In Hong Kong, dim sum is eaten as yum cha (“drinking tea”): a morning or lunchtime meal of small steamed and fried dishes shared with a pot of tea. You usually tick dishes on an order sheet, and each basket costs about 30–70 Hong Kong dollars (HKD) in ordinary restaurants (2026), plus a small tea charge per person. Tim Ho Wan is famous for Michelin-recognised dim sum at low prices; Maxim’s Palace at City Hall still serves from traditional push carts.
| Quick facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Local name | Yum cha (飲茶), “drinking tea” |
| When | Breakfast to mid-afternoon; weekends are busiest |
| Typical price | About 30–70 HKD per basket, plus a tea charge (2026) |
| How to order | Tick an order sheet, or pick from carts in traditional places |
| Must-try | Har gow, siu mai, char siu bao, cheung fun |
Classic dim sum to order
| Cantonese | What it is |
|---|---|
| Har gow (蝦餃) | Shrimp dumplings in translucent wrappers |
| Siu mai (燒賣) | Open pork and shrimp dumplings |
| Char siu bao (叉燒包) | Fluffy buns filled with barbecue pork |
| Cheung fun (腸粉) | Steamed rice-noodle rolls with shrimp, beef or barbecue pork |
| Fung zao (鳳爪) | Braised chicken feet in black bean sauce |
| Lo mai gai (糯米雞) | Sticky rice with chicken, wrapped in lotus leaf |
| Dan tat (蛋撻) | Egg tarts |
Yum cha etiquette
- Choose your tea first. Common choices are pu-erh (bo lei), jasmine and oolong.
- Pour for others before yourself. When someone pours tea for you, tap two or three fingers on the table to say thank you.
- Need more hot water? Leave the teapot lid tilted open; staff will refill it.
- Share everything. Order a few baskets at a time and keep adding.
Local tip: go early. Popular places fill up from mid-morning, especially at weekends, and some dishes sell out.
Where to eat dim sum in Hong Kong
- Tim Ho Wan – founded in Mong Kok in 2009 and known for affordable, Michelin-recognised dim sum. Several branches. Most dishes contain pork.
- Maxim’s Palace (City Hall, Central) – a large, classic Cantonese dining hall with harbour views where dim sum still comes round on carts.
- Neighbourhood Cantonese restaurants – across Kowloon and the New Territories, often busier and cheaper, with local families at weekends.
Check current opening hours and queue times; some places take bookings and some do not.
Useful Cantonese words
| Say | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Yum cha | Having dim sum and tea |
| M̀h gōi | Thank you (for a service) / excuse me |
| Bo lei | Pu-erh tea |
| Maai daan | The bill, please |
Frequently asked questions
What time do people eat dim sum in Hong Kong?
From early morning to mid-afternoon. Weekend mornings and lunchtime are the busiest.
How much does dim sum cost in Hong Kong?
About 30–70 HKD per basket in ordinary restaurants, more in hotels. A meal for two often costs 250–500 HKD (2026 prices).
What is the tea charge?
Most Cantonese restaurants charge a small fee per person for tea and table setup.
More Cantonese food: roast goose in Hong Kong and dim sum in Guangzhou. Browse all Asia food guides or estimate your food budget for Hong Kong.
Sources
- Hong Kong Tourism Board.
- Dim sum – dishes and yum cha customs.
