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12 Affordable Dim Sum Places In Singapore That Won’t Hurt Your Wallet

Editorial — Tue, 13 Apr 2021 02:08:34 +0000

When it comes to Chinese food, every one of us has a soft spot for dim sum—or yum cha as it is commonly referred to in Hong Kong. A classic Cantonese delight that is commonly enjoyed with hot tea—hence the term ‘yum cha’ which translates to ‘drinking tea’ in Cantonese—who can resist waking up to likes of steaming hot, meat and seafood-stuffed morsels of goodness.

Many folks may argue that the best (and most affordable) dim sum can only be found in Hong Kong or Guangzhou but we beg to differ. In fact, you can just as easily find some of the best and cheapest dim sum delights right here in Singapore.

As much as we love our cafe-style brunches, there is just something about dim sum that still makes it our ultimate go-to comfort food. Here is our list of 12 dim sum places in Singapore that will not hurt your wallet but will have you thoroughly satisfied nonetheless.

Photo Credit: charbao

JOHORE YE ZHI MEI HANDMADE BAO

Situated just a stone’s throw away from the esteemed Swee Choon Dim Sum is Johore Ye Zhi Mei Handmade Bao, which serves a wide array of tasty and affordably priced dim sum, 24 hours a day from Tuesdays to Sundays.

Besides their signature giant handmade bao, Ye Zhi Mei, that they are best known for, they also offer interesting spins on dim sum such as Bean Curd Dumpling, Salted Egg Siew Mai and Century Egg Siew Mai.

208 Jalan Besar
Singapore 208894
Tel: +65 6294 2210

Photo Credit: chillingsaint

LAI KEE

Lai Kee has 5 outlets in Singapore, and they are all traditional, old-school dim sum stalls located in nondescript coffee shops. They offer endless dim sum options, including your typical Siew Mai and Har Gow.

Though portions are relatively small, most items are affordably priced, so rest assured that you can feast on dim sum without burning a hole in your wallet at Lai Kee.

126 Lor 1 Toa Payoh
Singapore 310126

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Photo Credit: qqingg

SHI WEI XIAN HONG KONG DIM SUM

Shi Wei Xian Hong Kong Dim Sum is a place where east-siders flock to for unpretentious and delectable dim sum. Their traditional handmade dim sum is priced at an average of just S$3, and this includes the classics such as the humble char siew bao, chee cheong fun and siew mai.

Oddly, they are only open on weekends and they usually sell out pretty early so be sure to head over earlier to beat the crowd!

119 Aljunied Avenue 2, #01-06
Singapore 380119

YI DIAN XIN HONG KONG DIM SUM

If you ask a resident of Kovan where you should head to for excellent dim sum without burning a hole in your pocket, Yi Dian Xin Hong Kong Dim Sum is the place to go. You are very likely to find a basket of their signature Liu Sha Bao on every table because no one leaves without a taste of that buttery salted egg yolk goodness.

If you are looking for more items to share, the humble stall also has other classic dim sum dishes such as har gao, xiao long bao, char siew rice roll and siew mai.

1012 Upper Serangoon Road,
Teo Seng Eating House
Singapore 534750
Tel: +65 9168 5587

TIONG BAHRU PAU

Offering value-for-money dim sum across a few outlets in Singapore, Tiong Bahru Pau is where you can get Cantonese-style buns and other dim sum items that range from S$0.80 to S$2 per piece.

Be sure to get the crowd-favourite char siew bao which is filled with large chunks of tender pork and a rich barbecue sauce that makes every mouthful ever so flavourful.

32 New Market Road
01-1038 People’s Park Food Centre
Singapore 050032
Tel: +65 6222 7656

KOW LOON HONG KONG DIM SUM

What makes Kow Loon Hong Kong Dim Sum stand out from their competitors—apart from the cheap prices (less than S$4 per serving)—is the fact that they offer dim sum with a twist.

Get started on Spicy Sour White Chicken Feet as a cold appetiser and continue your feast with Steamed Cheong Fun that is filled with prawns, char siew, Enoki mushroom and many more.

151 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5
#01-3030
Singapore 560151
Tel: +65 9685 9371

Photo Credit: Mongkok Dim Sum

MONGKOK DIM SUM

At Mongkok Dim Sum, you can have dim sum for breakfast, tea and even supper! Open throughout the day, the dim sum joint has a plethora of choices that mostly fall below S$5.

The Char Siew Chee Cheong Fun, Pan-Fried Carrot Cake and Yam Pastry with Meat Filling come highly recommended.

214 Geylang Road
Singapore 389274
Tel: +65 8484 8829

VICTOR’S KITCHEN

Victor’s Kitchen is best known for its classic Liu Sha Bao, which features molten, creamy salted egg yolk lava oozing out upon your first bite into their fluffy white buns.

While their custard buns are hands-down the crowd-favourite, make sure to try out some of the other offerings while you are there, such as the Tasty Queen-Sized Siew Mai and Golden “Bo Lo” Char Siew Butter Buns.

91 Bencoolen Street
Sunshine Plaza, #01-49
*Singapore 189652
Tel: +65 9838 2851

(*Victor’s Kitchen has another outlet at Chinatown Point)

DIM SUM HAUS

This Dim Sum treasure place is located in the heart of the Jalan Besar neighbourhood. The unique dim sum served here is one of the reasons why customers keep coming back for more!

Their one-of-a-kind Charcoal Siew Mai, made fresh upon ordering, have already captured the attention of many. It comes in a set of 3, with each one encompassing a whole shrimp. Topped with prawn roe, the additional texture of the dish stands out from regular Siew Mai.

57 Jalan Besar
Singapore 208809
Tel: +65 6909 0777
Tues to Sun: 11.30am – 3 pm, 5.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Jalan Besar

KUAI SAN DIAN XIN

True to its name, every single dish here is priced at the unbelievable cost of S$1.30.

One of the cheapest dim sum places in Singapore, Kuai San Dian Xin is popular for their Custard Pau and Carrot Cake. The Custard Pau has a rich buttery filling and your teeth will literally sink into the soft skin of the pau. However, do not expect the custard to flow out of the bun like regular custard paus in the market, the filling is more solid than liquid.

However, the prices are consistent with the portion of the dishes and one can definitely eat up to seven or eight dishes alone! But considering that it will add up to only about S$10, it is still a great deal!

21 Woodlands Close, Level 1
Singapore 737854
Daily: 24 Hours
Nearest Station: Woodlands

Photo Credit: Hong Kong Zhai Dim Sum

HONG KONG ZHAI DIM SUM

Since Hong Kong Zhai Dim Sum was founded in 1988, it has offered Singaporeans a taste of Hong Kong with its wide array of authentic and affordably priced dim sum choices. Many customers go back for their signature Lo Mai Kai, Chee Cheong Fun and Beancurd Skin Rolls.

Out of the different Chee Cheong Fun that they offer, the shrimp-filling one is by far the best of them all. Not only can one taste the freshness of the shrimps, but it is also impossible to resist the silky rice roll that neatly ties the dish together. Splashed with a generous serving of savoury sauce, the dish is complete.

