🫖 Why is Hong Kong-style yum cha called "yum cha"? The philosophy of life in Cantonese culture

Every time I meet up with friends for "Yum Cha," I get super excited 😍. "Yum Cha" isn't just about eating dim sum; it's a Cantonese way of life. But on a deeper note, why is it called "Yum Cha" when it's clearly meant to be a dim sum meal? This term has historical roots, cultural customs, and social significance. Let me break it down for you today!

📜 The history of tea drinking

1. Ancient Tea Culture

• China has had the habit of drinking tea since ancient times. As early as the Tang and Song dynasties, it was popular among southerners to "treat guests with tea."
• Tea is considered a refreshing drink that can relieve greasy sensations. It is not only a beverage, but also a form of self-cultivation and a way of entertaining guests.

2. The rise of Guangdong teahouses

• Teahouses began to appear in Guangdong (especially Guangzhou and Foshan) in the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China.
• People go to teahouses mainly to drink tea , and dim sum is only a supporting role.
• The neighborhood's catchphrase at the time was: "Let's go have some tea!"☕

3. Evolved into a food culture

• As teahouses gradually added more dim sum varieties, "drinking tea" became a combination of drinking tea and eating dim sum.
• Therefore, "drinking tea" no longer refers to drinking tea alone, but has become a complete life experience.

🧪 Why is it called "Yum Cha" instead of "Dim Sum"?

1. Tea is the star, dim sum is the supporting role

• The core tea of ​​early teahouses was tea: Pu'er, Tieguanyin, Fragrant Tea, and Shoumei.
• Originally, dim sum was just a snack to go with tea, a concept called “two pieces with tea”.
• Therefore, it is named "Yin Cha" to highlight the protagonist.

2. Social Context

• For Cantonese people, "drinking tea" means "getting together".
• For example, "Let's have tea tomorrow!" actually means "Let's go to a restaurant and chat together."
• "Drinking tea" has become a social verb and is no longer just a dietary behavior.

3. Fixed habitual language

• For a long time, people have been accustomed to calling this activity "drinking tea".
• Even if people go to yum cha today to eat a dozen baskets of dim sum, no one would say "going to eat dim sum" because "yum cha" has become a cultural symbol.

🌟 The cultural significance of "drinking tea"

1. Family and kinship

• Drinking tea is a weekend ritual for many Hong Kong families. 👨👩👧👦
• A cup of tea, a basket of dim sum, and three generations living together are the bond of family affection.

2. Socializing and Relationships

• Many business and social activities are negotiated over the tea table.
• The lively atmosphere of a teahouse is perfect for chatting and building relationships.

3. Leisurely lifestyle

• Don’t rush when drinking tea, and appreciate “slowly savoring” it.
• Guangdong people believe that life is about finding a break in the busy life, sitting down to enjoy a cup of tea and some dim sum, which is enjoyment.

🍽️ Characteristics of Yum Cha

1. One bowl, two pieces

• "A cup of tea and two dim sum" is the earliest way of drinking tea.
• It gradually evolved into the wide variety of dim sum choices we have today.

2. Dim Sum Cart 🛒

• The restaurant lady pushing the dim sum cart and shouting loudly is a classic scene of tea drinking.
• The moment the bamboo steamer is opened, white smoke rises and the aroma fills the air.

3. Combining tea and food

• Tea can relieve greasiness, and dim sum is high in oil and meat, the two complement each other.
• Tea is the soul, dim sum is the scenery.

🍤 Modern Tea Drinking Variations

• Overseas spread : As Chinese people migrated around the world, "drinking tea" became an internationally recognized Guangdong culinary culture.
• Upscale : Some five-star hotels have upgraded their tea and refined their dim sum.
• Innovation : New-style dim sum incorporates Western elements, such as black truffle siu mai and lobster spring rolls.

💡 Editor's Summary

The reason why Hong Kong-style yum cha is called "yum cha" is actually the crystallization of history, culture and life wisdom :

• Originally the tea-themed protagonist and the dim sum-themed supporting role
• "Drinking tea" has become a synonym for social activities
• Carrying the emotional connection of family, friendship, and career
• Representing the Cantonese people's "leisurely and carefree" philosophy of life

For me, yum cha is more than just a meal; it's a ritual, a Cantonese way of life. When you say "yum cha!" to a friend, it really means sitting down together, sipping tea, enjoying some dim sum, and sharing your life experiences.

👉 Next time you go to yum cha, share with those around you why it’s called “yum cha” and not “dim sum”. Then you’ll instantly become a cultural expert on stage 🫖🥟✨.