"A fusion of dim sum and craftsmanship brings Guangdong’s intangible cultural heritage into everyday life"
In an inspired blend of tradition and innovation, Chua Lam’s Dim Sum (蔡澜点心) has launched an ambitious new campaign to reimagine Guangdong-Hong Kong dim sum culture through the lens of intangible cultural heritage.
In collaboration with the Beijing Minyi Institute of Intangible Cultural Heritage and national-level master Yang Yurong, the brand is transforming dining into a cultural dialogue—infusing culinary aesthetics with centuries-old artistry, and creating immersive spaces where food and heritage meet.
Reviving Tradition Through Taste
As intangible cultural heritage (ICH) becomes increasingly relevant to younger generations, Chua Lam’s Dim Sum leads the way by proving that heritage is not a relic, but a living practice.
Their philosophy? True cultural transmission lies not in static preservation, but in creative transformation. Dim sum, with its roots in daily life and its deep ties to Guangdong’s identity, becomes the perfect medium to bridge past and present.
On April 18, the brand officially partnered with the Beijing Minyi ICH Institute and ICH lantern master Yang Yurong to launch a multidimensional upgrade—from food to space to cultural products. Their goal: to make heritage more visible, touchable, and delicious.
22 Dishes Reimagined, 1 Cultural Mission
Themed 'Old Vibes, New Tides,' the campaign sees 22 dim sum dishes carefully reinvented, reflecting both classical roots and contemporary flair. Five signature creations and ten must-try items headline the menu, showing how timeless flavors can evolve into new expressions.
Highlights include:
Crispy Pineapple Sweet and Sour Pork, which redefines a Cantonese staple with golden crunch and tender layers
Charcoal-Grilled Pork Jowl, featuring prized 'Golden 6-Liang' cuts paired with tangy Thai sauce
Crispy Fermented Beancurd Chicken Wings, where the umami punch of fermented tofu meets juicy, aromatic meat
These dishes are more than flavor innovations—they’re edible embodiments of Lingnan cultural DNA. Each bite becomes a conversation between generations.
From Dining Room to Living Heritage Space
Between April 18 and May 6, Chua Lam’s Dim Sum is turning its restaurants in Shanghai Xintiandi and Shenzhen’s Kingglory Plaza into immersive cultural arenas.
Together with Yang Yurong, the team presents an interactive ICH Lantern Exhibition, spanning both cities. Two series—traditional lanterns and city-inspired creations—transform the space into a glowing gallery of craftsmanship.
A master of the Foshan lantern art since the Southern Song Dynasty, Yang has spent over 60 years perfecting everything from bamboo framing to gold-painted flourishes. Her influence has brought this once-local tradition to national prominence.
In this exhibition, classical motifs such as golden dragons, pagodas, and phoenixes radiate with vivid color and movement, while special Shanghai- and Shenzhen-themed designs blend local city spirit with the elegance of dim sum culture.
In Shenzhen, the experience goes one step further: a hands-on lantern workshop, where diners can create their own pieces under Yang’s guidance. This 'exhibit + interaction' model brings ICH from the museum into modern life.
Culture You Can Take Home
Beyond the plate and the décor, Chua Lam’s Dim Sum has also created six limited-edition ICH-themed blind box fridge magnets, developed in collaboration with the Beijing Minyi Institute and designed by Yang herself.
The collection reinterprets Foshan lantern artistry in miniature form, featuring styles such as the Flower Tang Yun Lantern, Peony Bud Lantern, Hexagonal Celebration Lantern, Peacock Lantern, Victory Lantern, and Pagoda Lantern.
During the promotion period, guests who spend over RMB 220 can receive one blind box magnet set. There’s even a hidden surprise variant to spark curiosity.
These palm-sized keepsakes offer a stylish, everyday way to engage with heritage—whether displayed on a fridge or tucked into a desk corner. They mark a quiet but powerful shift: from conscious preservation to organic, joyful living culture.
A New Aesthetic for Cultural Transmission
Through food, space, and objects, Chua Lam’s Dim Sum has created a multi-sensory, emotionally resonant experience that transforms the simple act of 'having dim sum' into a cultural celebration.
The brand proves that true cultural preservation isn’t about replication, but activation. By blending 'the soul of old tides' with 'the shape of new tides,' it makes intangible heritage truly tangible—in taste, touch, and memory.
Here, every cup of tea and every steamer basket becomes an elegant nod to the past, and a meaningful gesture toward the future.
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