3017 Bedok North Street 5
Singapore 486121
Tel: +65 6748 4893

LEGENDARY HONG KONG

This place is the perfect replica of Hong Kong itself. A lot of effort has been made to give off a ‘Mongkok vibe’. This place is a hit for those who not only want dim sum, but also a feel of Hong Kong. Every detail from the paintings on the walls to the tiled flooring plays a role in transporting you from Singapore to Hong Kong in a split second.

The price is a steal for the amount of food that is served with each portion. Their Milk Tea and Red Bean Ice has just the right amount of sweetness to brighten up your day, but at the same time not overpower you with too much sugar. These drinks pair well with the eatery’s Pork Ribs in Black Bean Sauce. The ribs are soaked with flavours of the sauce and are best eaten with steaming hot rice or congee.

63 Jurong West Central 3, #03-80
Jurong Point Shopping Centre
Singapore 648331
Tel: +65 6794 1335

Read our guide on the best dim sum restaurants in Singapore.

12 Dim Sum Delivery Options In Singapore With Islandwide Delivery

Melissa Teo — Tue, 12 May 2020 03:35:33 +0000

Missing your weekly yum cha sessions with your family? Or have you just been craving for some dim sum? The Chinese-style delicacy features an assortment of bite-sized portions of food such as dumplings, buns and fried fritters that are served in little bamboo baskets. Unfortunately, unless you’re a pro in the kitchen, these morsels of joy aren’t easy to do up yourself.

Thankfully for us, there are many dim sum restaurants in Singapore that will be offering islandwide deliveries for dim sum during the Circuit Breaker period.

From the famous Swee Choon to the underrated Yi Dian Xin, we’ve got all your dim sum delivery needs covered. While we will have to do without the bamboo baskets and the experience itself, this shall suffice for now.

DIM SUM HAUS

Tucked away a few streets down from the highly-raved about Swee Choon is Dim Sum Haus, a small, underrated dim sum shop that serves up affordable yet amazing dim sum. We feel that this place is a strong rival to Swee Choon as their dim sum is really good and affordable at the same time. Thankfully, they do islandwide dim sum delivery during this period!

Be sure to get their Baked Salted Egg Custard Bun (S$5.40 for 3 pieces), Pan Fried Mushroom Bun (S$5.30 for 3 pieces) and Hak Kam Kai Siew Mai (S$4.70 for 3 pieces).

Stay home and order from their website. Free islandwide dim sum delivery for orders above S$50. For orders below S$50, delivery charges depend on your location.

Photo Credit: Hong Kong Zhai

HONG KONG ZHAI HOUSE OF DIM SUM

Situated in a corner of Ang Mo Kio is Hong Kong Zhai House of Dim Sum, a popular dim sum eatery. Here, they sell fresh, hand-made dim sum that will not cost you more than S$10 for a substantial (and beyond satisfying) portion.

Aside from delivering freshly steamed dim sum like their BBQ Pork Bun (S$2.20 for 2 pieces), Siew Mai (S$3.80 for 3 pieces) and Beancurd Skin Roll (S$3.30 for 3 pieces), they also have a range of Ready-To-Cook frozen dim sum that you can store and prepare yourself. These include Xiao Long Bao (S$7.60 for 6 pieces), Prawn Dumplings (S$8 for 6 pieces) and Creamy Custard Bun (S$6.40 for 5 pieces).

Order from their website. Free islandwide dim sum delivery for orders above S$100. For orders below S$100, delivery charges depend on your location. Minimum order is for dim sum delivery is S$38.

Photo Credit: Kow Loon Hong Kong Dim Sum

KOW LOON HONG KONG DIM SUM

Another stall that is located at Ang Mo Kio is Kow Loon Hong Kong Dim Sum. They’ve been dishing out delicious and affordable baskets of Hong Kong and Shang Hai dim sum for over 30 years, which is testament to the quality of their dim sum. Now, you can enjoy their dim sum at home as they will be doing islandwide delivery for dim sum.

For the Circuit Breaker period, they will be selling frozen dim sum that you can steam and prepare yourself at home whenever you like. Examples of dim sum you can order include their Freshly Handmade Frozen Har Gow (S$14 for 12 pieces), Freshly Handmade Frozen BBQ Pork Bun (S$5 for 6 pieces) and Freshly Handmade Frozen Glutinous Rice (S$6.80 for 2 pieces).

You can Whatsapp 9387 8612 / 8498 3161 for islandwide dim sum delivery. Delivery charges depend on your location.`

Photo Credit: Lao Zi Hao Confectionery & Souvenirs

LAO ZI HAO CONFECTIONERY & SOUVENIRS

The dim sum at Lao Zi Hao has been painstakingly made by 4 bakers with over 30 years of experience and their menu has around 20 kinds of dim sum for you to choose from. Their dim sum is available for islandwide delivery during the Circuit Breaker.

There is an assortment of frozen and chilled dim sum ranging from Lotus Bun (S$10 for 12 pieces) and Steam Pork Ribs (S$16 for 800 grams) to Homemade Chee Cheong Fun with Char Siew Filling (S$10 for 8 pieces).

Call or Whatsapp 6743 4493 / 9728 4065 to get them to deliver you some dim sum. Free islandwide dim sum delivery for orders above S$80 and orders below S$80 will be charged S$8 per drop off point.

Photo Credit: Singapore Handmade Dim Sum

SINGAPORE HANDMADE DIM SUM

For years, Singapore Handmade Dim Sum has specialised in producing fresh dim sum that are all handmade with plenty of love. You can now taste it at home with their dim sum islandwide delivery services.

They will be delivering ready-to-eat dim sum to your door, including their Signature Royal Chicken Pau (S$3.80), Prawn Chee Cheong Fun (S$3) and Siew Mai (S$3).

Whatsapp 9655 1626 to order in some dim sum. Delivery charges for islandwide dim sum delivery range from S$6 to S$14 depending on your location.

SUM DIM SUM

This Tiffany blue-themed restaurant is a relatively new kid on the block and they serve an array of dim sum to satisfy your cravings. We recommend getting their Crispy Pork Bun and BBQ Pork Rice Rolls. While you can’t bask in the restaurant’s pretty interior, you can still enjoy their dim sum as they provide islandwide dim sum delivery services.

Sum Dim Sum is known for their Signature Crispy Pork Bun (S$6 for 3 pieces), BBQ Pork Rice Roll (S$4.90) and Shanghai Xiao Long Bao (S$5.50 for 4 pieces).

Call 9092 2662 / 9005 9381 to place your order. A minimum spend of S$50 is needed for islandwide dim sum delivery and delivery fees are kept at a flat rate of S$5.

SWEE CHOON

If you haven’t heard of Swee Choon, you’ve probably been living under a rock. Swee Choon is a well-loved supper spot and dim sum restaurant that people head to whenever their dim sum cravings strike. This place is famous for being open until the wee hours of the morning as well as their never-ending snaking queues. The good part of ordering in is that you can avoid the queues and wait at home.

Tuck into favourites such as Siew Mai (S$7.60 for 6 pieces), Steamed Pork Ribs (S$7.40 for 2 portions) and Rice Roll with Prawn (S$9.20 for 2 portions). They will also be having Dim Sum Party Sets for different group sizes so you can feed your whole family! Dim Sum Party Set A feeds 3 to 4 pax and costs just S$59 while Dim Sum Party Set C feeds 15 to 20 pax and costs just S$288.

