“Do you want momos or dim sums?” Does this question stump you every time you are asked in a fancy Asian restaurant? You are not alone. We have grown up eating momos on the streets, so all the dumplings and dim sums are momos for us and all momos are dumplings and dim sums for us. And wait, there’s wonton too to add to the confusion. So, to save you from such awkward situations and embarrassments, here we are helping you understand the actual difference between momos, dim sums, dumpling and wontons. Take notes.
Now we all know that momos, dumplings, dim sums and wontons are all stuffed dough cases. But if you look closely and dig deeper, you’ll find some glaring differences between all four. Let’s take each variety one by one and explain the differences along the way.
Let’s call dim sums a broader version of the bite-sized flour-filling snack. Dim sums are Cantonese-style steamed bite-sized foods that mean ‘touch the heart’ in Chinese. They are also known as ‘drinking tea’ because they are traditionally served with a cup of tea or another beverage. Unlike momos and dumplings, dim sums can be prepared with any flour starch – rice starch, wheat starch, potato starch and corn starch, and that’s why they appear more translucent. The filling is always chopped or diced. Dim sums encompass momos and dumplings but are not limited to them. They can be prepared with various ingredients and take forms like lotus-leaf-wrapped sticky rice, and even sweet dishes like egg tarts. Even spring rolls can be called dim sums!
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