Japanese Dim Sum Dishes to Try

Dim sum is a popular cuisine in China, with bite-sized portions served in steamer baskets, such as dumpling and bao, typically enjoyed at brunch. Thanks to a style of cuisine known as chuka ryori, meaning ‘Japanese Chinese cuisine’, Japanese-style dim sum dishes are also available throughout Japan. Offering the best of both cuisine – mouthwatering bite-size snacks, paired with the unique flavours and ingredients of Japanese dishes – Japanese dim sum is really something special! We take a look at some of the most popular Japanese dim sum dishes to try!

Nikuman

Similar to the Chinese cha siu bao, these steamed pork buns are a delicious addition to any dim sum feast. A little smoother than the Chinese bao, and containing a minced pork meatball, as opposed to chopped barbecued pork, the Japanese Nikuman is its own spin on this classic Chinese dish. Japan is all about varied flavours, and these buns have some unique variations, including cheesy pizza and curry.

Shumai

Shumai is a type of steamed dumpling enjoyed as a dim sum dish in Japan. The dumplings are filled with shrimp and pork and are inspired by the Chinese dim sum dish, shao mai. The dumpling is crafted with an opening at the top so you can see the delicious meat within. Sometimes, these dim sum will also be topped with orange fish roe or a green pea to add a hint of colour and decoration. Dip into a bowl of soy sauce for the best taste experience.

Ebi Chilli

Invented by a Chinese chef living in Japan, Ebi Chilli is shrimp in sweet chilli sauce and is one of the most popular Japanese-Chinese dishes. Featuring crispy breaded shrimp served in a sweet chilli sauce, this take on gan shao xia is made to be sweeter and less spicy than the original Chinese dish to better suit the tastes enjoyed by Japanese people.

Yaki-gyoza

A delicious fried dumpling, yaki-gyoza are crescent-shaped, dough wrappers filled with pork, leek and cabbage. They are steamed and then pan-fried to make them plump and chewy, yet with a crispy exterior, and served with a hot and sour dipping sauce. The yaki-gyoza were first made in Japan following the Second World War when Japanese soldiers who had been in China wanted to recreate the tastes of the dumplings they had enjoyed there.

Goma Dango

Mochi are a beloved snack in Japan, and as part of dim sum, they are seen transformed into goma dango; a deep-fried mochi rice ball filled with red bean paste. They are often served rolled in roasted sesame seeds for added flavour. They have a particularly chewy texture.

Harumaki

Japan’s take on spring rolls, harumaki are a popular dim sum. The deep-fried roll is filled with a range of vegetables. Sometimes minced meat will also be found within these rolls.

Custard-man

‘Man’, short for ‘manju’, meaning steamed bun, is a Japanese take on the Chinese bao bun. A custard-man, as the name suggests, is a steamed bun filled with custard. Steamed custard buns are a delicious dessert dim sum.

If you would like to try some dim sum here in the UK, then check out the range available here at our Japanese supermarket!