There also have chilled and frozen options; just let the restaurant know after placing your order.

Get your dim sum fix by ordering from their website. There is a flat delivery fee of S$5 per location for islandwide dim sum delivery.

TANG TEA HOUSE

Tang Tea House is a Halal dim sum eatery at Simpang Bedok known for their budget-friendly, scrumptious dishes. Now, our Muslim friends can enjoy their dim sum at home during the Circuit Breaker period as they are doing islandwide dim sum delivery.

They are popular for their Shanghai Steamed Dumpling (S$5.56 for 4 pieces), Chicken Crispy Roll (S$6.31 for 3 pieces) and Lo Mai Kai (S$3.85 for 1 piece).

Satisfy your dim sum needs and place your orders on their website. There is free islandwide dim sum delivery for orders above S$50. For orders below S$50, a flat rate of S$5 applies. No minimum order is needed.

THE DIM SUM PLACE

Sitting along the old-fashioned shophouses that line North Bridge Road is Halal-certified The Dim Sum Place. The dim sum restaurant doles out good Cantonese dim sum with a creative local twist that will allow you to sample a unique mix of flavours in a single meal setting.

Do try their Molten Salted Egg Custard Bun (S$5.90), Spinach Dumpling with Shrimp (S$6.90) and Deep Fried Beancurd Skin Prawn (S$5.90).

Hurry and Whatsapp 9666 7420 or call 6655 8787 to place your orders. Free islandwide dim sum delivery for orders above S$50.

Photo Credit: Wong Chiew Restaurant

WONG CHIEW RESTAURANT

Despite being around for over a decade, this humble corner coffee shop hasn’t gotten much limelight; but trust us when we say that these folks are worth patronising. Aside from dishing out roast meat, noodles and their signature Kampung Chicken, they also have an extensive array of dim sum you can choose from for islandwide delivery.

Their dim sum delivery menu features Century Egg Siew Mai (S$3.20), Xiao Long Bao (S$3.70) and Pork Big Bin (S$2). They also have frozen options for dim sum delivery.

Get your frozen and fresh dim sum from their website or call 6456 6838. Free islandwide dim sum delivery for orders above S$60. Delivery charges depend on location.

YI DIAN XIN ISLANDWIDE DELIVERY

This hidden gem tucked away in Kovan serves fantastic dim sum that we feel is on par with many dim sum restaurants. Despite that, the prices here are cheap and affordable, so you can eat as much as you want without burning a hole in your pocket. Luckily, you can enjoy these wallet-friendly dim sum from the comfort of your home with their islandwide dim sum delivery!

We recommend getting their Steamed Carrot Cake (S$3), Signature Salted Egg Custard Pau (S$3.80 for 3 pieces) and Shanghai Xiao Long Bao (S$3.40 for 3 pieces).

Islandwide dim sum delivery is available on GrabFood. Delivery charges depend on your location.

Photo Credit: Yum Cha Restaurant

YUM CHA RESTAURANT ISLANDWIDE DELIVERY

Since 2000, Yum Cha Restaurant is a renowned dim sum restaurant that has been selling scrumptious dim sum at Chinatown, with the aim of bringing back the dim sum tea house concept in a shophouse setting. While you cannot enjoy your dim sum in such a nostalgic atmosphere, you can still enjoy their dim sum during the Circuit Breaker period by ordering in.

They have freshly steamed dishes such as Sakura Peach Bun (S$16 for 8 pieces), Signature BBQ Pork Bun (S$4.20 for 2 pieces) and Signature Fish Roe Siew Mai (S$5.20 for 3 pieces). If you prefer your dim sum frozen so you can store them for a later date, they have Yum Cha Prawn Dumpling (S$13.80 for 8 pieces), Crystal Chives Dumplings (S$12.80 for 8 pieces) and Deep Fried Prawn Beancurd (S$12.80 for 8 pieces) available for order.

There are also Dim Sum Sets that you can order to feed the masses. For instance, Dim Sum Set A which serves 8 to 10 pax and costs just S$99.80. For smaller families, you can opt for the Petite Dim Sum Set which serves 3 to 4 pax and costs just S$49.90.

Order your freshly steamed dim sum from their website. A minimum order of S$50 is needed. Islandwide dim sum delivery is at a flat rate of S$5.

An Insomniac’s Guide To What You Can Do At Night In Singapore When You Can’t Fall Asleep

Melissa Teo — Fri, 24 Jan 2020 16:44:19 +0000

The first thing that springs to mind when we mention Singapore’s nightlife is clubs, clubs and more clubs. For the hardcore partygoers out there, that may sound like plenty of fun but at the same time, a whole night of getting high and wasted may not be everyone’s cup of tea.

For those of you who would like a break from all the clubbing jios, we have some good news for you: Singapore’s nightlife does not just involve clubbing and there are a number of other fun and fulfilling activities that you can do at night in Singapore.

With that, here are a few of our favourite things to do when the sky turns dark and we can’t fall asleep.

Photo Credit: The Fun Empire

COSMIC BOWLING

You may have tried bowling, but have you tried cosmic bowling? It is a completely different experience altogether and we find it absolutely mesmerising to watch those neon-hued balls roll down the lanes. Get together a bunch of friends and challenge each other to see who gets a better score!

One place we recommend you to go to for cosmic bowling is The Fun Empire.

5B Guillemard Road
Level 3 Wing Fong Building
Singapore 399685
Tel: +65 6515 4146
Daily: 9am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Kallang

DON DON DONKI

The popular Japanese discount king store was all over the news in 2017 because they had finally opened an outlet in sunny Singapore. This megastore sells a plethora of things such as food, household items, makeup and novelty items. We also love how it is open 24-hours so that we can do some late night shopping when insomnia strikes.

Orchard Central, B1 & B2
181 Orchard Road
Singapore 238896
Tel: +65 6444 2422
Daily: 24-hours
Nearest Station: Somerset

EAT SUPPER

It would be a complete crime for us to leave out food from this list! Having supper is our number one favourite thing to when we can’t fall asleep at night and we are always on the lookout for places that open into the wee hours of the night to curb our hunger pangs.

One of our favourites, albeit mainstream, is the famous Swee Choon. Located in the heart of Jalan Besar, Swee Choon Tim Sum Restaurant is a humble dim sum eatery that offers a wide array of scrumptious dim sum that is affordably priced. Its long queues may be quite a pain but we promise you that it is well worth it!

Swee Choon Tim Sum Restaurant
191 Jalan Besar
Singapore 208882
Tel: +65 6225 7788
Mon to Sat: 11am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 6am
Sun: 10am – 3pm, 6pm – 6am
(Closed on Tuesdays)
Nearest Station: Farrer Park

Nestled within the folds of Bedok 85 Fengshan Centre is Chai Chee Pork Porridge, a humble porridge stall which is open till 2 am every day. They offer a selective but enticing range of porridge dishes, with their speciality being their pork porridge. A standard-sized bowl features a massive portion of velvety smooth porridge with a side of crispy dough fritters.

