Grab your chopsticks for the finest dim sum in Singapore!
Dim sum, yum cha – call it what you want, but the debate never ends. Which restaurant has the best dim sum in Singapore? We think the ultimate way to spend a lazy, indulgent weekend is to go for an ultra long dumpling session. As much as we love our cafe fare, dim sum is still our go-to comfort food for an array of small bites. Here are the best places to get your dim sum fix…
Dim sum in Singapore: Affordable Hawker Spots
1. Ji Tuo Hong Kong Style Dim Sum
Dim sum with a view! Tucked away on the ninth level of a building in Bukit Batok, this hawker stall is a little out of the way, but well worth the journey. The friendly couple behind the counter have over 70 years of restaurant experience between them, so you’re in for a treat. You’ll find the usual dim sum suspects like siew mai, har gao, and fried carrot cake.
Ji Tuo Hong Kong Style Dim Sum, prices start at $3 per dish, #09-18, Skytech, 2 Bukit Batok Street 24, Singapore 659480; Monday to Thursday, 7am to 3pm; Saturday to Sunday, 7am to 2pm, closed on Tuesday
2. Kuai San Dian Xin
Kuai San Dian Xin’s dim sum offerings go at $1.50 for a plate– we say it’s quite a steal! Visit Kuai San Dian Xin’s 24-hour outlets at multiple locations around Singapore. Expect the usual suspects with over 30 affordable dim sum items including siew mai, chee cheong fun, chicken feet, carrot cake and more.
Kuai San Dian Xin, prices start at $1.50 per dish, multiple locations including Ang Mo Kio and Bedok North; daily, open 24 hours
3. Hong Kong Mongkok Dim Sum
If you’re craving dim sum on a dime, Hong Kong Mongkok Dim Sum is the place to be. The hawker stall whips out hot favourites like char siew bao, prawn cheong fun, har gow and siew mai. It’s truly bang for your buck.
Hong Kong Mongkok Dim Sum, prices start at $3.50 per dish, #02-097, Chinatown Complex, 335 Smith Street, Singapore 050335; Wednesday to Sunday, 11am to 5pm
4. Tang Tea House
Everyone knows Jalan Kayu for prata and teh tarik. But if you’re in need of something different, Tang Tea House offers fried chicken, crispy fried noodles and giant glasses of its signature drink, the Super Cooler (young coconut with a shot of wheatgrass). Of course, it also has a wide range of halal dim sum classics. If Jalan Kayu is a little out of the way, check out the other branches in Bedok and Changi.
Tang Tea House, prices start at $3 per dish, multiple locations including Jalan Kayu (Sunday to Thursday, 11am to 1am; Friday to Saturday, 11am to 2am), Changi Village (Sunday to Thursday, 11am to 11pm; Friday to Saturday, 11am to 1am), and Bedok (Sunday to Thursday, 11am to 1am; Friday to Saturday, 11am to 2am)
5. Dim Sum Haus
Did you know there’s another fuss-free yum cha spot in Jalan Besar? Just a stone’s throw away from dim sum powerhouse Swee Choon, Dim Sum Haus is the perfect alternative if the former gets too crowded (which is very often). From steamed and fried delights like crispy mee sua kueh with Chinese sausage to baked treats such as Portuguese egg tart and BBQ pork bun, you can expect the usual suspects at affordable prices.
Dim Sum Haus, prices start at $3.20 per dish, 57 Jalan Besar, Singapore 208809; Tuesday to Sunday, 9.30am to 10.30pm
6. 126 Wan Dou Sek Dim Sum
This hangout in Geylang is famous for its dim sum, particularly the siew mai and chee cheong fun. In fact, it’s quite an establishment, serving dim sum since 1985. Other dishes include steamed glutinous rice with groundnuts, kimchi rolls, Hakka olive porridge and crab tang hoon.
126 Wan Dou Sek Dim Sum, prices start at $3.50 per dish, multiple locations including Geylang (daily, 11am to 5am) and Boon Keng (daily, 6pm to 2am)
7. Kow Loon Hong Kong Dim Sum
Located at an unassuming coffee shop in Ang Mo Kio, Kow Loon Hong Kong Dim Sum boasts over 50 handmade dim sum dishes. You’ll find all the usual dim sum fare here, with tons of classics in Hong Kong and Shanghai style. Try the har gow, prawn chee cheong fun, salted egg yolk bao or century egg and pork congee for a simple yet satisfying meal.
