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This apparel is an ankle-length close-fitting dress with a slit on one side. Traditionally, the sleeves of this costume are short (though many modern versions have long or quarter sleeves). What makes the garment look really beautiful is its collar style – the mandarin collar is a specialty. It is a round, stand-up collar worn close to the neck area. There is also a fastening across the right side of the upper chest area.  

History of Cheongsam  

Cheongsam dress has evolved a lot with time, and like the apparel itself, its history is equally interesting. The origin of this one-piece Chinese costume dates back to the 17th century when Manchu ruled China. It was during this period that chieftain Nurhachi established the banner system. The banner system acted as a structure for the organization of Manchu families into different administrative divisions. Manchu women wore traditional dresses, which came to be known as qipao (means, banner gown). Post-1636, it became mandatory for Han Chinese men under the banner system to wear changpao, which is considered the male version of qipao. 

In Shanghai during the 1920s, the apparel gained immense popularity and was mainly adorned by upper-class women and celebrities. In 1929, China declared it as one of the official national attires. However, in 1949, with the commencement of Communist Rule, the popularity of cheongsam declined as traditional ideas were being erased. The people of Shanghai carried this garment to British-controlled Hong Kong (where there was a considerable Chinese population), and it gained immense popularity there. 

By S.T. , CC BY-SA 4.0, Link

Hong Kong then adopted this apparel as a uniform for the service industry since the 1960s. With the reunification of Hong Kong and China in 1997, the popularity of cheongsam experienced a boom. American and western designers made different versions of the costume, and gradually, it became a dress with a style statement. 

Cultural Importance of Cheongsam 

Cheongsam has prominent significance in Chinese culture and identity. Ask any older Chinese woman in the country, and you will know that they consider this attire as an elegant and dignified formal dress, reflecting their ethnic and traditional roots. On the other hand, the younger lot treats this apparel more as a fashion statement instead of considering it an ethnic-cultural marker. This is the reason they love to adorn the modern variety of qipao. It helps them in standing out in the crowd and is suitable for their busy lifestyles too. 

Modern Cheongsam 

Modern cheongsams are available in different styles, materials, and shapes. Although some variations have been made in the attire, certain distinguishing and iconic features are retained, like the side slits, mandarin collar, and the asymmetrical opening. The buttons and the collar design of the qipao have also been retained as it represents the cultural identity.  

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While the traditional style is body-hugging, the current trend is of A-line cut. In modern times, the costume is paired with jeans, western-style pants as well as skirts. You can widely see this style in America and many western countries. Italian silk and French lace are also used to make the garments look vibrant and beautiful. High heels go very well with a cheongsam dress. 

Cheongsam Wedding Dress  

You are surely going to fall in love with a Cheongsam wedding dress. In the majority of the cases, red is the dominant color for Chinese wedding attire for women; however, some women prefer white, as well. This apparel is also adorned at weddings in Hong Kong and Shanghai. One can choose from multiple shades of red. Moreover, the styles of traditional cheongsams also vary. Generally, high-quality Chinese silk is used in the making of these wedding apparel adorned with pankou knots. The perfect use of lace gives these costumes a fairytale kind of appearance. Hand embroidery in golden color makes them bright and dazzling.  

Cheongsam Mini Dress 

Cheongsam mini dresses are pretty popular among modern women in America, Asia, and Europe. These can be worn to parties, informal meets, and at various events. The majority of these attires are crafted in luxurious silk, satin, or velvet. Intricate embroidery work is common, along with lacework and traditional buttons and knots. The style of the sleeves of these qipaos vary from one another – choose the one which suits you best. While some of these costumes maintain their conventional style, others have evolved as a fusion of various modern styles and trends. With proper accessories and the right attitude, women can be the center of attraction in any event or gathering in this mini dress.  

By Koichiro Ohba, CC BY 2.0, Link

Cheongsam Prom Dress 

Dressing up to look gorgeous for prom is every girl’s dream. How about making this event special by wearing something that perfectly represents your ethnic and cultural heritage and individuality? Well, if you are from Shanghai, Hong Kong, or China, you can never go wrong with a cheongsam prom dress. The qipao not only symbolizes cultural pride, but it also comes with an excellent flattering fit. Flaunt your curves in style with this fashionable attire. The side slit enables smooth mobility and ensures that you hit the dance floor without worrying about any discomfort.  

You can choose materials like silk or satin for proms as they are light and easy to carry. Go playful with the colors and designs – after all, it is prom night! And most importantly, do not forget to adorn the right accessories to complete your look and style statement. Pair with high heels, and you are ready to rock! 

