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As a child, Yum Cha (飲茶) was a test of patience and wasn’t exactly my favourite way to spend a weekend morning. Stepping into a crowded Chinese tea house on a Saturday morning was anything but serene. People were packed around tables with barely enough elbow room, each seeming to compete for the best dim sum as if it were the last meal on earth. The clamour of clinking porcelain, the calls for attention, and the hurried footsteps of servers pushing trolleys—all of it felt overwhelming, a sensory barrage that hardly seemed worth the effort. But as I've grown older, I’ve come to see Yum Cha as something altogether different: a cultural treasure, a tradition that guarantees quality time with family and a moment of connection in a world that often pulls us apart.
In those early days, I was hardly enthusiastic about our regular outings. Every weekend, however, we’d set off—my mother, younger brother Alex, my younger sisters, my grandmother, and me—to join the throngs of other families partaking in this cherished custom. I didn’t fully understand its significance then; it was simply another family outing where I’d find myself shuffled between adults, waiting for someone to take charge and grab our favourite dishes.
Looking back now, though, I realise that even as a child, I couldn’t resist certain dim sum classics. The tantalising smell of siu mai (燒賣), with its juicy pork and shrimp filling, or the tender beef balls (牛肉球) seasoned just right, somehow won me over despite my initial reluctance. Then there were the creamy custard buns (奶黃包), soft and warm; the rice noodle rolls (腸粉) slick with sauce; and, of course, the beloved egg tarts (蛋撻) with their flaky crusts and sweet, delicate centres. These treats were irresistible, and though I may have grumbled on the way to Yum Cha, I always found myself enjoying these dishes once they reached the table.
My relationship with Yum Cha has evolved in ways I could never have anticipated. As a child, I was simply being “dragged” along—a reluctant participant in what felt like just another family routine. But as I grew up, I began to see the subtle beauty in this practice. Sitting around a table, pouring tea, sharing plates—all of it woven with the threads of family history and culture. The crowded atmosphere I once dreaded started to feel like a celebration, a joyful gathering where we all came together despite our busy lives.
Now, as an adult, I’m the one who initiates these Yum Cha gatherings. Where I once couldn’t understand the fuss, I now relish the chance to spend time with family. Yum Cha has become a cherished window of opportunity, a reason to keep our connections strong in a world where life’s demands so often keep us apart. There’s something special about gathering around a table, everyone reaching for their favourite dim sum, laughing over shared memories, and reconnecting in a way that only time and tradition can allow.
These days, I find myself lingering over dishes I once took for granted. Siu mai, beef balls, custard buns, rice noodle rolls, egg tarts, and many more—the flavours bring a comforting familiarity, a taste of home that reconnects me to those early days with my grandmother, my parents, and Alex. As we share these dishes now, I am reminded of the patience and care my grandmother showed in choosing each plate, the way she poured tea with such grace, and the laughter we shared when someone inevitably spilt soy sauce or struggled to keep their chopsticks steady.
Yum Cha, I’ve come to realise, is more than just a meal. It’s a gathering point, a cultural cornerstone that reminds me of my roots and offers the chance to create new memories. Sitting at the table with my family today, I understand what I couldn’t as a child: Yum Cha isn’t about the food, the noise, or the crowds. It’s about the people. It’s a tradition that, even in the busiest of settings, guarantees quality time in Asian culture. Each visit reminds me of how essential these moments are, how they give us a shared sense of belonging, and how they create bonds that last far beyond the taste of dim sum.
From a reluctant child to an eager adult, I’ve journeyed from seeing Yum Cha as an inconvenience to embracing it as a custom I look forward to. These outings, once just another weekend chore, have become something I initiate with excitement and appreciation. They are my way of honouring my family, my culture, and the memories we continue to create with each visit. Yum Cha has become a treasure, a tradition I’m grateful to carry forward, and each outing, no matter how crowded or chaotic, is a celebration of love, family, and the shared joy of being together.
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