Boards Around the World Dim Sum Charcuterie Board
Around the World
Dim Sum Charcuterie Board
A yum cha spread moved onto a board: glossy char siu, steamed dumplings, crisp turnip cake and a few sweet bites, with three dipping sauces and plenty of tea.
- Serves
- 8–10
- Board
- 20–22 inch
- Prep
- 30 min
- Cost
- $55–$85
- Level
- Intermediate
Plan a board in the Board Builder Pick ingredients and your guest count, free.
What's on the board
Protein
- Char siu (Cantonese barbecue pork)
- Siu mai (pork and shrimp dumplings)
- Har gow (shrimp dumplings)
Cheese & spreads
- Cream cheese
- Gouda, thin-sliced
- Soy-sesame cream cheese
Sauces
- Hoisin sauce
- Chili oil
- Soy-ginger dipping sauce
Dim sum extras
- Sesame balls (jin deui)
- Mini egg tarts
- Turnip cake (lo bak go)
Fresh produce
- Cucumber
- Pickled ginger
- Shelled edamame
- Scallions
Crunch & accents
- Sesame rice crackers
- Wonton crisps
- Toasted sesame seeds
- Five-spice almonds
- Mandarin oranges
Amounts and prices for each item are in the book.
Why it works
Dim sum is built on variety, so this board mixes textures: sticky, sweet-salty char siu, soft steamed dumplings, crisp pan-fried turnip cake and a sweet corner of sesame balls and egg tarts. Hoisin suits the pork, soy-ginger suits the dumplings, and chili oil adds heat for anyone who wants it.
The fresh side keeps it from feeling heavy. Cucumber and pickled ginger refresh the palate between rich bites, mandarin segments add juicy brightness, and five-spice almonds echo the warm spices in char siu. Wonton crisps and rice crackers bring the crunch that steamed food lacks.
Timeline
- 30 min beforeSteam the dumplings and pan-fry the turnip cake.
- 20 min beforeSlice the char siu and mix the dipping sauces.
- 10 min beforePlace the dumplings, char siu and spreads.
- 5 min beforeAdd produce, crackers and scallions.
- Serving timeAdd the sweets; finish with sesame seeds and chili oil.
The seven-step placement plan (what goes where, and why) is in the book.
New book
Build it exactly, with the new book
This board's exact shopping list with amounts and prices, the prep countdown, all seven placement steps, five swaps and five upgrades are in Charcuterie Lab: Around the World in 16 Boards, with 15 more international boards.
Questions
Where can I buy dim sum for a board?
Asian grocery stores stock frozen siu mai, har gow, sesame balls and turnip cake, and they steam or pan-fry in minutes. Chinese bakeries and barbecue shops sell char siu and egg tarts ready to go.
How do I keep the dumplings warm?
Serve them in a small bamboo steamer set on the board, and steam them in batches so you can refill with hot ones. Turnip cake and char siu are fine at room temperature.
What drinks go with dim sum?
Tea is traditional: pu-erh or oolong helps cut the richness. For wine, an off-dry Riesling pairs well with the sweet-salty char siu and chili oil.
Can I make a vegetarian dim sum board?
Yes. Swap in vegetable crystal dumplings for the har gow, vegetable or mushroom dumplings for the siu mai, and glazed tofu for the char siu. Most turnip cake contains dried shrimp or Chinese sausage, so check labels.
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