8 best dim sum restaurants in Singapore that’ll leave you as stuffed as a dumpling
By Pinky Chng, -
The unique culinary tradition of dim sum started out as mid-afternoon snacks for weary workers and travelers on the ancient Silk Road.
Whether for a mid-afternoon high tea or weekend brunch ritual, here are the best dim sum restaurants in Singapore.
Classics like Deep-fried Beancurd Skin Roll with Prawn, Steamed Honey Glazed Pork Bun and more grace the menu together with more unique choices like Crispy Scallop Coated with Filo String. The value-for-money dim sum buffet – served on trolleys being wheeled around, just like the old times – even includes options like Baked Lobster with Cheese.
Peach Blossoms, Level 5 Marina Mandarin, 6 Raffles Boulevard 039594
When this Michelin-starred Hong Kong establishment first graced Singapore’s shores, patrons braved the snaking queues for hours for the Crispy BBQ Pork Bun (pictured) in particular. Now with 8 locations islandwide, you get amazing dim sum sans the waiting time. The outlet at Aperia Mall in Kallang is open till 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays!
Tim Ho Wan, Various locations
At Intercontinental Singapore, Man Fu Yuan’s dim sum, along with its general Chinese fare, is always dependably good. After a long absence, its wok fried radish cake with XO sauce ($18) is back on the menu, along with other creative dim sum. Tuck into its delightfully green har gau ($7) topped with gold leaf, mushroom-shaped mushroom bun with cabbage and shrimp ($6) and rice roll with shredded chicken, egg and lao gan ma chilli sauce ($10) and deep-fried purple sweet potato custard ball ($7).
Man Fu Yuan, 80 Middle Rd, Singapore 188966
Comforting dim sum favourites come in steamed, pan-fried, deep-fried varieties and more. Our reco: the steamed BBQ pork buns trump the baked ones. For sweeter options, the baked mini egg tarts take the cake. Plus, the kids get cute animal-shaped dim sum!
East Ocean Teochew Restaurant, #05-08/09 Ngee Ann City, 391 Orchard Rd 238872
Not a dim sum restaurant strictly speaking, but the Fullerton Bay Hotel’s Clifford Pier offers a fabulously good value dim sum weekend brunch ($49) that must be listed here. Not only is the sizeable range of dim sum served in a gorgeously luxurious setting with historic significance, but they also come to your tableside from traditional push trolleys. Complementing it is a fairly large buffet of local favourites, highlights of which are its laksa, popiah and radish cake.
The Clifford Pier, 80 Collyer Quay, 049326
Similarly, this modern Chinese restaurant at Grand Park Orchard Singapore serves up beautifully presented dim sum, but with a playful touch. Home in on their three- or four-course weekday dim sum set lunches (from $28) featuring over 10 types of dim sum, along with soup of the day, noodles or porridge and dessert. Or do Ladies Night every Thursday where $75 per person gets you a parade of endless booze (think wine, cocktails, beers and spirits) to complement a selection of free-flowing dim sum, such as black pepper shrimp pork roll, crispy duck roll and crystal prawn dumplings.
Dim sum brunch features over 40 items including dim sum, gourmet seafood and wok dishes, and a free-flow option of cocktails, champagne, wines and beer for $68.
Mitzo Restaurant & Bar, Level 4 Grand Park Orchard, 270 Orchard Rd 238857
Dim sum is served the old fashioned way here from push trolleys, but minus the din of traditional Chinese restaurants. The dim sum is equally nostalgic, including pan-fried carrot cake, deep fried yam puff with scallop and steamed BBQ pork buns. More items come from the kitchen, such as fried Teochew chive pancake and items featuring a more contemporary twist, such as mini black charcoal egg custard buns.
Min Jiang, Goodwood Park Hotel, 22 Scotts Rd 228221
If you’re tasked to impress corporate clients or placate a fussy mother-in-law, head to the ever-reliable Jade Restaurant at The Fullerton Hotel, where Masterchef Leong Chee Yeng’s elegant, contemporary dim sum is bound to impress. It’s more about artistry here than quantity. The recently launched weekend dim sum set menus (from $68 per person) starts with eight pieces of dim sum, including steamed abalone siew mai, osmanthus char siew bun, with deep-fried taro with mushrooms and truffles, followed by more substantial complementary dishes like the excellent wok-fried rice flour rolls with scallop in XO sauce and double-boiled fish maw. A six-course weekday dim sum set lunch ($58) is also available.
Jade Restaurant, 1 Fullerton Square 049178
This article was first published in The Finder.