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Dim Sum-Literally
meaning "to touch your heart," consists of a variety of
dumplings, steamed dishes and other goodies such as the famous
egg custard tarts. They are similar to hors d'oeuvres, the
hot and cold delicacies served at French restaurants.
Originally a Cantonese custom, dim sum is inextricably linked to
the Chinese tradition of "yum cha" or drinking tea. Travelers
journeying along the famous Silk Road needed a place to rest, so
teahouses began springing up along the roadside. Rural farmers,
exhausted after long hours working in the fields, would also
head to the local teahouse for an afternoon of tea and relaxing
conversation. Still, it took several centuries for
the culinary art of dim sum to develop. It was originally
considered inappropriate to combine tea with food - in fact a
famous 3rd century Imperial physician claimed this would lead to
excessive weight gain. However, as tea's ability to aid in
digestion and cleanse the palate became known, tea house
proprietors began adding a variety of snacks, and the tradition
of dim sum was born.
In the west, dim sum came about as a
natural result of 19th Chinese immigrants - most of whom were
from the Canton region - settling on the East and West coasts.
Some gourmands believe that dim sum inspired the whole idea of
"brunch" - combining breakfast and lunch into one large
midmorning meal. It is true that the word brunch only came into
existence in the late 1800's
What types of foods are served at a typical dim sum lunch? When
it comes to cooking methods, many of the dishes are either
steamed or deep-fried. Among the former, you'll find everything
from steamed pork spareribs and char siu bao - steamed buns with
roast pork - to har gao, those wonderful shrimp dumplings with
the translucent skin. Deep-fried treats include mini spring
rolls and Wu Gok, a type of taro turnover. Not to mention
whatever other culinary creations the chef may come up with.
Finally, there's dessert. Custard tarts are a must; you may also
have a choice between mango or almond pudding. All of the above
are washed down with copious amounts of green tea.
Courtesy of chinesefood.about.com
The Best Chinese
Food
New Gold Mountain has been serving "the
best Chinese food under the sun". New Gold Mountain operates
Monday through Saturday and serves the
freshest dishes.
Be sure to try our
Lunch
Specials and
House Specialties
all-time favorites from our menu. Take-out and
delivery
is also available.

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