Dim Sum in Bamboo Baskets

Bamboo steamers cover a busy wooden table, each basket holding a different kind of dim sum. Pale buns, translucent shrimp dumplings, yellow shumai and pleated soup dumplings sit beside chili oil, chopsticks and blue patterned tea cups. Warm light brings out the bamboo rings and the table grain without hiding the delicate wrappers.

Basket rims are the strongest guides because their circles overlap at several heights. Dumpling pleats give each group its own rhythm, from soft buns to folded green-filled pieces. Sauce bowls add dark red pools that stand apart from the pale food. Porcelain patterns, chopstick angles and woven lids help place the outer sections of the table.