Chai Chee Pork Porridge
85 Bedok North Street 4
85 Fengshan Centre #01-23
Singapore 460085
Tel: +65 9672 0521
Daily: 5pm – 2am
Nearest Station: Bedok

Aside from the mentioned 3, Singapore has a plethora of other supper spots and 24-hour eateries that you can pay a visit to when cravings hit!

GARDENS BY THE BAY

Gardens by the Bay is absolutely gorgeous in the day but come night when the sky darkens, the park shows us another side of its beauty. Watch the majestic supertrees light up in all its glory and splendour, giving the entire park a lovely, warm glow. We feel that it’s the perfect place to escape to at night when you need some peace and quiet to reflect and rest.

18 Marina Gardens Drive
Singapore 018953
Daily: 5am – 2am
Nearest Station: Bayfront

HENDERSON WAVES

Henderson Waves is a bridge that stands 36 metres above Henderson Road and is Singapore’s highest pedestrian bridge. To see the bridge in a different light, you can come down at night from 7 pm to 2 am to watch the bridge become illuminated with mesmerising LED lights that give it a lovely, soft glow.

Henderson Road
Singapore 159557
Daily: 24-hours
Nearest Station: Telok Blangah

Photo Credit: The Mind Cafe

THE MIND CAFE

If you and your friends like playing mind-challenging games, The Mind Cafe would be a good place to check out. The cafe was started by a group of board game enthusiasts to encourage people to play more intellectual games. In our honest opinion, a night of board games sounds more interesting and intellectually stimulating than a night of clubbing.

60A Prinsep Street
Singapore 188664
Tel: +65 6334 4426
Mon to Thu: 2pm – 11pm
Fri: 12pm – 6am
Sat: 10am – 6am
Sun: 10am – 2am
Nearest Station: Bencoolen

MUSTAFA

Mustafa Centre is a 24-hour shopping mall that is a shoppers paradise; they have almost everything and anything that you could ever need or want. Packed head to toe with common things that you can find in your usual supermarket to oddities such as camel’s milk, Mustafa does not lack in any area.

145 Syed Alwi Road
Singapore 207704
Tel: +65 6295 5855
Daily: 24-hours
Nearest Station: Farrer Park

NIGHT SAFARI

Night Safari is a nocturnal animal paradise that offers a host of activities to dispel boredom of any kind. From its nightly interactive shows to tram rides and hiking trails around the compound, this place is also perfect for animal-lovers who think it’s too hot to pay a visit to the Singapore Zoo during the day.

80 Mandai Lake Road
Singapore 729826
Tel: +65 6269 3411
Daily: 7.30pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Marsiling

NINETEEN80

Nineteen80 is an 80′s-inspired arcade-pub conveniently situated in the CBD. What we love about this place is how aside from being a bar, they have an array of old school arcade games for you to reminisce the yesteryears. Some of the games they have are Space Invaders, Golden Axe, Puzzle Bobble and Street Fighter 2.

21 Tanjong Pagar Road #01-05
Singapore 088444
Tel: +65 9183 6073
Tue & Thu: 5.30pm – 1am
Wed, Fri & Sat: 5.30pm – 3am
(Closed on Sundays & Mondays)
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

PONG SINGAPORE

PONG Singapore at Clarke Quay doesn’t just have your usual beer pong. It is home to the first ever PongConnect beer pong table; a digital beer pong table that guarantees each round to be a fun and action-packed experience. Aside from that, you can also expect dart machines, an array of beers on tap, hand-crafted cocktails and scrumptious fusion-style food.

3B River Valley Road #01-17,
The Foundry
Singapore 179021
Tel: +65 8808 7664
Sun to Tue & Thu: 5.30pm – 2am
Wed, Fri & Sat: 5.30pm – 3am
Nearest Station: Fort Canning / Clarke Quay

PRAWNING

If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, you should try prawning. Most prawning spots are open till the wee hours of the morning and we love that the atmosphere is reminiscent of a rustic kampong gathering where everyone sits around waiting for a bite to happen. The best part is that you get to eat your catch after!

One prawning place that we recommend is Hai Bin Prawning.

Hai Bin Prawning
6 Tebing Lane, #01-04
Singapore 828835
Tel: +65 6447 8693
Daily: 24-hours
Nearest Station: Riviera LRT Station

Victor’s Kitchen – Hidden Gem In Sunshine Plaza For Good Dimsum & Awesome Liu Sha Bao

Gin Chua — Wed, 10 Apr 2019 05:37:46 +0000

You’d probably associate Sunshine Plaza as the spot for all your printing needs. But that building is more than that.

The next time you’re looking for savoury light bites or a short sit down to recharge your tired mind in between running errands, head over to Victor’s Kitchen at Sunshine Plaza. This household name is an unpretentious eatery with a bare minimum set up but plastered on their glass walls are raving newspaper reviews stamps that tout them as best.

For simple, fuss-free dim sum, here’s what we love about Victor’s Kitchen.

We settled down, ticked off their order chit, made payment at the counter, then waited for our food to be made.

Good for breakfast or a tea time snack, there are a few standout dishes you should consider for a safe bet and here are some that we tried.

For one, you can’t walk out of Victor’s Kitchen without an order of their Golden Egg Yolk Lava Bun (S$4.80) because they are touted to have the best custard buns in Singapore. The molten core quickly soaked into the base of the soft paus and tearing them apart let flow what looked like yellow grainy goodness. The butter oil had separated from the custard but that didn’t change the fact that the paus were pretty decent with a definite salted egg yolk fragrance.

Our order of Victor’s King Prawn Dumplings (S$5.20) came as a three-piece set, each piece with a translucent thin skin that wrapped in three plump shrimps.

Chicken & Sausage in Glutinous Rice (S$5.80) is a dim sum staple and this one had pretty straightforward flavours with tender chunks of chicken.

Their Scallop, Sausage Carrot Cake with XO Sauce (S$4.80) is a steamed carrot cake that was almost thoroughly gooey without being cloyingly sticky or starchy. Lup cheong (Taiwanese sausage) and bits of shrimp were mixed into it. The XO sauce topping had a strong hae bi (dried shrimp) aroma and burned sharply in the back of our throats. This is one of the standout dishes at Victor’s Kitchen.

Have a H.K. Summer Iced Milk Tea (S$3.20) along with your meal. The drink comes as a cup served in a bowl of ice so the drink doesn’t get diluted over time.

91 Bencoolen St, #01-49
Sunshine Plaza
Singapore 189652
Tel: +65 9838 2851
Daily: 10:30am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Bencoolen

Red Star Restaurant – Old-School Push Cart Dim Sum Restaurant In Singapore

Dick Tan — Tue, 05 Mar 2019 01:00:11 +0000

A highly celebrated stalwart in the Chinese dim sum scene here in Singapore, Red Star Restaurant is one that needs no introduction.

Here is where one can relish in a large selection of dim sum goodies be it steamed or fried and have them served to you table-side via food trolleys—the traditional way. Standing as one of the few Chinese restaurants left in Singapore (or at least the only one we know about) that still serves dim sum this way, Red Star Restaurant is a gem that many loyal patrons, new and old, hold dear.

If you’d like to experience proper Cantonese dim sum dining the traditional way, then Red Star Restaurant is where it’s at.

No dim sum meal is complete without a basket full of steaming hot char siew bao, and while the ones served here are slightly bigger than the average bao, we were a tad disappointed with how it turned out.

