Literally meaning “touch the heart” in Cantonese, Dim Sum are widely popular dishes that are enjoyed across China as well as other Asian gastronomy, and they hold plenty of significant cultural and historical value.
Situated in the heart of Leeds, you can enjoy our wonderful authentic Dim Sum dishes for as little as £6 each, right here at Blue Pavilion.
Presented artfully with edible flowers and made with various aromatic ingredients, our Dim Sum dishes take you on a journey through Asian cuisine. Let’s embark on this journey as we explore what makes Dim Sum so special, with its history, our key dishes and set menus.
What Is Dim Sum?
Dim Sum refers to the dining experience that includes small portions of delicious dishes: they’re shared between family and friends, similar to Spanish tapas. Closely tied to the tradition of Yum Cha, dim sum dishes are shared during breakfast and brunch – many people also enjoy tea as a staple beverage with their small dishes.
Usually, this culture is commonly shared in Cantonese-speaking locations, including Hong Kong, Macau, Guangdong Province, and parts of Guangxi Province, as well as overseas Chinese communities in Singapore, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and the United States, where dim sum remains an important social and culinary tradition.
Generally, dim sum covers a variety of cooking techniques, including steaming (We’ll break down more of these key dishes and their ingredients later). Even though dim sum is known as a breakfast or brunch tradition in China, we serve it all day here at Blue pavilion, so you won’t miss out!
Dim Sum In Chinese History & Culture
Dim sum dishes are not only recognised as delicious meals, but also symbols of rituals, social gatherings and kinship. Being an integral part of Yum Cha, it all started during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912) when travellers and merchants would stop off at local inns and teahouses to rest, drink tea and eat. They were given bite-sized dishes and tea, and they also used this time to pause, reflect and socialise, where the practice of Yum Cha eventually developed into a popular tradition.
As time went on, families and friends took part in the tradition of Yum Cha across China, and the love for tea and dim sum dishes had blossomed. This popularity led to little teahouses becoming much larger restaurants, and dim sum became the cornerstone of Chinese tradition.
The Different Varieties Of Dim Sum: Our Dishes
At Blue Pavilion, our expert chefs understand what it takes to create little dim sum delights, using cooking techniques such as steaming as well as aromatic ingredients. All presented in beautiful bamboo steamers, we take pride in the presentation of our dim sum, as well as their taste. Let’s dive into some examples of our soulful dim sum dishes.
Iberico Xiao Long Bao (3 Pieces)
Our 3 pieces of IIberico Xiao Long Bao combine the delicate craftsmanship of Shanghai’s famous soup dumplings with the rich flavour of premium Iberico pork. Encased within a thin, pleated wrapper, each dumpling delivers a savoury burst of broth and tender meat in every bite.
Black Gold King Prawn Ha Gau (3 Pieces)
If you’re a lover of seafood, our Black Gold King Prawn Ha Gau certainly makes a great option for you. They’re a luxurious twist on the classic Cantonese Dim Sum – they’re juicy king prawns enclosed in black pastry. Presented artfully with edible pansy flowers and opulent gold leaf, you and your loved ones will undoubtedly feel treated to a special culinary experience with this dish.
Blue Pavilion Char Siu Bao
One of the most beloved dim sum classics, Char Siu Bao features pillowy marshmallow-like steamed buns that are filled with tender, sweet and savoury barbecued pork. Steamed to perfection, the light and fluffy dough complements the rich filling, creating a satisfying combination of flavour and texture in every bite.
Yuanbao Scallop Dumplings With XO Sauce (3 Pieces)
Shaped like the ancient Chinese currency known as ingots, our golden dumplings are filled with succulent scallops and aromatic flavourings of spices and cured ham. If you’re a lover of savoury and seafood dishes, this is certainly a great option for you.
Japanese Wagyu Beef Dumplings (3 Pieces)
Our Japanese Wagyu dumplings enclose meaty fillings of tender Wagyu beef. Pan fried for a crispy bottom and steam to preserve its rich flavours, these dumplings are then adorned with an edible pansy flower.
Supreme Dim Sum Platter
Our supreme dim sum platter features an assortment of luxury small dishes that mirror the tradition of Yum Cha. If you’re looking for some variety to make your night memorable, our supreme dim sum platter is certainly a great option for you.
Japanese Dim Sum Egg Tarts
The Hong Kong egg tarts make a lovely light dessert, and they’re widely celebrated as part of the dim sum Cantonese tradition. If you’re looking for something sweet to complete your night, they make a great option. Alternatively, feel free to explore our other dessert menu for other sweet treats such as our Crème Brûlée and Oreo Matcha Cake.
Our Set Menus: Our Journey Through Dim Sum
Our dim sum treats are not only found on our dedicated dim sum menu, but they’re also available on our à la carte menu, where you’ll also find a wide curation of baked and steam dim sum dishes.
To experience other authentic Chinese dishes, feel free to explore some of our other menus. Fathers’ Day 2026 is just right around the corner, so why not treat your dad to a memorable experience with our Father’s Day set menu? If you’re graduating this year from university, we also have our upcoming Graduation Set Menu so you can celebrate with friends and family on your special day.
Despite the fact that our main dining setting has a very pleasant atmosphere, we understand that many people like the idea of exclusive dining settings for a more intimate experience. Our private dining settings, such as the amber, jade and ruby room are perfect for families or couples who’d like to enjoy the dim sum experience uninterrupted. We also have a karaoke room if you’d like to book a party and have a fun night – just simply book in advance.
Book Your Dim Sum Experience Today
After reading this guide, we hope you have learnt something new about dim sum and its place in Chinese tradition. We’ve talked about our set menus, key dishes and private dining settings. To get the best experience, book now or call us on 0113 887 6888 to reserve your table – we’re looking forward to seeing you!