Dim Sum vs Dumplings: 7 Differences You Need to Know

When it comes to Chinese cuisine, there are many delicious dishes to choose from. 

Two of the most popular options are dim sum and dumplings.

For the uninitiated, dim sum and dumplings can seem the same.

Both are small bite-sized dishes that are often served with Chinese tea.

These dishes are made with wrapper dough and can be filled with various meat, vegetables, and sauces.

And while they may look similar, there are some key differences between dim sum and dumplings.

So, what sets dim sum and dumplings apart?

Let’s take a closer look.

Here’s a closer look at the two dishes so you can tell them apart the next time you’re in a Chinese restaurant.

What is Dim Sum?

Dim sum is a Cantonese dish (china, Hong Kong) consisting of small bite-sized food served in steamer baskets or on small plates.

Dim sum is typically served as breakfast or brunch, but it can also be enjoyed as a light lunch or dinner, and it is often eaten family-style.

Popular dim sum items include steamed buns, dumplings, rice flour noodle rolls, turnip cakes, egg tarts, and fried shrimp balls.

Types of Dim Sum

There are many different types of dim sum dishes, each with unique flavor and ingredients. 

Some popular types of dim sum include: 

• Steamed buns: These are soft buns filled with minced pork, vegetables, or other fillings. The buns are then steamed until they are cooked through. 
• Fried dumplings: They have been pan-fried until they are crispy on the outside and cooked through on the inside. 
• Steamed dumplings: These dumplings are cooked by steaming instead of frying. These dumplings are typically lighter and more delicate than fried dumplings. 
• Rice noodle rolls: Rolls made from rice noodles and filled with BBQ pork, shrimp, or other fillings. The rolls are then steamed until they are cooked through. 
• Egg tarts: Tarts made from a custard filling and encased in a puff pastry crust. These tarts can be baked or steamed and are typically served as dessert. 

What are Dumplings?

Dumplings are small balls of dough filled with various ingredients, including meat, vegetables, or seafood.

Chinese dumplings can be cooked in various ways, including steaming, frying, or boiling, and they are often served as part of a soup (soup dumplings) or stew.

Dumplings are found worldwide in Chinese, Hong Kong, Japanese, Korean, Russian, and Polish cuisine. 

Chinese dumplings are usually eaten as part of a larger meal, but in other parts of the world, they are often served as appetizers.

Popular types of dumplings include wontons, potstickers, and gyoza. 

Types of Dumplings

There are many different types of dumplings, each with a unique taste and ingredients. 

Some popular kinds of dumplings include:

• Wontons: Thin wonton wrappers filled with ground meat, vegetables, and spices. Wontons are typically served in soup or fried until crispy. 
• Potstickers: These dumplings are filled with a mixture of ground meat and vegetables, then pan-fried until they have a crispy bottom and soft top. 
• Gyoza: Similar to potstickers, gyoza originated in Japan and is made with thinner wrapper dough and a filling of ground meat and cabbage. They are often pan-fried but can also be steamed or boiled.

What are the differences between Dim Sum and Dumplings

Dim sum and dumplings are both delicious, bite-sized foods that are often served steamed.

However, these two dishes are different.

Here’s a closer look at the key differences between dim sum and dumplings.

1. Ingredients

One of the most notable differences between dim sum and dumplings is the ingredients used in each dish.

Both dishes can be filled with various meat, vegetables, and sauces.

However, dim sum typically contains a wider variety of ingredients than dumplings.

While dumplings are usually filled with meat and vegetables, dim sum may include seafood, tofu, and dessert items.

2. The Wrappers

One of the first things you’ll notice when looking at dim sum and dumplings is that they have different wrappers.

Dim sum wrappers are made from a dough that contains baking powder, which makes them light and fluffy.

On the other hand, dumpling wrappers are made from a dough that doesn’t contain baking powder. 

As a result, dumpling wrappers are thinner and less fluffy than their dim sum counterparts.

3. The Cooking Methods

Another major difference between dim sum and dumplings is the cooking method. 

Dim sum is typically steamed, while dumplings can be boiled, fried, or steamed. 

This difference in cooking methods leads to some differences in texture as well.

4. Texture

Dim sum is typically light and fluffy, while dumplings can have a variety of textures depending on the cooking method.

Steamed dumplings will have a softer texture, boiled dumplings will be more tender, and fried dumplings will have a crispy exterior.

Fried dim sum, on the other hand, is not as common and tends to result in a heavier dish.

5. Serving Style

There are differences in serving style regarding dim sum and dumplings.

Dim sum is often served on small plates or steamer baskets and eaten as part of a larger meal with multiple dishes.

On the other hand, dumplings are usually eaten as an appetizer or snack and can be served on their own.

This is partly because dim sum is usually lighter in calories and flavor, while dumplings tend to be heartier and more filling.

However, dim sum and dumplings can be enjoyed as part of a larger meal or as a standalone dish.

6. Flavor

Dim sum and dumplings also differ in terms of flavor.

Dim sum often has a broader range of flavors due to the various ingredients used.

On the other hand, dumplings tend to have more concentrated flavors from their meat and vegetable fillings.

7. Nutritional content

Dim sum and dumplings can vary in terms of their nutritional content.

Dim sum, with its wider range of ingredients and serving style, can have a variety of nutritional values.

On the other hand, dumplings tend to be higher in calories and fat due to the common cooking methods (such as frying) and meat-based fillings.

Dim sum vs Dumplings: Are they the same?

Overall, dim sum and dumplings are delicious options to enjoy as part of Chinese food.

As you can see, there are some key differences between dim sum and dumplings.

These two dishes differ in appearance and taste, from the type of wrapper to the cooking method.

Dim sum is a cuisine, while dumplings are a type of food.

Dim sum includes a variety of dishes, while dumplings are just one type of dim sum.

Dim sum is typically softer and more delicate than dumplings, which can be chewy or crispy depending on how they’re prepared. 

Both dishes can be filled with various meat, vegetables, and sauces.

However, shrimp is one filling you’ll find in dim sum but not dumplings.

Shrimp is a popular dim sum filling because it pairs well with light and fluffy wrappers.

Another key difference between dim sum and dumplings is how they are prepared. 

Dim sum items can be steamed, fried, or baked, while dumplings are usually boiled, steamed, or fried.

Dim sum is typically served as a small snack or appetizer, while dumplings are usually served as a main course.

Finally, dim sum is often served with tea, while dumplings can be served with any beverage.

Now that you know the differences between this Chinese food, you can order confidently the next time you see these two dishes on a menu.

Whether you prefer dim sum or dumplings (or both!), there’s something for everyone to enjoy.