PUBLISHED May 16th, 2023 06:00 am | UPDATED June 30th, 2023 10:43 am
It’s no secret that Singaporeans love our dim sum. Xiao long bao, crystal dumplings, chee cheong fun, BBQ pork buns – there’s no tiring of the wide variety of bite-sized joys that a good dim sum place can offer. Whether you’re craving a frills-free supper spot or splurging at an upscale restaurant, here’s where to find the best dim sum in Singapore.
Upscale Indulgence
Man Fu Yuan
With their masterful showcase of classic Chinese culinary techniques, combined with modern interpretations of quality ingredients, Man Fu Yuan serves up a bounty in their Weekend Dim Sum Buffet. Feast on signature morsels like the Crispy Soft Shell Crab and Poached Prawns, before diving into a selection of baked, steamed, and pan-fried dim sum. Highlights include wok-fried Radish Cake, Prawn and Pork Siew Mai topped with tobiko, crispy Prawn Beancurd Roll and more. Save space for some luscious Honey-glazed Pork Belly and corn-fed Chicken in Rose Dew Wine. Free-flow prosecco with your dim sum feast comes at a pocket-friendly S$38.80++ per person.
Man Fu Yuan is located at 80 Middle Road Level 2 InterContinental Singapore, Singapore 188966, p. +65 6825 1008. Weekend Buffet runs 11.30am-1pm & 1.30pm-3pm, priced at S$73++ per adult; S$40++ per child (Min 2 pax).
Tien Court
Housed in the elegant confines of Copthorne King’s Hotel Singapore, Tien Court captivates diners by combining authentic Cantonese cuisine with signature Teochew flavours. With the highly acclaimed Master Chef Lui at its helm, the exquisite lunch time Dim Sum menu pairs delicate delights, along with a sophisticated oriental ambiance and attentive service. Tuck into handcrafted specialities like the Deep-fried Glutinous Rice Dumpling with Minced Chicken (S$8.80++) and savour the best of Canto-Teochew flavours in the Steamed Crystal Dumpling with Yam Paste and Pine Nut (S$6.80++). Don’t miss the elevated dim sum favourites with the Steamed Black Truffle with Mushroom Dumpling ($7.20++) and the Deep-Fried Purple Sweet Potato (S$6.80++). For special occasions and celebrations, the restaurant also boasts five private rooms to choose from.
Tien Court is located at Level 2 of Copthorne King’s Hotel Singapore, 403 Havelock Road, Singapore 169632, p.+65 6318 3193. Dim Sum is available daily 12pm -2.30pm.
Xin Cuisine Chinese Restaurant
Hand-crafted by their in-house chef using the freshest ingredients; it’s no wonder that Xin Cuisine Chinese Restaurant is known for its authentic Cantonese dim sum experience and delicate small bites. Besides classic favourites like Har Gao (S$8.80) and Siew Mai (S$8.80), the award-winning restaurant also showcases its creative flair with innovative interpretations like the Pumpkin Dumpling with Seafood Filling (S$8.80) and the captivating swan-shaped Yam Dumpling with Chicken and Seafood Filling (S$6.80). Pair with Xin’s Signature dishes from the a la carte menu or end your meal on a sweet note with unique desserts like the Deep-fried Sesame Ball with Red Bean and Chocolate Liqueur Filling (S$9 for 3 pcs).
Xin Cuisine is located at Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium, 317 Outram Road Singapore 169075, p.+65 3138 2531. Dim Sum is available on Wed-Fri 11.30am-3pm, Sat -Sun 1st seating at 11.30am-1pm & 2nd seating at 1.15pm-3pm. Closed Mon and Tue.
Madame Fan
Dark-paneled, gilded, and gleaming with mirrors, Madame Fan is a sultry mod-Cantonese concept by prominent restaurateur Alan Yau. Escape your weekday grind and unwind over their Ultimate Dim Sum Lunch buffet (S$78++ per pax), available from Mondays to Fridays. You’ll find a range of elegant nibbles like Black Truffle Dumpling and Duck & Pumpkin Puff, along with meat and seafood dishes such as Steamed Seabass and Jasmine Tea Smoked Ribs.
