Food is often the star of every celebration. In fact, your guests may be looking forward to munching on hearty meals, indulgent desserts, and overflowing drinks. But if you want a unique Chinese dining experience, consider throwing a dim sum party.
Regardless of the special occasion, a dim sum party is an excellent way to entertain a large group of friends or family members. However, preparing a dim sum spread at home can seem daunting, especially if it’s your first time. To help you pull off a successful dim sum party, here are some tips you can follow:
- Plan the menu carefully
Make a list of the dim sum dishes you will add to your menu. Some common ones include dumplings of various types, such as boiled, steamed, and pan-fried. A selection of the popular choices are as follows: char siu or barbecued pork, bao buns, turnip cakes, congee, custard tarts, fried sesame balls, and steamed radish. You can even add chicken feet to the spread if you’re feeling daring.
If you’re planning to prepare the dishes on your own, the easiest meals to make at home are spring rolls and shumai. You can find their respective wrappers in the freezer section of any Asian grocery store.
On the other hand, you can opt for pre-made dumplings and steamed buns or order from your favorite dim sum restaurant if you don’t have time to cook. This way, you can still share your love for dim sum with your friends and loved ones even if time isn’t on your side.
- Serve family-style dim sum
Dim sum is all about sharing, so it’s best to serve it family-style, where dishes come out as they are ready. If you’re worried about doing it incorrectly, you don’t have to because there really is no right or wrong way to serve it. Just make sure to prepare enough for your guests to ensure everyone is satisfied. As long as you have more meals on the table, you are likely to have more fun, and you can make their tummies and taste buds happy.
There is no particular sequence to eating when it comes to dim sum. It means you can choose any dish you want when the cart comes. You can even sneak a bite on your dessert and then go back to consuming savory dishes.
- Make your dim sum spread presentable
Make your dim sum spread Instagram-worthy using large bamboo baskets lined with bamboo or banana leaves as your table settings. You can also use spices, including cumin, star anise, cinnamon, and coriander, as part of displays when presenting the dishes on platters.
Since many are steamed, you can keep a lid on top to keep your food warm while making the spread presentable. Don’t forget to add chopsticks and spoons to complete your beautiful tablescape!
Conclusion
Whether you are celebrating the New Year or simply having an intimate get-together, hosting a dim sum party at home lets you create unforgettable memories with your loved ones and have an enjoyable dining experience. You don’t have to hire professionals to pull off a successful party. All you have to do is follow the tips listed above so you can hold a celebration that is one for the books.
If you’re looking for a restaurant offering dim sum in Houston, then you’ve come to the right place. Complete your menu with tasty dishes from Ocean Palace. We have noodles, dumplings, clams, and more. Order now to enjoy Chinese food delivery or takeout with your guests!