Kow Loon Hong Kong Dim Sum, prices start at $4.20 per dish, #01-3030, 151 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5, Singapore 560151; daily, 8am to 8pm
Dim sum in Singapore: Nice and casual eateries
8. Ju Signatures
For Cantonese wok-fried delights, head to Ju Signatures for your dim sum fix. It blends both tradition and modernity into our local food culture. This spot is helmed by chef Wong who boasts over three decades of culinary experience and is a veteran when it comes to Chinese cuisine. The tasty dim sum delights here are all handmade, and you can even ask for portions to be adjusted for your group size. No more overordering!
Ju Signatures, prices start at $4.80 per dish, Serangoon Gardens, 4 Maju Avenue, Singapore 556682; Monday to Friday, 9am to 2.30pm & 5.30pm to 9pm; Saturday to Sunday, 8.30am to 4.30pm & 5.30pm to 9pm
9. Red Star Restaurant
Have your dim sum with a side of history! Red Star is run by the remaining chefs of the Four Heavenly Kings of Cantonese cuisine – a group that gained fame and multiple culinary awards in the 1970s. These are the same guys responsible for inventing the famous Singapore dishes we eat so regularly today: chilli crab, yam ring and yusheng.
Today, Red Star is considered one of the more traditional and nostalgic restaurants for dim sum. For starters, it still employs traditional cart-pushing dim sum ladies like those in Hong Kong. The restaurant layout and recipes have remained unchanged since its opening more than 40 years ago. It’s truly the experience of ordering char siew bao and century egg congee from pushcarts and stations that you’re here for!
Red Star Restaurant, prices start at $5.70 per dish, #07-23, 54 Chin Swee Road, Singapore 160054; Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 3pm & 6pm to 10pm; Saturday to Sunday, 8am to 3pm & 6pm to 10pm
10. Swatow Seafood Restaurant
Don’t let the name fool you. If you’re craving authentic Teochew-style dim sum and seafood, hop over to one of its outlets. Star dishes include Teochew five treasures crystal dumplings and the adorable goldfish dumplings. If you’re ready for a feast, the dim sum high tea buffet will fill you up nicely.
Swatow Seafood Restaurant, prices start at $30.80 for the buffet, #02-602, Toa Payoh Mall, 181 Lorong 4 Toa Payoh, Singapore 310181; available daily, 3pm to 5pm
11. Myo Restobar
Dim sum is served for lunch and dinner, though it’s not the main bulk of the menu. The claypot braised chicken is the star of Myo but we have a few favourites from the dim sum selection. The steamed siew mai with mushroom, and crispy red bean pancake are just as delicious on the ‘gram and in your mouth. Another standout? The NZ tenderloin pastry. You know what to do!
Myo Restobar, prices start at $7.20 per dish, #19-01, Oxley Tower, 138 Robinson Road, Singapore 068906; Sunday to Friday, 11am to 3pm & 5.30pm to 9.30pm
12. Social Place
Since it hails from the land of dim sum aka Hong Kong, you know you can’t go wrong with these guys. Using a playful and creative approach, the dim sum dishes are totally ‘gram-worthy. For instance, the small pig pudding comes in the shape of a – wait for it – a wobbly pig. Adorable! Other novelty delights include mahjong jelly and rabbit pudding.
Social Place, prices start at $8.80 per dish, #01-22, Forum The Shopping Mall, 583 Orchard Road, Singapore 238884; daily, 11.30am to 2.30pm & 6pm to 9pm
13. Victor’s Kitchen
Despite being located pretty centrally in Chinatown and Bencoolen, this is probably the city’s best-kept secret. The signature carrot cake in XO sauce is a must-order – don’t share the small-ish bowl if you’re really hungry. Other standouts include king prawn dumplings and xiao long bao.
