After a day of travel and exploration, it's natural to feel the need for comfort. For me, there's nothing better than a hot and delicious plate of dim sum to rejuvenate and energize me. This Cantonese delicacy is integral to the culture and is enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The art of enjoying dim sum with hot tea is known as "yum cha," a practice followed widely in East Asian cultures. There are many ways to eat dim sum. It can be enjoyed steamed, with soup, and even fried. If you're in Hong Kong, here are some of the best dim sum places you shouldn't miss.

　　Yan Toh Heen

　　Yan Toh Heen is a Michelin-star restaurant specializing in different dim sums. The chefs at Yan Toh Heen prepare fresh dim sum every day. Among the wide variety, their shrimp-based dim sums are considered best-selling. The translucent-skinned dim sums, filled with succulent shrimp, are served with piping hot chilli oil and soy sauce. Yan Toh Heen’s barbeque pork buns are another one of their best-selling dishes. These delicious, soft, and fluffy buns filled with sweet, barbecued pork are widely enjoyed and one of Cantonese cuisine's staple dishes. Yan Toh Heen also serves vegetarian options. Their vegetable dumplings, filled with carrots, edamame, and tofu, are a favourite among many vegetarian customers.

　　Location: 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong

　　Yum Cha

　　Yum Cha is another place in Hong Kong that is well-known for serving authentic Cantonese cuisine. It serves a wide range of dim sums, buns, spring rolls, and other items. Its best-selling items include chicken and pork steamed soup dumplings, steamed pork rice rolls, and steamed vegetable dumplings. Besides its delicious Cantonese dishes, Yum Cha is also known for its Instagram-worthy interiors, made of brick and rose gold accents, and fun dish presentations.

　　Location: Shop 1-2, 2/F, Nan Fung Place, 173 Des Voeux Road Central, Central Direction Sheung Wan MTR Exit, Hong Kong

　　Dragon King

　　In New Town Plaza Mall, Hong Kong, Dragon King is famous for serving mouth-watering Cantonese cuisine. Even though Dragon King is unlike other quintessential Cantonese-style restaurants, it is still a favourite among many locals and travellers. They are well-known for serving unique dim sum dishes such as molten custard buns with pumpkin and dumplings with wild mushrooms. Their translucent pork "Har Gow dumplings" are a local favourite. They come with a sauce made up of water chestnuts and bamboo shoots. Besides dim sums, Dragon King serves other comfort foods such as congee, roast meats, noodle soups, etc.

　　Location: Dragon King, New Town Shopping Mall, Sha Tin, Hong Kong

　　Spring Moon

　　Since its inception in 1986, Spring Moon at The Peninsula has been a beacon of exquisite Cantonese cuisine in the city. The restaurant offers an array of top-tier dim sum, including steamed shrimp dumplings with bamboo shoots, baked barbecued pork puffs, and steamed turnip cake with dried shrimps and assorted air-dried meats, all enhanced with their signature X.O sauce. To elevate your dining experience, pair your meal with a selection of premium Chinese teas, expertly curated by Spring Moon’s tea masters, ensuring an unforgettable culinary journey.

　　Location: 1/F, The Peninsula Hong Kong, Salisbury Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong

　　The Kitin

　　The Kitin is renowned for its innovative, high-end Cantonese cuisine that masterfully blends Eastern and Western culinary techniques. Led by head chef Wayne, who has refined his skills in Japan, France, and Italy, the culinary team at The Kitin uses a variety of exotic ingredients to craft their unique dishes. Guests can indulge in extraordinary creations like croissants with golden X.O sauce, steamed lobster dumplings in chicken broth shaped like koi fish, and baked Japanese snow crab shell adorned with 24-karat gold leaf.

　　Location: Shop C, 101/F, International Commerce Centre (ICC), 1 Austin Rd W, West Kowloon, Hong Kong

　　Hong Kong Cuisine 1983

　　Hong Kong Cuisine 1983 offers an authentic taste of local Hong Kong dishes, showcasing the culinary expertise and creativity of executive chef Silas Li and his team. With decades of experience in fine dining, they present beautifully crafted dim sum and other Cantonese specialties. Notable items on their dim sum menu include intricately sculpted swan-shaped turnip puff pastries filled with conpoy and Chinese celery, Shanghainese pork-stuffed soup dumplings, and minced beef pies with melted cheese encased in flaky pastry.

　　Location: 1/F, Elegance Court, 2-4 Tsoi Tak St, Happy Valley, Hong Kong