fiery chilies.
I personally reach for chilies for that extra punch of heat, but you do you. Either way, that perfectly seasoned shrimp filling will absolutely win your heart.
4. Chinese Steamed Spare Ribs with Black Beans
An order of steamed spare ribs is my non-negotiable whenever I find myself in Chinatown. The pork turns so tender it practically collapses under your chopsticks, coated in a glossy, deeply savory black bean sauce that honestly haunts my dreams.
That sauce carries whispers of soy, red wine, sesame oil, and just a tickle of red pepper flake heat. It's simple and classic, and the result is absolutely incredible.
5. Sichuan Spicy Wonton in Red Oil
If you love a little fire on your plate, these wontons deliver a gorgeous Sichuan kick. The silky wrappers swim in a sauce built from chili oil, soy sauce, vinegar, ginger, and onions, delivering pure heat laced with a beautiful symphony of flavors. Every mouthful is tingly, savory, and wonderfully complex.
6. Chinese Mango Pudding
Sweet, tropical, and impossibly creamy, this mango pudding is the dreamiest way to wrap up a dim sum feast. You blitz up a quick mango puree (store-bought is a lifesaver) and blend it with cream and gelatin. I love using coconut milk for an even deeper flavor and adding a layer of chopped mango jelly for those bright, fruity pops of goodness.
7. Sticky Rice with Chinese Sausage
I'm torn between my love for the gloriously sticky rice and the sweet-savory magic of Chinese sausage in this dish. Every bite delivers a gorgeous mix of flavors and textures, yet the whole thing is incredibly easy to pull together at home.
It's one of those effortlessly impressive sides that feels way more complicated than it is. I keep coming back to it.
8. Fried Shrimp Balls
These stunning shrimp balls are huge in Malaysia and all over Asia, and the moment you bite in you'll understand why. The shrimp paste is sweet and plump, with a fantastic crunchy finish that keeps you reaching for more.
You simply season the paste, roll it into little spheres, and toss them in whisper-thin shreds of spring roll wrappers before frying. They're ridiculously good and impossible to stop eating.
9. Chinese Crystal Dumplings
Crystal dumplings (shui jing jiaozi) get their name from those delicate, almost see-through wrappers that show off the rainbow of filling inside. You'll find seasoned minced pork, earthy shiitake mushrooms, wilted spinach, and sweet carrots all mingling in one perfect bite. They may not share the spotlight the way har gow does, but these beauties absolutely deserve a place on your table.
10. Coconut Milk Pudding Dim Sum (椰汁糕)
Dim sum translates to "touch the heart," and this simple coconut pudding does exactly that. It's a no-fuss blend of coconut milk, gelatin, sugar, and whole milk (swap in dairy-free if you prefer) that sets up into something silky-smooth.
The flavor is gently sweet and nutty, full of mellow coconut vibes. Every chilled spoonful is pure, refreshing yum.
11. Ma Lai Go Chinese Steamed Cake
Ma Lai Go is a steamed cake hailing from Malaysia, and its fluffy, cloud-like texture is what sets it apart. Traditionally that fluffiness comes from an intricate starter dough, but I don't want you stuck with such a fussy process.
This recipe skips the yeast and uses baking powder instead, so you get that same special airiness with half the effort. It's a total win.
12. Homemade Cheung Fun (Steamed Rice Noodle Rolls) – 5 Ways
Cheung fun is exactly that: pure fun to eat. Slippery rice noodle rolls are a textural marvel and you can stuff them with anything from shrimp to barbecue pork or even crispy crullers.
This recipe gives you the blueprint for perfect homemade noodles, then sets you loose to fill them with whatever your heart desires. It's a choose-your-own-adventure kind of dish.
13. Cantonese Steamed Custard Buns (Nai Wong Bao)
Custard buns are a little taste of heaven and I don't say that lightly. The outside is pillow-soft, fluffy, and sweet, while inside hides a lusciously rich river of warm custard.
Is it breakfast? Is it dessert? I truly do not care and neither will you once you take that first dreamy bite.
14. Chinese Style Braised Pork Feet
Here's another one that's a little off the beaten path but so very worth a try. You just have to briefly forget you're eating pig's feet, and then you're left with an outstanding, melt-in-your-mouth dish braised in a sweet, deeply savory broth.
The meat falls apart with zero effort and carries that incredible umami richness. I promise it's a revelation.