Their char siew bao is nice and soft with a sweet, doughy aroma, however, the filling—an amalgamation of both lean and fatty components of pork—was very little and we found ourselves loading up on more bao than actual filling.

Flaky on the outside with an outer crust that’s buttery but not too thick, the BBQ Pork Pie—otherwise referred to as Char Siew Soh—is one item that we got as well.

The pork filling was sweet and meaty, bearing a milder flavour in comparison to its stickier, diabetes-inducing cousins.

When dining at Red Star Restaurant, the Ha-Kau is a popular pick among the crowd, however, we were not really impressed seeing as to how it arrived at our table, overturned and in a mess. The skins were all punctured and the dumplings all stuck to the basket—probably a result of oversteaming.

A hit among the crowd, their Egg Tart is one of the fastest items to go. The egg custard is velvety and boasts a sweet, fragrant vanilla note and the crust that holds it all together is a delicate pastry that flakes upon the lightest touch.

A simple porridge dish, their Century Egg Porridge comes with a decent portion of pork slices and bits of century egg.

A rather unusual item yet one that the ladies persistently told us to try was the Jin Long Ji. What it is is essentially chicken skin that’s stuffed with a prawn paste and deep-fried. Satisfyingly crispy, the dish had a mild prawn flavour but other than that it didn’t really impress us.

Chee Cheong Fun is one item you’re most likely to see taking up residence on most of the tables around you. Available fillings include prawn, scallop and char siew—all of which are just as good.

All in all, Red Star Restaurant is a place that we highly recommend if you’re keen on having an all-rounded, authentic traditional dim sum eating experience but where price and quality of their dishes is concerned, you could probably do better at many other dim sum restaurants in Singapore.

Red Star Restaurant
Chin Swee Road,
#07-23 Block 54,
Singapore 160054
Tel: +65 6532 5266
Mon to Sat: 8am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Sun: 7am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Outram Park

10 Affordable Dim Sum Places In Singapore That’ll Transport You To Hong Kong

Melissa Teo — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 03:00:52 +0000

One thing that Singaporeans can’t get enough of is dim sum. There is just something so comforting about these small bamboo baskets of steamy goodness that make our mouths water.

Dim sum also comes in all shapes, sizes and flavours. So, whether you’re a sweet tooth, someone who prefers something savoury or someone who is picky about textures and flavours, there will definitely be some kind of dim sum out there that will suit your palates.

However, a solid dim sum meal does not always come cheap. Most of the time, you can only find the good ones at restaurants, which can be a tad harsh on your wallet if you’re running on a tight budget. However, fret not because we have here, a list of 10 great dim sum places that serve quality dim sum at reasonable prices.

126 WEN DAO SHI

Geylang is a well-known food haven, so it is no surprise that they have a place there that sells really affordable yet solid dim sum. 126 Wen Dao Shi may not be the most polished of places, but they compensate for this with their delicious, fresh dim sum. Some must-try items include their Liu Sha Bao, Har Gao and Man Tou with Chilli Crab Sauce.

126 Sims Avenue
Singapore 387449
Tel: +65 6746 4757
Daily: 24-hours
Nearest Station: Aljunied

DIM SUM HAUS

Tucked away a few streets down from the famous Swee Choon is Dim Sum Haus, a small dim sum shop that serves up affordable yet amazing dim sum. We feel that this place is a strong rival to Swee Choon as their dim sum is really good and affordable at the same time. Our favourite is their Baked Salted Egg Custard Buns and their Charcoal Siew Mai.

57 Jalan Besar
Singapore 208809
Tel: +65 6909 0777
Tue to Fri: 11.30am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10.30pm
Sat & Sun: 10.30pm – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10.30pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Jalan Besar

Photo Credit: Hong Kong Zhai

HONG KONG ZHAI HOUSE OF DIM SUM

Tucked away in a corner of Ang Mo Kio is Hong Kong Zhai. Here, they sell fresh, hand-made dim sum that will not cost you more than S$10 for a substantial (and beyond satisfying) portion. One of their most popular items here is their velvety Beancurd Skin Rolls that is a must-try for anyone who loves beancurd rolls.

Block 107 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 4, #01-138
Singapore 560107
Tel: +65 6748 4893
Daily: 7am – 4pm
Nearest Station: Yio Chu Kang

JOHOR BAHRU PAU/TIM SUM

No, Johor Bahru Pau/Tim Sum is not in Johor. In fact, it isn’t anywhere near Johor at all. Instead, this small dim sum place is hidden away in a crevice of Changi Village. They have a wide range of handmade paus and dim sum classics such as har gao, siew mai, char siew baos and chee cheong fan.

4 Changi Village Road, #01-2082
Singapore 500001
Daily: 9am – 9pm
Tel: +65 6542 2311
Nearest Station: Pasir Ris

KUAI SAN DIAN XIN

Kuai San Dian XIn is one of the rare places that sell all their dim sum for the same price, which is a shockingly affordable S$1.30! Imagine the amount of food that you can get for S$20 when everything is priced so low. Definitely a great place to pig out on dim sum to your heart’s content.

Blk 346A Kang Ching Road, #01-01
Singapore 611346
Daily: 6am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Lakeside

LAI KEE DIM SUM

Lai Kee is another great place that serves affordable and delicious dim sum that is great for when the dim sum cravings hit you hard. Besides the usual array of classics such as har gao and siew mai, they also sell unusual creations such as Century Egg Dumplings, Ji Guo Pau and Emerald Prawn Dumplings.

190 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh
Toa Payoh Central, #01-528
Singapore 310190
Tel: +65 8128 9970
Daily: 7.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Toa Payoh

Photo Credit: v99tz

SHI WEI XIAN HONG KONG DIM SUM

Shi Wei Xian sells a spread of the usual dim sum classics such as har gao and siew mai. Besides that, they have some menu items that are not on the list such as their popular Prawn Paste Fish Maw in Egg White, Scallop Dumplings and Prawn Paste Beancurd Rolls.

Blk 119 Aljunied Crescent, #01-06
Singapore 380119
Fri to Sun: 7am – 5pm
(Closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays)
Nearest Station: Aljunied

SWEE CHOON TIM SUM RESTAURANT

If you haven’t heard of Swee Choon, you’ve probably been living under a rock. Swee Choon is a well-loved supper spot that people head to whenever the dim sum cravings strike. This place is open till the wee hours of the morning which is great for satisfying those late-night hunger pangs. However, the downside of this Swee Choon is the never-ending, snaking queues.

Jalan Besar, 183-191
Singapore 208882
Tel: +65 6225 7788
Mon to Sat: 11am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 6am
Sun: 10am – 3pm, 6pm – 6am
Nearest Station: Jalan Besar, Farrer Park & Bendemeer

WONG CHIEW EATING HOUSE

At the mere mention of dim sum for supper, most, if not all minds, would naturally gravitate towards popular Swee Choon if not its more rustic counterpart, 126 Dim Sum Wen Dao Shi over in Geylang. If you’d rather do without the queues and the crowd, consider Wong Chiew Eating House located along Upper Thomson Road.