Madame Fan is located at 32 Beach Rd, The NCO Club, Singapore 189764, p. +65 6818 1921. Open Mon-Fri 12pm–2.30pm & 6pm–10pm, Sat-Sun 11am–1pm, 1.30pm- 3.30pm & 6pm–10pm.
Mott 32
Renowned in Hong Kong for its progressive approach to regional Chinese cuisine, Mott 32 made quite the splash when it first hit our shores. This fine-dining restaurant gives dim sum classics a sumptuous makeover with creations in the dinner menu like Black Truffle Siu Mai (S$10 for two) with a quail egg nestled within, and Lobster Har Gow (S$32) with Yunnan ham. You can bet the Signature Crispy Sugar Coated Peking Duck Bun (S$12) practically melts in the mouth too. Check out our review here.
Mott 32 is located at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, B1-42/43/44, Galleria Level, Singapore 018956, p. +65 6688 9922. Open daily 11.30am -2.15pm, 5pm-9.30pm & 9.30pm -12am.
Wah Lok Cantonese Restaurant
For four decades, this Cantonese restaurant in Carlton Hotel Singapore has won a loyal, multi-generation following for its consistently superb afternoon dim sum. It’s a tough call picking from its extensive dim sum menu, but some fan favourites include Steamed Crab Meat & Egg White Dumpling (S$8) and silky Shark Fin’s Soup Dumpling (S$18 per person). For dessert, save space for the Baked Mini Egg Tart (S$6) with its creamy, fragrant custard.
Wah Lok Cantonese Restaurant is located at 76 Bras Basah Road, Singapore 189558, p. 6311 8188/6311 8189. Open Mon-Sat 11.30am–2.30pm & 6.30pm–10pm, Sun 11am–2.30pm & 6.30pm–10pm.
Hai Tien Lo
Hai Tien Lo is located at Level 3 Pan Pacific Singapore, 7 Raffles Boulevard, Singapore 039595, p. +65 6826 8240. Open daily 11.30am–2.30pm & 6pm–10pm.
Yan Ting
Staying true to tradition, Yan Ting in The St. Regis Singapore showcases Cantonese fine dining at its best. The Homemade Steamed Rice Rolls (S$12) are silky and supple, while the Oven-Baked Barbecued Pork Pastry ( S$8.80 for 3 pieces) falls apart in the form of savoury-sweet, sinful flakes on the tongue. On weekends, it’s worth splurging on the Dim Sum Brunch (from S$138++ per pax) to get a taste of their Cantonese dishes like Honey Glazed Barbecued Pork and Double-boiled Abalone Consommé.
Yan Ting is located at 29 Tanglin Road, The St. Regis Singapore, Level 1U, Singapore 247912, p. +65 6506 6887. Open Mon-Fri 12pm–2.30pm & 6pm–10.30pm, Sat-Sun 10.30am–12pm, 1pm -3pm & 6pm–10.30pm.
Summer Palace
The dim sum dished out by one-Michelin-starred Summer Palace at Conrad Singapore Orchard is as authentic as it gets, with veteran Dim Sum Chef Leong Kwok Sing at the helm. The Dim Sum menu is only available for lunch and features seasonal items like Butterfly Shaped Steamed Prawn Dumpling (S$10) and Deep-fried Lobster Roll with Prawn and Chicken (S$12). Enjoy it alongside classics such as Glutinous Rice and Baby Abalone (S$12) wrapped in Lotus Leaf and Baked Chicken Tart with Baby Abalone (S$10 per piece).
Summer Palace is located at 1 Cuscaden Road,Conrad Singapore Orchard, Singapore 249715, p. +65 6725 3288. Open Mon-Fri 12pm–3pm & 6.30pm–10.30pm, Sat-Sun 11.30am–3pm & 6.30pm–10.30pm.
Budget-Friendly Eats
Ju Signatures
Helmed by Chef Wong, a veteran Chinese cuisine chef, Ju Signatures bridges tradition and modernity with their masterful Dim Sum creations. The classic har gow gets a glow up in the Tri coloured Har Gow Gems (S$7.80), and deep-fried Golden ‘Lychee’ Balls (S$10.80) are transformed into Yuan Yang Love Swans on the plate. Other favourites include Dragon Beard Fresh Prawn Roll (S$7.80) and the flowy Salted-Egg Lava Buns (S$5.80).