15. Sesame Balls
Sesame balls are this glorious mix of crunchy and chewy on the outside, with a sweet little treasure hidden right in the center. You can play around with different fillings, but I'm a traditionalist at heart and reach for either lotus paste or red bean paste. This recipe delivers exactly that classic, nutty, joy-filled bite I adore.
16. Dim Sum Sticky Rice Lotus Leaf Wraps (Lo Mai Gai)
Lo Mai Gai bundles up glutinous rice, tender chicken, mushrooms, and veggies inside fragrant lotus leaves for a parcel that's pure aroma. Yes, this one takes a bit of time, but it's a freezer superstar.
I highly suggest making triple the batch so all that effort really pays off with future you. Future you will be so, so happy.
17. Crispy Vegetable Tofu Dumplings
I know veggies and tofu might not sound like the most thrilling filling, but trust me, these dumplings are something else entirely. Silky tofu gets stir-fried with cabbage, carrots, and green onions in a splash of sesame oil and soy sauce until the mix is bright and deeply flavorful. Tucked into wonton wrappers and pan-fried to a shattering golden brown, this is vegetarian bliss, honestly.
18. Har Gow (Shrimp Dumplings)
Har gow is right up there with pork buns in the dim sum hall of fame. Those translucent wrappers reveal a tight bundle of plump, sweet shrimp that is far too tempting to pass up.
Honestly, I learned the hard way: just make a double batch. You, your guests (and anyone lingering in the kitchen) will thank you.
19. Braised Dim Sum Chicken Feet
I know chicken feet aren't exactly a familiar sight on many Western tables, but I am urging you to give them a chance. Seriously, push past the appearance and you'll unlock something really incredible.
The meat becomes wonderfully soft and almost gelatinous, lacquered in a sweet, sticky glaze that is just sublime. It's an adventure worth taking.
20. Chinese Paper-Wrapped Chicken
Paper-wrapped chicken is exactly what it sounds like: juicy chicken bundled in parchment and deep-fried until perfectly tender. No, you won't be eating the paper, but peeling it open to uncover the fragrant, succulent treasure inside is half the fun.
The meat soaks up a sweet, umami-packed mix of Asian seasonings and stays ridiculously juicy. I dare you to eat just one.
21. Chinese Steamed Chicken Buns
Fluffy, pillowy steamed buns stuffed with a delectable chicken and vegetable filling sound like the ultimate comfort food, don't they? They're every bit as scrumptious as their char siu cousins but feel a touch lighter, clocking in at just 179 calories per serving. I love having a slightly healthier option that still delivers all that soft, savory joy.
22. Dim Sum Turnip Cake (Lo Bak Go)
I always make room for Lo Bak Go on any dim sum cart. It's packed with sweet and savory umami notes from shrimp, scallops, Chinese sausage, and shiitake mushrooms.
What gets me every single time, though, is that tender, bouncy bite, with all those little pops of contrasting textures throughout. It's pure dim sum comfort.
23. Chinese Steamed BBQ Pork Buns (Char Siu Bao)
Char siu bao is nothing short of iconic. The pillowy, gently sweet yeast dough is pure heaven, and inside it hides a rich, melt-in-your-mouth barbecued pork filling that defies resistance.
It's essentially a mini Asian sandwich, fluffy and decadent all at once, and I promise you will absolutely want more than one. These buns have a global fan club for good reason.
24. Easy Chinese Egg Tarts
If you're craving something sweet alongside your tea, these lovely Chinese egg tarts are calling your name. Imagine a cross between a British custard tart and a Pastéis de Nata, sporting that short, crumbly pastry shell and a silky egg filling.
They're petite like their Portuguese cousins, making them the perfect two-bite finish to any spread. I always save room for one.
25. Steamed Scallion Buns
Most steamed buns come loaded with meat or sweet fillings, but these keep things beautifully simple: they're studded with scallions and absolutely nothing else. Don't let their plain appearance fool you, though. These fluffy, aromatic pillows are deceptively, unbelievably delicious and I find myself craving their pure savory charm all the time.
26. Shanghai Style Vegetarian Steamed Buns
Craving pillowy Chinese buns but staying plant-based? These vegetarian beauties are exactly what you need. Inside you'll find shiitake mushrooms and bok choy seasoned with soy sauce, a touch of sugar, and fragrant sesame oil, a filling so savory and satisfying that even dedicated meat lovers will be sneaking bites.
