History of Dim Sims in Australia
Origins of an Aussie Classic
The dim sim might look like a cousin of Chinese dim sum, but make no mistake, it’s a truly Australian invention. Its story begins in Melbourne during the 1940s, when the Chinese community was looking for ways to share their food with mainstream Australians. Traditional dumplings were tasty but too fiddly and small for local appetites. What was needed was something bigger, heartier, and built for mass appeal.
William Chen Wing Young’s Invention
Enter William Chen Wing Young, a Chinese-born restaurateur and entrepreneur. He spotted the potential in siu mai dumplings and decided to adapt them for Australia. His version was larger, peppery, and wrapped in a thick flour-based skin. Crucially, it was tough enough to handle steaming, frying, freezing, and bulk transport, perfect for a country that loved its takeaway.
Rising Popularity Across Melbourne
At first, dim sims were sold in Chinatown restaurants and through Wing Young’s factory. But their big breakthrough came when they found their way into fish and chip shops and footy grounds. Suddenly, you didn’t need to go into the city for Chinese food, you could grab a dimmie on the way home or at half-time. By the 1960s and 70s, dim sims had become a Melbourne staple, popping up in milk bars, canteens, and corner shops everywhere.
From Niche to Icon
Over time, the dim sim went from curiosity to cultural icon. South Melbourne Market dim sims built their own cult following. Shops like Moon Palace, Tai Wah, and Seven Stars added their own spin, and frozen packs appeared in supermarket freezers across the country. Dimmies were no longer just Chinese-Australian food, they were part of the Aussie diet.
A Cultural Legacy
The history of dim sims in Australia is about more than food. It’s a story of migration, adaptation, and community. The dim sim bridged cultures and, in the process, became one of Melbourne’s most recognisable street foods. Today, dimmies sit right alongside meat pies and lamingtons as a symbol of what it means to eat, and live, in Australia.