By N509FZ, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link

Whether you are based in America, China, London, or Argentina, you must definitely give it a try if you are yet to wear a cheongsam to date. With the lovely fit, the beautiful colors, embroidery, and the varieties of styles and designs, you will surely be a showstopper at any event. This traditional garment for a Chinese woman has made a grand entry into the fashion world today, albeit with variations! 

What is Dim Sum?

According to history, when the government banned opium dens, travelers along the Silk Route in China would often halt at local teahouses to get some rest. The local farmers would also frequent these teahouses for a cup of good tea and have some conversation with the travelers who would stop there. Tea aids the process of digestion, and some small dishes, along with it, enhance the tea-drinking experience. This was the reason the teahouses started serving small snacks. Thus, was born the tradition of the dim sums, and the rest is history.

Today, Chinese dim sum dishes around the world have several variations and different fillings, including vegetarian versions, but the authentic dim sums are still the way to go in China.

How to order Dim Sum?

The Chinese Dim Sum is available everywhere, from small local shops to fancy restaurants. Although it is typically a brunch meal, it can be consumed anytime during the day. More and more people have started ordering them as entrees before a meal.

Since the culture of dim sums started with tea, the first step to ordering a dim sum is selecting a tea. The most common teas preferred are Oolong, Jasmine, Bo Lei, and Sau Mei. The person who is in the closest vicinity of the teapot is the one to pour the drink in everyone else’s cup before filling his own. 

If your teapot requires a refill, you must take the lid off and let the pot rest at one side of the table. The waiters will know what you want and get you your refill. Then comes the fun part, ordering the dim sum. There is no dim sum menu. The waiters come out of the kitchen with carts, which are pushed around from table to table. You can survey a little and see what other tables are having before you decide what you want to have. You can choose your pick as the cart of dim sum dishes passes you, and the waiter will unload the dish on your table. They will then add the ones you have selected to your bill. 

A lot of the fancier restaurants do not take this approach and take your order in advance from a dim sum menu. This approach, while not as much fun, helps prevent wastage from leftovers.

How to make Dim Sum?

Making a dim sum requires skill and patience, and home cooks start with just one or two fillings. The professional chefs in China sometimes take years to master the skill of making a dim sum.

There are six basic skills involved in making a dim sum:

• Preparation
• Rice noodle rolls, filled with meat
• Steaming
• Deep-frying
• Making the filling
• Making the dumpling with the dough

Restaurants typically follow an assembly line and divide the work among the teams. According to the history, Chinese cooking is the most diverse cooking and requires immense skill. A chef is judged in his dim sum making skills by tasting his shrimp dumplings, also known as ‘har gow’. They are the most difficult to master, as their dough is made from sticky rice flour and keeps on falling apart. The pleats along the outer edges of the dish denote how skilled the chef is, with 12 or more pleats indicating a master chef.

Eight popular Dim Sum dishes

Shrimp dumplings – har gow

The har gow, as mentioned above, is the toughest to make. It is also the most popular dish on the dim sum menu. It is served in a bamboo steamer, and the dish itself is a thin translucent coating filled with shrimp chunks.

Barbeque Pork Buns – Char siu bao

As the name suggests, these dumplings consist of barbeque sauce, along with shallots and pork, and they are either baked or steamed. This dish is very popular as a takeaway dish that people can eat on the go.

 Rice Noodle Rolls- Cheung Fun

Rice noodles, one of the best and easiest dishes, are steamed and hand-rolled, then filled with shrimp, beef, pork, eggs, and sometimes with a non-meat filling such as fried dough. The dumpling is topped with soy sauce to enhance its taste.

Sui Mai

These dumplings are different from the others on the dim sum menu. The filling is usually exposed at the top, and the dumpling is basket-like. The filling is pork or shrimp, with a hint of fish or crab on top. These are served after steaming. 

Mango Pudding

This is a dim sum dessert and is different from all other dumplings. With filling consisting of fresh and sweet mangoes, the pudding is a light and refreshing dish to end a meal.

Egg Tart

Another sweet dim sum dish, the mango tart, is a flaky pastry tart, filled with sweet custard, which is rich in texture. The origin of the egg custard occurred in Macau.

Soup dumplings

These dim sums are incredibly delicate and fragile. These are steamed and served in a bamboo steamer. The filling of the dumpling is a hot broth, along with some pork. The soup dumplings are famous throughout China, but they are especially popular in Shanghai.

Chicken Feet- Fung Jeow

One of the crispiest dishes, chicken feet can be ordered either deep-fried or stir-fried, based on your preference. The chicken is then marinated and steamed. The flavor of the dish comes from the marinade, which is essentially oyster sauce or black bean sauce.