Best Dim Sum Dishes for Fall and Winter Comfort

As the weather cools and sweaters replace t-shirts, our cravings shift. We want warmth, richness, and dishes that hug us from the inside out. For fans of Chinese cuisine, few things satisfy seasonal cravings better than winter dim sum. Steaming baskets, braised bites, and slow-cooked comforts—fall and winter are when dim sum reveals its coziest side. If you’re seeking fall Chinese food that’s both traditional and deeply comforting, these dishes are the ones to seek out when the temperatures drop and your appetite rises.

Lo Mai Gai (Sticky Rice in Lotus Leaf)

This dense, savory parcel of glutinous rice filled with chicken, Chinese sausage, and mushrooms is the quintessential cold-weather dish. Wrapped in fragrant lotus leaf and steamed until everything melds together, lo mai gai is warming and filling without being heavy. It’s one of those cozy dim sum staples that feels like a meal within a meal—perfect for fall mornings and winter brunches alike.

Turnip Cake (Lo Bak Go)

Pan-fried until golden and crisp outside, with a soft, daikon-rich center, turnip cake is a comfort classic. The addition of dried shrimp, sausage, or scallions gives it a savory depth that pairs beautifully with chili oil or XO sauce. As fall Chinese food goes, it’s hard to top the contrast of textures and flavors you get from this humble but satisfying dish.

Spare Ribs with Black Bean Sauce

These bite-sized pork ribs are marinated and steamed until tender, coated in a rich black bean sauce that brings both umami and a hint of bitterness. Served piping hot in a small dish, they’re ideal for sharing and perfect for colder days when you want something deeply savory. This is winter dim sum at its stick-to-your-ribs best—no pun intended.

Chicken Feet (Fung Zao)

Not for everyone, but for those in the know, chicken feet braised in black bean and garlic sauce are a cold-season delicacy. Gelatinous and packed with flavor, they’re often simmered for hours, resulting in a texture that’s both tender and complex. Rich in collagen and deeply warming, they’re a favorite among dim sum regulars during winter months when heartier dishes feel right at home.

Baked Char Siu Bao (BBQ Pork Buns)

Unlike their steamed cousins, baked char siu bao have a golden, glossy crust and a slightly sweet, brioche-like dough that encases savory barbecue pork. There’s something about the buttery warmth of the baked version that makes it especially satisfying in fall and winter. Think of it as the Chinese equivalent of a meat-stuffed dinner roll—soft, filling, and ready to warm your hands and stomach.

Beef Meatballs (Ngau Yuk)

These tender, steamed beef meatballs are often served on a bed of tofu skin or bean curd. Infused with water chestnuts and scallions, they’re juicy without being greasy, and they offer the kind of quiet comfort that defines the best cozy dim sum dishes. On a gray day, nothing hits quite like a plate of these, paired with a hot cup of oolong tea.

Egg Tarts (Dan Tat)

Yes, they’re dessert. But they also happen to be one of the most comforting things on the dim sum cart. Served warm with a flaky crust and custard center just set, egg tarts are a fitting end to a fall dim sum feast. Their subtle sweetness and silky texture make them feel especially indulgent in cooler months, when warm pastry feels more like a need than a want.

Tofu Skin Rolls in Broth

Often overlooked, these rolls of bean curd skin wrapped around pork or vegetables and steamed in broth offer quiet, nourishing depth. The rolls soak up every bit of savory liquid, delivering bites that feel slow-cooked and restorative. If you're exploring winter dim sum with a focus on comfort and subtlety, this is a must-order dish.

Warming Teas to Match

Every cozy dim sum spread deserves the right tea to go with it. For fall and winter, pu-erh offers an earthy warmth that stands up to richer dishes. Oolong brings nutty complexity, while ginger chrysanthemum blends add spice and herbal balance. Whatever you choose, sip slowly and let the tea set the rhythm of your meal—especially when cold air lingers outside.

Dim Sum That Feels Like a Blanket

Winter dim sum isn’t just about tradition—it’s about comfort. It’s a celebration of warmth, texture, and togetherness, shared over steam and stories. Whether you’re warming your hands with a baked pork bun or braving a bowl of chicken feet, these fall Chinese food favorites offer more than just flavor. They remind us of the joy of gathering, of slowing down, and of savoring simple pleasures in the coldest months of the year.

So the next time the temperature dips, skip the soup and head to the steamer. A table full of dim sum can be the warmest place in the room.