Despite being around for over a decade now, this humble corner coffee shop hasn’t gotten much limelight, but trust us when we say that these folks are worth a visit. Opened 24-hours a day, they dish out anything from roast meat, various rice and noodle dishes, dim sum as well as their signature Kampung Chicken.

19 Sembawang Road
Singapore 779075
Tel: +65 6456 6838
Nearest Station: Khatib/ Yio Chu Kang

YI DIAN XIN

This hidden gem tucked away in Kovan serves darn good dim sum that we feel is on par with many restaurants. Despite that, the prices here are cheap and affordable, so you can eat as much of you want without feeling a hole in your pocket. Try their famous Steamed Carrot Cake, it’s worth the calories!

1012 Upper Serangoon Road
Singapore 534750
Tel: +65 9168 5587
Wed to Mon: 7am – 3pm
Nearest Station: Kovan

ZI YEAN BISTRO

If you’re looking for a dim sum place that sells something more exciting than your usual dim sum, then Zi Yean Bistro is the place you should be at. Here, you can get your hands on interesting creations such as their Cream Of Yam In Watermelon Bun as well as their Steamed Black Truffle Mushroom Bun.

56 Lengkok Bahru, #01-443
Singapore 150056
Daily: 8am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Redhill

30 Best Dim Sum Restaurants In Singapore To Have Your Weekly Yum Cha

Editorial — Tue, 15 May 2018 01:00:33 +0000

Whether it is a mid-afternoon high tea or weekend brunch ritual, dim sum is a Chinese staple we cannot get enough of. Essentially comprising a variety of both steamed and deep-fried snacks, these morsels are commonly paired with freshly brewed Chinese tea.

In Singapore, many Chinese families hold this age-old tradition in high esteem and even those of other races have learnt to appreciate dim sum, creating varieties to suit their own preferences and taste buds.

From the timeless favourites that still pull off dumplings the old fashioned way since our parent’s time—food carts and screaming old ladies included—to the modern restaurants that experiment with new flavours, here are 30 dim sum restaurants in Singapore for your weekly yum cha.

126 WEN DAO SHI

Nestled in supper haven, Geylang, 126 Wen Dao Shi is a hot spot for those in search of cheap and good dim sum. They may not be the most polished of eateries around, but make no mistake that for what they lack in outer appearance, they compensate greatly in food.

Some of our all-time favourite items to get are their Soft-Shell Crab, Liu Sha Bao and their Man Tou with Chilli Crab Sauce.

126 Sims Avenue,
Singapore 387449
Tel: +65 6746 4757
Daily: 24 Hours
Nearest Station: Aljunied

ASIA GRAND

Asia Grand is one Chinese restaurant that has stood the test of time. Situated on the ground floor of Odeon Towers, this long-standing restaurant is famous not just for their stellar dim sum but also the Peking Duck and Suckling Pig.

Start your day with some delectable dim sum such as Steamed Shrimp Dumplings and Steamed Cheong-Fun with Dough Fritter.

331 North Bridge Road
#01-02 Odeon Towers, Odeon Towers
Singapore 188720
Tel: +65 6887 0010
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Sun: 10am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: City Hall

BAN HENG

At Ban Heng, you will never run out of options when it comes to their dim sum. Boasting over 30 dim sum items to choose from—which includes 15 deep-fried morsels of sheer goodness—deciding what to fill our bellies with is always a tough call.

If you need recommendations, their egg tarts and Barbecued Char Siew Pastry with Sesame are stellar dishes.

1 Maritime Square
#04-01, HarbourFront Centre
Singapore 099253
Tel: +65 6278 0288 / +65 6278 1354
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Harbourfront

CHERRY GARDEN

Cherry Garden offers an eclectic menu of Cantonese cuisine, presented with artistic modern flair. Housed in Mandarin Oriental Singapore Hotel, this Cantonese restaurant is one upscale dim sum restaurant that is perfect for business meetings or simply a weekend yum cha with your family.

Their seasonal menu changes regularly, but rest assured that the quality of the dishes remains consistent throughout.

5 Raffles Avenue
Singapore 039801
Tel: +65 6885 3500
Daily: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Esplanade / Promenade / Raffles Place

CRYSTAL JADE PALACE RESTAURANT

Crystal Jade Palace Restaurant serves up contemporary Cantonese cuisine and is a hot favourite among dim sum lovers. On their menu, there are over 30 dim sum items to try so visiting in a big group is recommended.

We personally love their Char Siew Sou that boasts a savoury-sweet char siew filling encased in a buttery and flaky pastry.

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391 Orchard Road, #04-19,
Takashimaya Shopping Centre,
Singapore 238872
Tel: +65 6735 2388
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Sat: 11am – 10.30pm
Sun: 10am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

DIM SUM PLACE

Sitting along the old-fashioned shophouses that line North Bridge Road is The Dim Sum Place. This place doles out good Cantonese dim sum with a creative local twist that will allow you to sample a unique mix of flavours in a single meal setting.

The best part? It is halal-certified so our Muslim friends can enjoy the dim sum, too!

791 North Bridge Road,
Singapore 198759
Tel: +65 6655 8787
Sun to Thu: 11am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 5am
Nearest Station: Lavender / Bugis

EAST OCEAN TEOCHEW RESTAURANT

Established in 1992, East Ocean Teochew Restaurant is known for serving traditional Teochew favourites such as steamed pomfret and its Hong Kong-style Teochew cuisine. It is one of the few Chinese restaurants in Singapore that still serve dim sum the traditional way by using dim sum trays.

You can get the usual range of dim sum such as Baked BBQ Pork Bun, Pan Fried Carrot Cake and Steamed Siew Mai, but the standout item is definitely the Steamed Custard Bun.

391 Orchard Road, #05-08/09 Ngee Ann City
Singapore 238872
Tel: +65 6235 9088
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

HUA TING

A celebrated stalwart in the Chinese fine dining scene for over two decades, Hua Ting Restaurant offers a revitalised menu that includes a repertoire of Cantonese classics and some modern interpretations.

Their signature Baked Mango Chicken Tartlet is encased in a crispy, buttery bo lo bun with bits of sweet, minced chicken and diced up ripe mangoes—it was so good we finished ours within seconds. Another item to look forward to is the Wok-fried Turnip Cake with House-made X.O. Sauce in Hot Stone Bowl.

442 Orchard Road,
Orchard Hotel Singapore, Level 2,
Singapore 238879
Tel: +65 6739 6666
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Sat & Sun: 11am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

IMPERIAL TREASURE CANTONESE CUISINE

Amongst all the Chinese cuisines out there, the Cantonese style is probably the most popular and diverse and Imperial Treasure Cantonese Cuisine is one such place where diners are never disappointed.

The restaurant offers an assortment of authentic Dim Sum daily as well. These refined small bites are exquisitely crafted by their chefs from Hong Kong that deliver consistent and great quality.

1 Kim Seng Promenade,
Singapore 237994
Tel: +65 6732 2232
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Sat: 11am – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Sun: 10.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

MAN FU YUAN

Situated on the second level of InterContinental Singapore, Man Fu Yuan boasts a sumptuous dim sum menu that bursts with classics like rice rolls, pan-fried radish cakes, and a variety of congees.

What we particularly fancy about their food is the way their brilliant chefs adopt modern culinary methods and apply them to traditional dim sum.

