Dim sum is a traditional Chinese meal made up of small plates of dumplings and other snack dishes, usually accompanied by tea. The name "dim sum" translates to "touch the heart" in Cantonese, and the associated phrase "yum cha" means "to drink tea". Dim sum is a communal dining and social experience that can span hours, and it is customary for large groups to enjoy dishes together as a leisurely social activity.

Here are some key points about dim sum:

• Dim sum is a large range of small Cantonese dishes that are traditionally enjoyed in restaurants for brunch.
• Most modern dim sum dishes are commonly associated with Cantonese cuisine, although dim sum dishes also exist in other Chinese cuisines.
• There are more than a thousand different varieties of dim sum.
• Dim sum is served using a unique serving method whereby servers offer dishes to customers from carts, including some carts that are steam-heated.
• Diners often prefer tables nearest the kitchen since servers and carts pass by these tables first. Many restaurants place lazy susans on tables to help diners reach food and tea.
• Dim sum can be found everywhere from humble Chinatown takeaway storefronts to glittering restaurant palaces serving hundreds of diners at a time.
• Dim sum meals begin by selecting a tea for the table. Jasmine, Oolong, Chrysanthemum, Sau Mei (a white tea) and Bo Lei (a black tea) are most common and refills are obtained by propping the lid on top of an empty teapot.
• Plates of dim sum are typically classified as small, medium or large with most costing no more than a few dollars.

Overall, dim sum is a delicious and social way to enjoy a variety of small Chinese dishes with friends and family.