What is Yum Cha (飲茶) ? A Delicious Dive into the World of Dim Sum (點心)

If you’ve ever been swept up in the clatter of teapots, the buzz of trolleys, and the mouth-watering aroma of freshly steamed dumplings, you’ve already had a taste of what yum cha is all about. But for those who are curious (or just hungry), let’s unpack it properly.

So, what does yum cha mean?

At its heart, yum cha (飲茶) translates from Cantonese as “drink tea”. But it’s a phrase that represents much more than just a cuppa – it’s a cultural ritual, a weekend tradition, and an all-out flavour parade.

Originating in southern China – particularly Hong Kong and Guangdong – yum cha is a meal centred around tea and small plates of dim sum (點心). It’s typically enjoyed in the late morning through to lunchtime, though in Melbourne, you’ll find it happening all day long in certain spots (and we love that for us).

Tea is poured, dishes are shared, and conversation flows. From pork siu mai to prawn har gow, fluffy BBQ pork buns to delicate egg tarts – it’s a dining experience that celebrates variety, freshness, and connection. It’s casual and chaotic in the best possible way.

What is dim sum, exactly?

Dim sum (點心) is the food served during yum cha (飲茶). Think of it as a collection of bite-sized dishes designed to be shared. Steamed, fried, baked or braised – there are no hard rules, but freshness and finesse are non-negotiable.

Some of the most iconic dim sum dishes include:

• Prawn dumplings (har gow)
• Pork and prawn siu mai
• Steamed BBQ pork buns
• Pan-fried turnip cakes
• Custard buns
• Chicken spring rolls
• Salted egg yolk lava buns
  ... and we could go on. (Trust us, we could really go on.)

Whether you’re a long-time yum cha lover or new to the game, the beauty of dim sum lies in its endless variety – and the fact that there’s truly something for everyone.

Yum cha in Australia, and why it’s booming

Here in Australia, yum cha has found a loyal following – not just in the big cities but across the country. The Melbourne yum cha scene, in particular, is thriving. Restaurants, bars and even cafés are bringing dim sum into the fold in creative new ways.

But with growing demand comes a growing need for consistency, quality and reliability… especially behind the scenes. That’s where we come in.

Your go-to wholesale dumpling supplier in Melbourne

At House of Yum Cha, we supply premium frozen dumplings and handcrafted dim sum to over 80 venues across Australia – from yum cha restaurants to Asian fusion bars, boutique grocers and beyond.

We’re a trusted B2B dumpling supplier in Melbourne, known for our lightning-fast service, approachable pricing, and of course, our ridiculously tasty dumplings. All our products are made right here in Melbourne with top-tier ingredients and a whole lot of love.

So whether you’re serving traditional 香港點心 or putting your own spin on things, we’re here to help make sure every dumpling that hits your plate is worthy of a second (and third) serve.

Ready to bring yum cha to your venue?

From frozen dumplings suppliers in VIC to custom white-label creations and recipe collaborations, we make it easy to get quality dumplings delivered in Melbourne and beyond. Reach out to the team today – let’s yum cha!