Dim Sum a Pocket Guide

Description

With its small plates and endless assortment of dishes, dim sum is an increasingly popular way to do brunch. For those new to this fun feast, or regulars looking to try a different dish, Dim Sum is the ultimate guidebook to this traditional Chinese meal. Perfect for popping into a purse or pocket, this handy guide identifies the 50 most popular dim sum dishes with full-color photographs, short descriptions of the ingredients, the names of the dishes in English and Cantonese, and how to pronounce them. As the carts roll by, a quick glance at the book will tell a jean gow choy bang (chive dumpling) from mong gwor bo deen (mango pudding), and demystify the contents of that bamboo steamer. With tips on restaurant etiquette and how-tos for everything from refilling the teapot to handling chopsticks, Dim Sum is yum yum for everyone.

Kit Shan Li is an award-winning designer and graduate of the School of Visual Arts in New York City, where she now calls home.

Ordering dim sum is usually a pick and point operation, transcending any language barrier, as carts of foods roll by. Dim Sum, A Pocket Guide by Kit Shan Li explains about 50 items, giving Chinese transliterations of the names and clear, appetizing photographs. Steamed pork dumplings, shrimp dumplings, barbecued pork buns and spring rolls share the pages with duck feet and tripe. But where are the popular pot sticker dumplings? Tea etiquette (taking the lid off the pot when you want a refill) is explained, but not the protocol of different size plates for tallying the bill. There is a diagram for using chopsticks. -The New York TimesWant to sound like less of a tourist from Iowa when the dim sum trolley rolls around? Dim Sum, a Pocket Guide, by Kit Shan Li features photos and descriptions of the most common dim sum items, from dumplings to desserts. The little dishes are identified by their Chinese and English names, with main ingredients listed. The author cautions that individual restaurants may do some variations, but the sturdy little red book, which will fit into a coat pocket or purse, can take a lot of guess work out of your ordering. Don't cotton to the idea of marinated beef stomach? Just say nor my guy, which is not a reference to your main squeeze, but indicates that you prefer glutinous rice and chicken accented with mushrooms, dried shrimp and pork, wrapped in a lotus leaf. But you always knew that. -San Francisco Chronicle