Ju Signatures is located at 4 Maju Avenue, Serangoon Garden Way, Singapore 556682, p.+65 8876 7498. Open Tue -Fri 9am -2.30pm & 5.30pm -9.30pm. Sat -Sun 8.30am -5pm & 5.30pm -9.30pm. Closed Mon.
The Dim Sum Place
This Halal-certified gem swaps out pork-forward dim sum classics with duck for mouthwatering results. Their Baked Bun with Roasted Duck Filling (S$6.90) comes with a fluffy, sweet crust, while their Vermicelli Roll with Roasted Duck Char Siew (S$7.90) features silky layers of chee cheong fun enveloping tender duck. For dessert, their Cheese Tarts (S$5.90) are highly raved too. Throw in friendly service, and you can bet on this becoming a fast favourite.
The Dim Sum Place has various outlets throughout Singapore.
Sum Dim Sum
With its first outlet in Jalan Besar, the stellar dim sum haunt has now opened two more outlets – Punggol Container Park and Bedok – delighting fans of dim sum and karaoke. An unusual combination, the dim sum eatery has private rooms for guests to belt out their favourite tunes while having a yum cha feast. Standouts on the menu include the Signature Crispy Pandan Pork Bun (S$7.26) and the Tiffany Blue XL Prawn Dumpling (S$7.26) – plump dumplings that shine a bright blue thanks to butterfly pea flower colouring.
Sum Dim Sum has various outlets throughout Singapore.
Victor’s Kitchen
This dim sum place is about as close as you can get to an old-school Hong Kong tea house-style experience. The eateries are quite small, so be prepared to share tables at the Sunshine Plaza branch, or join the short queue at Chinatown Point during lunch hours. The fuss-free shop is popular for their Golden Egg Yolk Lava Buns and their Steamed Carrot Cake packs a punch with their house made XO sauce. You won’t find the usual steamed char siew buns here, instead the yummy flaky Bo Lo Char Siew Butter Buns takes its place on the menu.
Victor’s Kitchen is located at Sunshine Plaza and Chinatown Point. Please refer to the website for details.
Social Place
A dim sum chain hailing from Hong Kong, Social Place gives yum cha a quirky twist with modern offerings like Deep Fried Lobster Glutinous Puff (S$8.80). But they’re best known for their stunning sweets – you’ve probably seen their Charcoal Custard Bun (S$8.80) and Mahjong Jelly (S$6.80) making the rounds on social media. Just as eye-catching is the pillowy Steamed Rose Floret Bun (S$2.80) filled with red bean paste. Check out our review here.
Social Place is located at Forum The Shopping Mall, 583 Orchard Rd, #01-22, Singapore 238884, p. +65 8870 2288. Open daily Sun-Thur 11.30am–2.30pm & 6pm–9pm, Fri-Sat 11.30am–2.30pm & 6pm–9.30pm.
126 Dim Sum Wen Dao Shi
Need a late-night supper fix? 126 Dim Sum Wen Dao Shi has your back, with a Geylang flagship that stays open 24/7. This long-running dim sum stall whips up a sprawling array of traditional Hong Kong-style bites, from fluffy pork buns to crisp-fried chicken feet to Portuguese tarts. If you’re in the mood for something heartier, their stir-fried hor fun comes packed with wok hei.
126 Dim Sum Wen Dao Shi has outlets at 126 Sims Avenue, Singapore 387449, p. +65 6746 4757, and 1086 Serangoon Road, Singapore 328187, p. +65 6297 5032.
Red Star Restaurant
Time stands still at this nostalgic Chinese restaurant; from their red and dark wood themed decor, to the quintessential Dim Sum pushcarts, Red Star Restaurant looks exactly the same as when they first opened in the 70s. And just like in the past, you can find the pushcart with what you want to eat and they’ll stamp your food card. Although you will never go wrong with their classic har gow, siew mai options, do give their crowd favourites like roasted duck, fried banana prawn roll, and char siew buns a try.
Red Star Restaurant is located at 54 Chin Swee Rd, #07-23, Singapore 160054, p.+65 6532 5266. Open daily 8am-3pm & 6pm-9.30pm.
Top Image Madame Fan