Dian Sum More: An Interactive Dim Sum Experience
BYND RECT I (24/25)
BFA Design
Outline
Dim sum, a cornerstone of Guangdong’s culinary heritage, is known for its variety, communal experience, and rich history. However, non-Chinese diners often face challenges like unfamiliar dishes, complex menus, and a lack of customization, limiting their ability to fully immerse in this cherished tradition.
Our project, Dim Some More, combines traditional dim sum culture with modern technology to create an innovative, user-friendly dining experience. By embedding touchscreens into dining tables, diners can browse a visually dense menu with images and descriptions, receive personalized recommendations based on preferences, and even engage in interactive games while waiting.
Through user-centric research and iterative testing, we discovered that simplicity, accessibility, and inclusivity were key to addressing the needs of diverse diners. The result is a seamless integration of technology and tradition, making dim sum dining intuitive, engaging, and culturally enriching for all.
Team: Y3Z
Story
In Guangdong, dim sum is more than just a meal—it’s a way of life. Tea houses bustle with chatter, and steaming bamboo baskets bring families and friends together. For non-Chinese diners, however, this rich cultural experience can feel daunting due to unfamiliar dishes, complex menus, and language barriers.
Our journey began with an ambitious idea: to create an interactive dining table for a molecular gastronomy restaurant. After initial research, we pivoted to dim sum dining, realizing the potential to address these barriers while celebrating its cultural heritage.
We conducted two rounds of interviews, gathering insights from both Chinese and non-Chinese diners. Non-Chinese diners expressed a strong interest in dim sum but highlighted challenges like dietary restrictions and limited menu understanding. These insights shaped our solution: an interactive touchscreen table for dim sum restaurants.
The touchscreens feature a visually rich, intuitive menu with multi-language options and dietary customization. Personalized recommendations help diners confidently explore new dishes, while fun mini-games keep the experience lively. From scouting locations and coordinating shoots to designing and refining features, our team worked collaboratively to bring Dim Some More to life.
This project bridges the gap between tradition and innovation, ensuring that diners from all backgrounds can savor the joy of dim sum with ease and curiosity.