Yum Cha (2022) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Yum Cha is a board game released in 2022, designed by Quokka Jono and published by Quokka Games. It is a card game suitable for children and families, with a focus on hand management, matching, push your luck, and set collection mechanics. The game aims to provide an educational and fun experience for players aged 7 and above, with a runtime of 20-40 minutes.

Game Components of Yum Cha

100 cards: 97 game cards, 2 instruction cards, and sometimes a Golden Teapot collectable card in the First Edition.

Cards include dim sum items, tea cards, and takeaway cards.

Each dim sum card features Traditional Chinese characters with pinyin and jyutping.

How To Setup Yum Cha

To set up Yum Cha, each player is dealt 10 cards. The remaining cards are placed in a facedown deck on the table. A central discard pile is initiated once the game begins, where players will discard cards face-up.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Number of Players: 2-6 players.

Age: 7+.

Playtime: 20-40 minutes.

Objective: Collect 3 sets of dim sum cards and 1 pair of tea cards to be the first to shout “Yum Cha!” and end the round.

Gameplay:
– Players take turns drawing a card from either the deck or the central discard pile.
– After drawing, a player must discard one card from their hand face-up into the centre.
– Sets consist of three unique dim sum cards from the same tier (small, medium, big, dessert, special, super, or top).
– Duplicate dim sum cards cannot form a part of a set.
– Tea cards must be a pair of the same flavor.
– Special cards like takeaway cards allow scoring even if a player doesn’t complete their set.

Player Experience

Yum Cha offers a fun and strategic gaming experience. The game is easy to pick up but involves enough strategy to keep players engaged. The adorable anthropomorphic food items add a charming touch, making the game enjoyable for both children and adults. Players become competitive as they strategize which cards to keep and discard, aiming to complete their sets quickly while keeping an eye on their opponents’ moves.

Pros

Easy to Learn: Simple rules make it accessible to a wide range of players.

Strategic Depth: Enough strategy to keep the game engaging.

Adorable Design: Cute and personable card artwork.

Portable: Compact game box ideal for travel.

Educational: Includes Cantonese, Chinese, and Mandarin names to help players learn different languages.

Cons

Dependence on Luck: Some cards, like special dim sum, can significantly affect the game, introducing an element of luck.

Limited Complexity: May not appeal to players seeking highly complex games.

Font Size Issue: Some players find the jyutping font smaller than the pinyin, which can be a minor annoyance.

Personal Thoughts on Yum Cha

Yum Cha is perfect for families, casual gamers, and anyone who enjoys dim sum and tea. It’s an excellent choice for game nights or travel due to its compact size and quick playtime. The game’s ability to educate players about different Chinese languages adds an educational layer, making it a great option for parents looking to introduce their children to new cultures. Overall, Yum Cha is a delightful and engaging game that promises fun and a bit of culinary culture.

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