A good meal with good company is the best combination when it comes to a gathering. The Chinese-tradition of the "Dim Sum Hour" gives the best of both ideals to keep your tummy full and full of laughter and cheer with your guests.

Dim Sum, in Chinese for a tea time or snack, can be one of the best experiences in dining you can get yourself into. As exotic as it may sound, it really is a simple delectable meal for even the most pickiest of eaters.

Dim Sum is served mainly on the weekends and on special occasions like weddings. The setting usually involves a regular restaurant, opening up its doors as early as 10am in the morning, with a line of patrons eagering waiting to get a table, sit down and start calling-out their orders to the nearby waitresses. The dining environment is very rowdy, as voices are rolled across the restaurant, so it can be difficult to hear conversations even at your table.

In most Dim Sum settings, you will have multiple servers who roll around a food cart between the isles calling out the different Dim Sum they have. There is a wide selection of these delectable treats from the popular "ha gor," or Shrimp Dumpling to "seew-mui," a beef or pork filled dumpling and many patron favorites, the "cha-seew-bao," which is the pork-filled steamed bun. Now, if you got your mouth watering already, you will want to sink your teeth into other delicious items like the "fun-gor," a triangular-shaped minced beef or pork dumpling or even settle for a delicious bowl of "jook," which is rice porridge or congee, that usually comes with a choice of chicken, Chinese preserved duck egg or pork topped with green onions. You are also welcome to order family-style dishes such as Chow Mein and Fried Rice as a great main dish. Drink-wise, Dim Sum is usually accomodated with hot tea. Your choices are usually Oolong, Jasmine or Chrysanthemum tea. Be sure to ask your server for your choices!

Your table setting itself will usually be a plate, a table napkin and chopsticks. If you are not a big fan of chopsticks, you can always ask for a fork or spoon. Either way, your meal will definitely be a delicious one! Enjoy and happy Dim Sum-ing!

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