Nutrition Values of Dim Sum Dishes by Discover Financial Services

As a half-Cantonese foodie, dim sum holds a special place in my heart! I often enjoy dim sum dishes for breakfast or brunch, accompanied by warm Chinese tea and the lively chatter of a bustling tea house.

This visualization features lotus-inspired charts that celebrate the beauty of Eastern culture and the nutritional value of 30 signature dim sum dishes. Each nine-petal lotus represents a dish, with petals corresponding to different nutrients. The petal color indicates how the dish’s nutrient content compares to the daily intake recommendations by the United States Food and Drug Administration. In simpler terms, darker (or more purple) petals signify higher nutrient values.

To add a personal touch, I highlighted my favorite dim sum dishes with light green circles. This feature invites viewers to explore these dishes, compare their own favorites with mine, and spark conversations about what makes certain dishes unique or appealing. This interactive element encourages cultural and culinary connections, making the visualization more engaging.

The lotus motif was chosen for its deep roots in Eastern culture and its connection to dim sum, as ingredients like lotus root and paste are commonly used in these dishes. This visual immediately evokes the essence of the cuisine while drawing viewers into the data’s cultural context.

This work has been recognized for its innovative and engaging approach. Tableau Public selected it as Viz of the Day in February 2024, showcasing its ability to leverage Tableau’s flexibility and capacities as a data visualization tool. Additionally, it was featured by DataViz community leader Andy Kirk in the third edition of Data Visualization: Handbook for Data-Driven Design. These are examples of how the work adheres to best practices while creatively adapting the rules to deliver a captivating visualization.

Created using Tableau and Figma, this piece honors my heritage and introduces my favorite food to the broader audience. The data was sourced from a research paper published by the HK Government Centre for Food Safety.

I hope you enjoy exploring the flavorful world of dim sum through the lens of my culture!