Consider Dim Sum For The First Date

Asking someone out for coffee as a first date is such a cliché. Isn’t it about time you broke out of the first date routine and show a little moxie and adventurousness? Do something that your date will remember you by and improve your chances for a second date. Consider doing dim sum for your first date!

Not sure what dim sum is? Dim Sum, for the uninitiated, is essentially Chinese brunch. You don’t have to be Chinese to enjoy the experience. And it is an experience! If you haven’t had the fortune of being invited along by your Chinese co-workers or friends for dim sum, be prepared for a delightful and delicious experience.

Dim sum has its origins from Canton, China. Dim sum consists of an assortment of sweet and savoury dishes typically steamed or deep fried. Part of the dim sum experience is having hot tea known as yum cha. Most hot items are served in small steamer baskets. The types of items include shrimp dumplings (called har gao), buns with roast pork (char siu bao), pork, mushroom & shrimp dumplings (siu mai), mini egg rolls, pot stickers, taro root (wu gok is light and delightfully deep fried!), egg custard tarts, and for the really adventurous chicken feet! plus many more taste treats. Don’t load up on any one item; instead, allow yourself and your date to sample as many items as possible. What you don’t finish, you can always take home.

Traditionally, dim sum service is noted for its servers pushing metal carts stacked with steamer baskets with customers selecting items as servers come by tables. Selected items are then marked on a card. While many restaurants have dispensed with this system in favour of ordering items from a menu card, I recommend seeking out the restaurants with the cart system as it allows for you and your date to see, smell and anticipate the next batch of delicious morsels.

Dim sum restaurants tend to be noisy places with large groups of diners, servers announcing items, and carts being pushed around so don’t expect to have a romantic conversation in the general din of a Chinese brunch. Your dim sum first date should be about enjoying the shared dining experience--with all your senses coming into play. Discover what your date likes and dislikes. Don’t worry if you’re not a dim sum pro, enjoy the uniqueness of the dining experience together. Let the sounds, smells and tastes be part of the fun, and not the pressure of being on a first date in a coffee shop where it often becomes an interview Q and A.

If you’re still anxious about having a dim sum first date, check out websites for sample menus and photos of typical items. Ask friends about their favourite dim restaurants and recommendations. Learn the Cantonese pronunciation of items (most are easy). Dim sum servers typically announce (in Cantonese) the items on their carts and if an item piques your or your date’s interest, don’t hesitate to ask the server for a look or more information.

Enjoy!

For more information, Google dim sum for restaurants in your area, menus and service hours.

(Note: Cantonese cooking and dim sum dishes include pork so if your date is pork or meat averse, dim sum dining is not recommended. Dim sum items are approximately $3.00 per item.)