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Dollops of dumplings

DUMPLING WIZARD Master Chef Wen Chun Hun

Dim sum, a unique Chinese dish of Cantonese origin, is popular not only in China but also in other Asian countries. Chinese and Tibetans living in India have contributed well to the popularity of the dish across India which has finally found its way with many innovations to restaurants here. But Master Chef Wen Chun Hun from China is now in New Delhi to unleash the magic of authentic dim sums at the Tea House Of The August Moon at Taj Palace hotel. With eight years of culinary experience in Beijing, specialising only in dim sums, the man is confident to win over Delhi's diners with authentic flavours and taste.

Colour, fragrance, taste and shape are the main considerations in a dim sum. "Though each one is an art and can be done accurately only by someone skilled, getting a balance in the stuffing is the toughest," Chef Gaurav of Tea House interprets it for the Chinese-speaking Chef Wen.

It would indeed be quite a task even for foodies to make a choice from the wide assortment of dim sums, from shrimp and pork steamed dumplings to deep fried dim sums such as pork and prawn sui mai. Chef Wen also offers sweet variants like egg tart, coconut tart and golden fried mango cake.

Ginger vinegar

Dim sums go well with ginger vinegar, which has a sour taste and a strong ginger flavour. "It is made less spicy so that it does not overpower the mild taste of the dim sum," he says.

The popular ones according to the Chef are prawn dumplings, pork and prawn siu mai and taro cakes. Well served with Chinese tea like jasmine or Darjeeling white, dim sums are considered to be a nutritious choice of food that is light, has fewer calories and retains all the nutrient values since the ingredients for the dumpling are raw. Asked how different it is from the momo, a popular dumpling here, the Chef says, "Whilst momo is more spicy, dim sums are mild with no strong flavour."

For all those who want to enjoy a refreshing `yum cha' experience, a Chinese afternoon tea service with some scrumptious and light dim sums, The House Of The August Moon is the right place to visit these days and you know why.

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