Siu mai
烧卖
Open-topped dumplings, a familiar starting point for a Cantonese dim sum meal.
Guangdong & Hong Kong
Cantonese
Let the ingredients speak.
Cantonese cooking spans delicate steaming, roast meats, wok-fried noodles and the small-plate world of dim sum. Freshness and the character of the main ingredient are recurring themes; the cuisine is far broader than any one cooking method.
Three things to notice
- Steaming can bring fish, ginger and scallion into focus.
- Dim sum pairs small shared dishes with tea.
- Rice noodles offer a different texture from wheat noodles.
Start with these dishes.
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Cantonese steamed fish
清蒸鱼
Gently steamed fish with ginger, scallion and a light soy-based sauce.
Beef chow fun
干炒牛河
Wide rice noodles wok-fried with beef, bean sprouts and scallions.
Locally generated AI illustrations. Preparations and presentation vary.
Sources & further reading
Background and preparation references. Our descriptions are editorial summaries, not restaurant reviews.