80 Middle Road,
Singapore 188966
Tel: +65 6825 1008
Mon to Sat: 11.45am – 3pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Sun: 11am – 3pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Bugis

MIN JIANG

Located in the elegant Goodwood Park Hotel, the award-winning Min Jiang features a repertoire of popular Sichuan and Cantonese dishes, as well as a delectable dim sum selection, served on trolleys for lunch daily.

What you can look forward to include Steamed Wasabi Jellyfish Dumplings, Steamed BBQ Pork Buns and Crystal Shrimp Dumpling ‘Har Kau’.

22 Scotts Road
Goodwood Park Hotel
Singapore 228221
Tel: 6730 1704
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Sun: 11am – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

MITZO RESTAURANT & BAR

In the sea of Chinese restaurants in Singapore, Mitzo is by far the sleekest and sexiest around, and sitting along Orchard Road makes it a convenient spot to satisfy those dim sum cravings after all your shopping is done.

Everything is exquisitely handcrafted with premium ingredients and you get a wide selection from the Mitzo Premium Steamed Dim Sum Platter the Garden Deep-Fried Dim Sum Platter.

Level 4 Grand Park Orchard
270 Orchard Road
Singapore 238857
Tel: +65 6603 8855
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 2.30am, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Sat & Sun: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard/Somerset

MOUTH RESTAURANT

Since 1988, Mouth Restaurant is the go-to restaurant in Singapore’s Chinatown for yum cha.

For dim sum, they offer a wide selection of 100 mouth-watering handmade dim sum including crowd favourites such as the Rainbow Har Gao, Squid Ink Char Siew Bun and the ever popular Liu Sha Bao.

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22 Cross Street #01-61
China Square Central South Bridge Court ShopHouse,
Singapore 048421
Tel: +65 6438 5798
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 4pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Chinatown / Telok Ayer

PARADISE TEOCHEW

Embracing the roots of Teochew cuisine with an emphasis on natural flavours, light seasonings and fresh ingredients in its preparation of dishes, Paradise Teochew features a menu of over a hundred dishes of Teochew-style signatures coupled with an array of dim sum offerings.

6 Scotts Road, #03-04 Scotts Square,
Singapore 228209
Tel: +65 6538 0644
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Sat & Sun: 10.30am – 3.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

PEACH GARDEN

Peach Garden focuses on bringing to diners impeccable Chinese cuisine with the freshest premium ingredients under the hands of skilled chefs.

The view from its outlet at level 33 of OCBC Building is as impressive as their dim sum menu—especially their tasty Baked Egg Tarts and Steamed Shanghai Xiao Long Bao.

65 Chulia Street
#33-01 OCBC Centre
Tel: +65 6535 7833
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

RED HOUSE SEAFOOD

Established in 1976, Red House Seafood is one of the oldest Chinese restaurants in Singapore and they have been offering masterful creations that display Singapore’s kaleidoscopic gastronomical palate to their loyal customers for decades. Their menu sees finely-crafted dishes that speak of incredible thought and finesse.

Red House Seafood has recently introduced a new daily a la carte dim sum buffet at the The Grand Copthorne Waterfront and Prinsep Street outlets. Enjoy unlimited servings of dim sum, congee, noodles and specialities from S$23.80++/pax.

392 Havelock Rd, Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel Level 2
Singapore 169663
Tel: +65 6735 7666
Daily: 12pm – 2.30pm, 5 – 10pm
Nearest Station: Fort Canning

RED STAR RESTAURANT

Perhaps one of the few remaining authentic, old-school dim sum restaurants in Singapore—with middle-aged ladies pushing dim sum carts around—is Red Star Restaurant.

Red Star is nowhere near any of the finer dining dim sum concepts around, in fact, the restaurant is far from it. But what you can expect is a decent variety that encompasses the usual suspects such as chee cheong fun, har gau and more.

54 Chin Swee Road, #07-23,
Singapore 160054
Tel: +65 6532 5266
Mon to Sat: 8am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Sun: 7am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

SI CHUAN DOU HUA

A premier fine dining Chinese restaurant, Si Chuan Dou Hua is a pioneer of Sichuan cuisine in Singapore and is renowned for its superb Sichuan and Cantonese cuisines.

Here is where you can indulge in a wide array of mouth-watering delicacies such as roast suckling pig, nutritious double boiled soups, and exquisite handcrafted dim sum—all expertly prepared by the restaurant’s team of master chefs.

181 Kitchener Road, Level 3,
Singapore 208533
Tel: +65 6428 3170
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Farrer Park

SONG GARDEN

Located on the second level of Mercure Singapore Bugis, this Cantonese restaurant astounds with its array of elaborate and mouth-watering contemporary dim sum offerings, from its Pan-seared ‘Otak’ Seafood Dumpling on Skewer to its Deep-Fried Charcoal Chili Crab Meat Ball.

The Mini Egg Tarts (S$4.20++ for 3 pieces) are far better than your traditional flaky egg tarts. Buttery, crumbly and filled with a luscious egg filling, this is undeniably one of the best renditions in Singapore. Otherwise, their Deep-Fried Charcoal Chili Crab Meat Ball and Lobster with Pumpkin Congee are showstoppers in their own rights too.

122 Middle Road
Mercure Singapore Bugis
Singapore 188973
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 11am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Bugis

SUMMER PALACE RESTAURANT

Awarded the Michelin one-star back in 2017, Summer Palace is where one can savour classic Cantonese dishes and an extensive selection of dim sum delicacies. Helmed by two experienced Hong Kong chefs with more than 20 years of experience, what you can hope to find will never be anything short of pure indulgence.

We are huge fans of their Stir-Fried Turnip Cake with XO Sauce as well as their Lobster dumplings.

1 Cuscaden Road,
Regent Singapore, A Four Seasons Hotel
Singapore 249715
Tel: +65 6725 3288
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Sun: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

SWATOW SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

Nestled in the heartland area of Toa Payoh, Swatow Seafood Restaurant is an old-school restaurant that gives us all that sense of familiarity the second we step foot inside.

Besides their array of seafood dishes—that we love too— they also offer handmade Hong Kong-style dim sum in the day with the likes of with the likes of Golden Custard Bun, Fresh Scallop Dumpling and Paper Wrapped Chicken.

181 Toa Payoh Lorong 4, #02-602
Singapore 310181
Tel: +65 6363 1717
Daily: 8am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Toa Payoh

SWEE CHOON TIM SUM RESTAURANT

Located in the heart of Jalan Besar, Swee Choon Tim Sum Restaurant is a hit among supper-goers who often flock there as late as midnight. This humble dim sum eatery offers some of the best Chinese cuisines in Singapore and at a fairly affordable price point too.

From delectable soups to steamed Dim Sum and kitchen special cooked dishes, its extensive menu is reflective of the restaurant’s efforts to cater to every palate.

191 Jalan Besar,
Singapore 208882
Tel: +65 6225 7788
(Closed on Tuesdays)
Mon to Sat: 11am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 6am
Sun: 10am – 3pm, 6pm – 6am
Nearest Station: Farrer Park

TASTE PARADISE

Hailed as one of Singapore’s best Chinese restaurants, Taste Paradise is a favourite establishment amongst discerning diners. Long queues often form outside this opulent restaurant at Ion Orchard and prices remain reasonable despite the soaring demands.