Victor’s Kitchen, prices start at $6.20 per dish, multiple locations including Sunshine Plaza (Sunday to Thursday, 10.30am to 8pm; Friday to Saturday, 10.30am to 9pm) and Chinatown Point (daily, 10.30am to 9pm)
14. Din Tai Fung
Din Tai Fung is a classic, but for kid-friendly dim sum, we think it’s the best. Play it safe with xiao long bao, noodles, fried rice or other dumplings. Save the chicken feet, beef tripe and other adventurous stuff for when they’re older and game enough to take on a bigger palate.
Din Tai Fung, prices start at $6.30 per dish, multiple locations including Wisma Atria (Sunday to Thursday, 11am to 9pm; Friday to Saturday, 11am to 9.15pm) and Paragon (Sunday to Thursday, 11am to 9pm; Friday to Saturday, 11am to 9.15pm)
15. Canton Paradise
Under the Paradise Group, which boasts other great Chinese restaurants, Canton Paradise is an all-day dim sum paradise. Wolf down classics like siew mai, pan-fried radish cake, char siew bun and xiao long bao. While you might be stuffed to the brim, we highly recommend you order from the roasted meat menu. One word: divine.
Canton Paradise, prices start at $6.60 per dish, multiple locations including Bedok Mall (Monday to Friday, 11am to 10pm; Saturday to Sunday, 10.30am to 10pm) and The Star Vista (Monday to Friday, 11am to 10pm; Saturday to Sunday, 10.30am to 10pm)
16. Tim Ho Wan
Here’s your chance to get Michelin star-worthy dim sum. And it’s surprisingly affordable! Don’t leave without trying the 4 Heavenly Kings – it’s the resto’s signature char siew bun, chee cheong fan with pig’s liver, pan-fried carrot cake, and steamed egg cake.
Tim Ho Wan, prices start at $7.10 per dish, multiple locations including Plaza Singapura (Monday to Friday, 11am to 9.30pm; Saturday to Sunday, 10am to 9.30pm) and Jewel Changi Airport (Monday to Friday, 11am to 10pm; Saturday to Sunday, 10am to 10pm)
17. The Dim Sum Place
These guys have whipped out a great halal option for all dim sum lovers and those craving authentic Cantonese cuisine. Chef recommendations include crystal shrimp dumpling, baked bun with roast duck filling, handmade beancurd with chicken and salted fish, and the delectable salted egg custard bun. It’s one of the best halal dim sum spots in Singapore, we’d say.
The Dim Sum Place, prices start at $3.90 per dish, multiple locations including North Bridge Road (Monday to Thursday, 11am to 3pm & 5.30pm to 11pm; Friday to Saturday, 11am to 2am; Sunday, 11am to 11pm) and Changi City Point (Monday to Thursday, 10.30am to 9.30pm; Friday to Sunday, 10am to 10pm)
18. Kai Garden
Tip: if you don’t want to wait hungry, remember to make reservations at this busy spot. Once you get a table, spare no time starting with the signature appetisers – think honey Kurobuta pork, deep-fried squid, and marinated jellyfish. Then, move on to the baked, fried and steamed dim sum. You’ll be spoilt for choice with over 25 items that’ll fill you up nicely.
Kai Garden, prices start at $8.50 per dish, #03-128A/128B, Marina Square, 6 Raffles Boulevard, Singapore 039594; Monday to Friday, 11.30am to 3.30pm; Saturday to Sunday, 11am to 4pm
19. Swee Choon Dim Sum Restaurant
Dim sum is typically a tea time snack, but Swee Choon is no typical dim sum restaurant. Popular with the young crowd, it opens ’til late at night, serving Cantonese and Shanghainese small bites. Pile on the steamed goodies like Szechuan dumplings in chilli oil, classic shrimp har gow, and chee cheong fun (rice noodle rolls drenched in a sweet soy sauce). A personal tip: go with an empty stomach – it’s easy to over-order!
Swee Choon Dim Sum Restaurant, prices start at $5 per dish, multiple locations including Jalan Besar (Wednesday to Monday, 7am to 4am) and Changi Airport (open daily, 24 hours)
Dim sum in Singapore: Swanky restaurants
20. Peach Garden
Oh, the swooshing soup. Sure, Peach Garden is one of the fancier Chinese restaurants in town, but the delightful soupy dumplings are out of this world. Got a mid-week craving? Douse it with XLBs at the daily dim sum brunch promotion. Trust us, it’s entirely worth it. Bring a friend, too – someone will need to roll you back to work.
