How the First-Ever Dim Sum Cart Toy Came to Life

Ever wonder how the very first dim sum cart toy came to market? It wasn’t the product of a big toy company or a corporate brainstorming session. Instead, it started with a simple classroom wish — one that turned into a mission to bring cultural representation into playtime.

Inspired by a love for dim sum and a desire to share it with the next generation, the My Kids Dim Sum Cart was born. Let’s dive into the inspiration behind this unique toy.

A Classroom Wish Turned Inspiration:

The dim sum push cart idea came from preparing a circle time activity for my son’s classroom. I wanted a hands-on way for children to engage with the lesson, as young children learn best through play. While there were books and toy food available, there was nothing that truly captured the interactive experience of a dim sum meal. That’s when I started envisioning a push cart toy to bring the experience to life.

Sharing Culture in a Cooperative Preschool:

As part of a cooperative preschool, parents are encouraged to step into the classroom and share aspects of their culture and experiences. I chose to introduce dim sum, a tradition that holds a special place in my heart. Dim sum, meaning “choose what your heart wants,” is all about sharing small plates of food with loved ones. It’s a beautiful way and social study topic to introduce young children to different cultures and traditions through a familiar and enjoyable concept: mealtime.

Personal Experience with Dim Sum & Cultural Shifts:

Growing up in Brooklyn, I noticed that many of my middle school friends had never heard of dim sum. I even felt hesitant and ashamed about eating certain dishes, like tripe, in front of others. However, times have changed. Dim sum is now more widely recognized, with felt toys, storybooks, and even board books introducing it to young children. Despite this growing awareness, I found that many — including my son’s teachers — were still unfamiliar with the tradition. This reinforced my belief that dim sum deserved more visibility, especially in early childhood education.

Bringing Dim Sum to the Classroom:

For a classroom visit with my son’s class, I read a storybook about a girl enjoying dim sum with her family, helping the children connect with the experience through storytelling. To make the lesson even more immersive, I brought homemade coconut milk pudding, a popular dim sum dessert, for everyone to taste. Seeing my son, his friends, and his teachers engage with the experience was incredibly rewarding. It reminded me that dim sum is more than just food — it’s a tradition that fosters connection and joy.

Why a Dim Sum Push Cart Toy?

The push cart is an essential part of the dim sum experience. It keeps the food hot while allowing diners to see and choose their dishes, creating an interactive and communal dining experience. Servers push the cart from table to table, offering customers a chance to engage and order in a fun, visual way. My son loves ordering his favorite dim sum in Cantonese, which also supports his language learning. A pretend play dim sum cart could bring this cultural and linguistic experience to more children, helping them explore new traditions through play. It’ll also help the next generation feel proud to eat dim sum in front of their friends and continue to learn about the culture.

Making the Dream a Reality:

I dreamed of a dim sum push cart toy for children who already have dim sum books and play food but lack the full experience. As a pediatrician, I understand the critical role play has in child development. When I met Yobe Qiu and learned about her vision to innovate the toy and book industry with an Asian American brand, I knew she had the expertise to bring this dream to life. We worked day and night for months to create the push cart to market. And I’m so happy to say we’ve done it! Now, the My Kids Dim Sum Cart is here, inspiring children to learn through play and celebrate culture in a hands-on, joyful way.

On the left is Stephanie Lee, mother of the dim sum cart, and on the right is Yobe Qiu, who brought the cart to market, with creator Stephanie!