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Order Dim Sum in Cantonese

Going for yum cha is the classic Hong Kong experience, and dim sum dishes are easiest to order in Cantonese. Learn how to say har gow, siu mai, and BBQ pork buns the way locals do — with pronunciation audio and Jyutping for every dish.

📖 Read the full guide: Dim Sum in Cantonese — Order Yum Cha Like a Local
蝦餃
shrimp dumpling (har gow)
siuˉ¹燒maaiˊ²賣
Also known as siu mai / shumai
caaˉ¹叉siuˉ¹燒baauˉ¹包
roast pork buns -- baked or steamed buns filled with roast pork; often available as a dim sum (點心) dish or at Chinese bakeries.
coengˊ²腸fanˊ²粉
ricesheet roll; rice noodle roll; Cheung Fun noodles. Also called gyun fan 捲粉.
daanˍ₆蛋taatˉ¹撻
雞蛋餡烘餅

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Frequently asked questions

How do you order dim sum in Cantonese?

Get the waiter's attention with 唔該 (m4 goi1), then name the dish and quantity, like 一籠蝦餃 (jat1 lung4 haa1 gaau2), a basket of shrimp dumplings.

What does yum cha mean?

飲茶 (jam2 caa4) literally means drink tea — it is what locals call going out for dim sum (點心, dim2 sam1).

How do you say har gow and siu mai in Cantonese?

Shrimp dumplings are 蝦餃 (haa1 gaau2) and pork dumplings are 燒賣 (siu1 maai2) — two of the most popular steamed dishes.

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