Peach Garden, prices start at $52 per adult for the dim sum buffet, multiple locations including Chinatown Point (Monday to Friday, 11am to 10pm; Saturday to Sunday, 10.30am to 10pm) and OCBC Centre (Monday to Friday, 11am to 3pm & 5.30pm to 10pm; Saturday to Sunday, 11am to 3pm & 5pm to 10pm)
21. Cherry Garden
Searching for dim sum with a twist? Cherry Garden offers authentic Cantonese cuisine with modern interpretations. Expect unique items like crystal dumplings with black truffle, steamed Iberico pork ribs with black bean sauce, steamed xiao long bao and more. What do we love most about it? The dim sum brunch, where you really can go for that fourth round of dumplings.
Cherry Garden, prices start at $10 per dish, Mandarin Oriental Singapore, Marina Square, 5 Raffles Avenue, Singapore 039797; Monday to Friday, 12pm to 2.30pm; Saturday to Sunday, 11am to 3.30pm
22. Madame Fan
Madame Fan adopts a modern take on Cantonese classics and we’re totally here for it. Every piece is exquisitely prepared with attention to detail. For the utmost indulgence, check out the dim sum lunch for xiao long bao, Szechuan prawn wontons, pork congee, and sesame prawn toast. Don’t forget to end it off with sweets like the salted egg yolk custard bun and glutinous rice ball.
Madame Fan, prices start at $7 per dish, The NCO Club, 32 Beach Road, Singapore 189764; Monday to Friday, 11.30am to 2.30pm; Saturday to Sunday, 11.30am to 3pm
23. Crystal Jade
Crystal Jade is a restaurant that comes to mind when someone says the magic words, “dim sum buffet”. It got major praise in our office poll for best xiao long bao. With multiple outlets in the city, it’s one of the more convenient spots to make a beeline for, especially if there’s one at your heartland mall. Must-try dishes include har gow (steamed prawn dumplings), siew mai with fish roe and carrot cake.
Crystal Jade, prices start at $5.80 per dish, multiple locations including Takashimaya (Monday to Friday, 11am to 10pm; Saturday to Sunday, 10.30am to 10pm) and VivoCity (Monday to Friday, 11am to 2.30pm & 6pm to 9.30pm; Saturday to Sunday, 10.30am to 3pm & 6pm to 9.30pm)
24. Mott 32
This swanky restaurant in Marina Bay Sands proves that the communal yum cha experience can be fancy. The tea time menu swings from Australian wagyu beef puff and king prawn har gow to crispy sugar-coated Peking duck bun and Iberico pork siew mai. For bragging rights, get your hands on the famed barbecue Ibero pork glazed with yellow mountain honey. It tastes as good as it sounds!
Mott 32, prices start at $10 per dish, #B1-42 to 44, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, 2 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018956; Sunday to Thursday, 11.30am to 3.45pm & 5pm to 11pm; Friday to Saturday, 11.30am to 3.45pm & 5pm to 12am
25. Taste Paradise
Dubbed “Chinese cuisine with a difference”, Taste Paradise offers an elaborate menu of fine Cantonese and contemporary Chinese cuisine with an impressive array of the finest and most innovative dim sum and roast meats. You’ll want to try the famous XO carrot cake!
Taste Paradise, prices start at $7.80 per dish, #04-07, Ion Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, Singapore 238801; Monday to Friday, 11am to 3pm; Saturday to Sunday, 10.30am to 4.30pm
26. Man Fu Yuan
The mod-Chinese restaurant offers a weekday dim sum menu, but wait till the weekend for the dim sum buffet. Try the crispy prawn bean curd roll with mayonnaise, pan-fried radish cake, spinach prawn dumpling, honey-glazed pork buns and up to 40 picks for you to enjoy during a weekend dim sum brunch. But don’t ignore the appetisers, mains, roasts, congee, noodles, and rice dishes.
Man Fu Yuan, prices start at $9.80 per dish, Level 2, Intercontinental Singapore, 80 Middle Road, Singapore 188966; Monday to Friday, 12pm to 3pm, Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays, 11.30am to 3pm
Ah, all that dim sum goodness; now you know the best spots in Singapore.
