Chilli Dim Sum Dip is the perfect Chinese dipping sauce for those who enjoy a little kick in life. There are only four ingredients, many of which most people will have in their larders. Soy sauce, vinegar, red chillies and sugar are the culprits. These four however combine to create an amazing dip with attitude. I leave the red chilli seeds in mine for that extra kick but remove them for a milder version.
Dim sum isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience. Each little basket unveils a new surprise – delicate dumplings, fluffy buns, and crispy spring rolls – all calling for the perfect dipping sauce to elevate the flavours. Enter the Chilli Dim Sum Dip: a tangy, spicy, and umami-packed concoction that brings your dim sum spread to life.
This dip begins with a bold burst of fresh red chilli, finely chopped to release its fiery essence. Combined with rice vinegar, it offers a sharp, tangy punch that complements the richness of steamed or fried dim sum. The addition of dark soy sauce deepens the flavour profile, lending a salty, slightly sweet umami base. A touch of sugar balances the mix, creating a harmony of flavours that lingers on the palate.
The preparation is as effortless as the dip is unforgettable. A quick heat allows the sugar to dissolve and meld with the vinegar, soy, and chilli, releasing an irresistible aroma. Once cooled, the vibrant liquid is ready to shine as the star of your dipping repertoire.
Pair this Chilli Dim Sum Dip with plump shrimp dumplings, scallion pancakes, or even crispy wontons. Its adaptability knows no bounds, making it an ideal companion for both traditional and creative dim sum variations. For spice enthusiasts, the dip can double as a marinade or drizzle over noodles and stir-fries.
Whether hosting a dim sum feast or enjoying a quiet meal for one, this dip transforms ordinary bites into flavour-packed delights. Its simple yet sophisticated blend of heat, tang, and savoury goodness makes it a go-to for anyone who loves a little kick with their meal. Give your dim sum a new dimension with this fiery dip – your taste buds will thank you!
Chilli Dim Sum Dip
Ingredients
- 1 fresh red chilli finely chopped
- 3 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 3 tbsp soy sauce dark
Instructions
- Pour the rice vinegar, soy sauce, sugar and the red chilli into a pan and heat until the sugar dissolves.1 fresh red chilli, 3 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp sugar, 3 tbsp soy sauce
- Remove from the heat and allow to cool.
- Pour into a dipping bowl and serve.
40 comments
It looks hot but has a superb flavour and ideal to serve with spring rolls.
Served this with homemade vegetable spring rolls and it was delicious. It will definitely become a regular in our house.
A delicious sauce that works with far more than just dim sum. We have also enjoyed it with grilled prawns.
Made this for a family dim sum night and everyone loved it. Definitely making it again.
Made this for friends and they all asked for the recipe. That is always a good sign!
My husband thought it was a little too hot, but I absolutely loved it. Next time I will make a milder batch for him.
Very tasty and easy to make. I left the chilli to stand for a while and found the flavour developed even more.
A little too salty for my taste, but adding a touch more sweetness helped. I will definitely make it again.
I would have liked a little more garlic, but that is just personal preference. It was still a lovely accompaniment to our meal.
I have tried several homemade dipping sauces, but this is one of my favourites. It has a lovely authentic taste.
Served it with crispy wontons and some grilled vegetables. A really versatile sauce that I will be making again.
A lovely recipe with a good balance of flavours. I might experiment with fresh ginger next time, but it was delicious as it was.
I thought the vinegar was slightly strong, so I would reduce it a little next time. The overall flavour was still very nice.
A lovely sauce with plenty of flavour. I added a squeeze of lime which gave it an extra freshness.
Lovely flavour and very easy to put together. I added a little extra chilli because we enjoy our food with a kick.
Really enjoyed this dipping sauce. It had a lovely balance of sweet, savoury and spicy flavours and went perfectly with our dumplings.
Lovely balance of flavours and just the right amount of heat for me. I wouldn’t change a thing.
This was absolutely delicious with steamed prawn dumplings. It tasted just like something we would order from our favourite Chinese restaurant.
A lovely homemade alternative to shop-bought sauces. Fresh, tasty and very easy to enjoy with lots of different foods.
Very easy to make and full of flavour. I let mine sit for about 20 minutes before serving and thought it tasted even better.
A fantastic addition to our homemade dim sum evening. Everyone enjoyed dipping and trying different combinations.
Really impressed with how much flavour comes from such a simple dipping sauce. Perfect for anyone who enjoys Chinese food.
I love Asian food and this sauce has all the flavours I look for. A little spicy, slightly sweet and wonderfully savoury.
I used this with prawn crackers and spring rolls as a starter. It disappeared very quickly.
A great combination of flavours and so much better than the bottled dipping sauces I usually buy.
We enjoyed this with homemade bao buns and crispy chicken. It brought everything together beautifully.
This has become my favourite sauce for homemade gyoza. It is quick, tasty and much better than anything from a bottle.
Really tasty, although I would add a little more chilli oil next time for extra warmth.
This was delicious with crispy chicken pieces. I also tried a little with noodles and was pleasantly surprised.
I made a double batch for a family gathering and it went down brilliantly. Everyone wanted to know what was in it.
Really good flavour, although I would probably use less chilli next time as it was quite fiery for me.
A delicious little sauce that really brings homemade spring rolls to life. The chilli gives it just enough warmth.
We had this with steamed dumplings at the weekend. It was so good that I ended up making another batch the following day.
Really nice dipping sauce. I found it slightly sharp, so next time I might add a little more sweetness.
I enjoyed this but would personally prefer a little more garlic. Otherwise, a lovely sauce that is worth making.
I added some finely chopped spring onions and thought they worked really well. A great little dipping sauce.
I love the sweet and spicy combination. It reminded me of some of the lovely dipping sauces I enjoyed while travelling in Asia.
Such a simple way to add extra flavour to a meal. We used it with chicken gyoza and it worked beautifully.
Made this to serve alongside crispy wontons and it was a huge hit. There wasn’t a drop left in the bowl.
This was perfect with pork dumplings. I particularly liked the combination of the chilli and vinegar.