Dim Sum Per Person Calculator
Ordering or making dim sum? Estimate pieces, baskets and the number of different dishes per person for a snack or a full yum cha meal.
How it works
Pieces per person = 14 meal / 7 snack × appetite · Total = round up(per person × people) · Baskets = pieces ÷ 3.5 · Variety ≈ 2 + people × 1.2 dishes
Dim sum is eaten in small shared pieces, so the useful unit is pieces per person, not plates. A full yum cha meal runs to about fourteen pieces each — four or five baskets shared around a table of four — while a lighter tea stop is closer to seven. Each basket holds three to four pieces, which sets the number of baskets. The pleasure of dim sum is variety, so aim to order more different dishes as the group grows rather than doubling up on the same steamer; a table of four typically enjoys six or seven distinct dishes.
Worked example
A full yum cha for 4 with normal appetites: 14 pieces each × 4 = 56 pieces, roughly 16 baskets, spread across about 7 different dishes so everyone gets variety.
Frequently asked questions
How many pieces are in a basket?
Usually three or four. Steamed dumplings like har gow and siu mai typically come in threes or fours, which is why sharing works best in even groups.
Should I order more dishes or more of each?
More variety. The joy of dim sum is trying many things, so as the group grows, add different dishes rather than repeating the same steamer.
Is dim sum filling?
Surprisingly so — the dumplings are dense with filling. Fourteen pieces is a genuine meal, so start with the snack figure if you are unsure and order more as you go.
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This calculator is for educational purposes. Double-check important results before acting on them.