Yum Cha

White fluffy, sweet barbecue pork buns, dim sims,  spring rolls, prawn & spring onion dumplings, satay chicken sticks, sesame toast & roast duck, am I making your mouth water? All on todays' menu for Yum Cha. It's become a little bit of a family tradition that we have Yum Cha for Sunday lunch, not every Sunday, at least a few times a year. We venture into town, not China town per se, but half way there, to a large restaurant that is popular for Yum Cha. Today we even had to wait for a table to become available, people were queued outside the door. The lure of those yummy, fluffy white pork buns calls not only our family but many others too! Especially Asian families.

Yum Cha,  饮茶 is a Chinese style morning or afternoon tea according to Wikipedia. Usually in western countries it attracts people for brunch, early or late lunch anytime from about 11am - 2pm. It is  only served in the day and only at certain restaurants. Never at night time, though some of the dishes can be offered by some restaurants at other times. The landmark style of serving with waitresses pushing trolleys of bamboo pots with a wide range of small, different dishes gives a whole dining experience that is a little out of the ordinary. It's quite a fun way to eat. We always try something different, though we have our favourites, being brave with food is a carry over from living in Taiwan days, chicken's feet definitely NOT a favourite! One of EQ's favourite foods is pork dumplings, a taste of Taiwan like vegemite toast is to us Aussies. 

Today we sampled the desserts, a lovely crepe filled with mango and ice-cream. Not sure how traditionally Chinese they are, but the children enjoyed them immensely. Sadly our favourite Chinese restaurant in our home town has shut down and we are 'forced' to explore far and wide to find the tastes we know and love. Amazing how food sends many of us on culinary adventures.

We enjoy our 'out family lunches'. It reminds me of my childhood days, of a Sunday lunch tradition that my Grandparents developed. For many years, my Grandparents would religiously have fish and chips after morning church for Sunday lunch. Then it was roast dinner. Even today, I still crave fish and chips on a Sunday, something indelibly imprinted in my psyche since a youngster. We often do have fish and chips for Sunday lunch as we live near the sea, but don't often get a chance to enjoy it, besides driving by it. At least having lunch by the beautiful beach can be a way to soak in the sea, sand, shoreline, seagulls and smells.

But today was a Yum Cha kinda Sunday. Looking around the restaurant enjoyed seeing all different kinds of families all enjoying food and time together. The noisy chatter of families making merry. Made me smile on the inside as well as the out, for the joy that food brings. Imagine life without food? Eating together is such a social activity, and many a family gathering focuses on food. Cherishing our Yum Cha memory making moments as a family and sharing them with you. If you haven't tried Yum Cha give it a go.