Treat yourselves to Taste Paradise’s sumptuous dim sum and do make it a point to allocate stomach space for their best-selling Classic Shark’s Fin in Supreme Broth accompanied with a Crispy Spring Roll served in Japanese Stone Pot.

2 Orchard Turn
#04-07 Ion Orchard
Singapore 238801
Tel: +65 6509 9660
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Sat to Sun: 11am – 4.30pm, 6pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

TIM HO WAN

Hailing from Hong Kong and perhaps one of the biggest openings here in Singapore is dim sum chain, Tim Ho Wan. With certain outlets open for 24-hours, this is another supper spot to consider should the likes of steamed, baked or fried dim sum peak your fancy.

We are huge fans of their Baked Bun with BBQ Pork, Spicy and Sour Dumplings and the hugely underrated Vermicelli Roll with Shrimp.

68 Orchard Rd, 01-29A/52,
Plaza Singapura,
Singapore 238839
Tel: +65 6251 2000
Mon to Fri: 10am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 9am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Dhoby Ghaut

TUNGLOK TEAHOUSE

One of the places we frequent is TungLok Teahouse for their delectable, handcrafted dim sum. This casual dining restaurant has extremely competitive prices.

If you’re the sort that goes absolutely mental at the sight of cutesy dim sum then the Mini Piglet BBQ Buns at TungLok Teahouse is sure to leave an impression. Do try their signature Steamed Siew Mai with Quail Egg and Truffle as well—it is mind-blowing to say the least.

10 Sinaran Drive, #01-73 Square 2
Singapore 307506
Tel: +65 6893 1123
Mon to Fri: 11am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 11am – 3pm, 3pm – 5pm (high tea), 5.30pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Novena

VICTOR’S KITCHEN

Presumably having one of the best custard buns around, Victor’s Kitchen is a name that needs no introduction. Tucked away inside Sunshine Plaza, this dim sum eatery is a popular haunt among students and office workers.

Despite being a fairly affordable option in town, we must admit that their dim sum is good but not exactly our idea of mind-blowing. Still, if you happen to find yourself in the area, then Victor’s Kitchen is no doubt a good spot for you to get your hunger sorted.

91 Bencoolen Street, #01-49
Sunshine Plaza,
Singapore 189652
Tel: +65 9838 2851
Daily: 10.30am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Bencoolen

WAH LOK

Wah Lok Cantonese Restaurant in Carlton Hotel is one of the most well-known Chinese restaurants in Singapore—and for good reason. With a long list of awards to its name, Wah Lok is a popular destination for dim sum enthusiasts.

On their menu, you will find familiar classics—Baked Barbecue Pork Buns and Steamed Crab Meat & Egg White Dumplings are just some to name.

76 Bras Basah Road
Carlton Hotel Singapore
Tel: +65 6311 8188
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Sun: 11am – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: City Hall

XIN CUISINE

Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium Hotel’s Chinese restaurant Xin Cuisine remains relatively under the radar and is a great place to have dim sum in peace without breaking the bank.

Enjoy the ultimate dining experience with its elegant interiors that exude a warm and vibrant ambience, coupled with their range of innovative dim sum creations—courtesy of award-winning Dim Sum Chef Cheung Kim Nam.

Holiday Inn Atrium
317 Outram Road
Tel: +65 6731 7173
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Sun: 10.30am – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Outram Park

YÀN

Yàn is a sophisticated Cantonese restaurant that sits on the fifth floor of the stunning National Gallery Singapore, and we are completely in love with the restaurant’s chinoiserie-chic vibes and a menu of elegant Cantonese cuisine.

The Dim Sum Combination Platter (S$18++) features six delicate bite-size treats, and is a great sampler if you cannot decide on which dim sum dish to order!

1 St. Andrew’s Road, #05-02
National Gallery Singapore
Singapore 178957
Tel: +65 63845585
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: City Hall

YAN TING

This Chinese restaurant at The St. Regis Singapore is classy and exudes a note of understated elegance. Prices are slightly steeper, but for its fine food, it has won fans from all over the region.

If you are planning to have a dim sum brunch at Yan Ting on the weekends, reservations are highly recommended.

29 Tanglin Road
The St. Regis Singapore
Tel: +65 6506 6887
Daily: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

Song Garden – Cantonese Dim Sum Restaurant With Best Egg Tarts & Otah Siew Mai

ladyironchef — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 01:00:48 +0000

Cantonese cuisine, more specifically dim sum, often brings to mind the usual suspects such as comforting porridge, bao, and dumplings of sorts, but over at Song Garden, there is much more than meets the eye than the conventional mix of dim sum treats.

Located on the second level of Mercure Singapore Bugis, this contemporary Cantonese restaurant astounds with its array of elaborate and mouth-watering dishes. Your taste buds are in for a tantalising treat of innovative creations such as Pan-seared ‘Otak’ Seafood Dumpling on Skewer, Baked Abalone Pastry and Deep-Fried Charcoal Chili Crab Meat Ball.

Helmed by Executive Chef Wong Shea Nung and Executive Dim Sum Chef Leung Chi Man—both of whom have decades of experience in Cantonese cooking in Hong Kong—what diners can look forward to is an impressive array of over 30 classic dim sum staples as well as some modern interpretations that are all carefully curated by the chef duo themselves.

From now until May 31 2018 (except for Mother’s Day on 13 May), our readers can quote ‘ladyironchef’ upon making your reservation to enjoy 15% off all dim sum (with min spend of S$60++).

Here’s what you can expect from Song Garden’s stellar line-up of dim sum delights.

Decked out in shades of red and gold with traditional Chinese furnishings and gorgeous art pieces adorning its walls, this elaborate 120-seater Cantonese restaurant sets the mood for some proper dim sum dining, be it for family or friends.

There are also large private dining rooms that can sit more than twenty pax!

PAN-SEARED ‘OTAK’ SEAFOOD DUMPLING ON SKEWER

We are always game for modern dishes with a twist, especially those that creatively blend flavours and textures from our local cuisine. Chef Leung’s Pan-seared ‘Otak’ Seafood Dumpling on Skewer (S$6++ for 4 pieces) is without a doubt perfection on a skewer.

His version of the iconic Siew Mai (pork dumplings) replaces minced pork with spicy mackerel otah paste and prawns. The Siew Mai is first steamed before being wok-fried. Laced with aromatic spices, this siew mai rendition promises a nice crunch and a mildly spicy kick.

MINI EGG TARTS

As far as egg tarts go, it is more than just the yellowish custard that defines a really good one. The short-crust pastry that encases it is just as important—if not, more. Here at Song Garden, the Mini Egg Tarts (S$4.20++ for 3 pieces) are far better than your traditional flaky egg tarts. Buttery, crumbly and filled with a luscious egg filling, this is undeniably one of the best renditions in Singapore.

What we particularly loved about this was the fact that it was small enough to eat in one bite, which for one, does away with the nuisance of crumbs falling everywhere, and allows you to taste every single component at one go.

DEEP-FRIED CHARCOAL CRAB MEAT BALL

New to Song Garden’s menu is the Deep-Fried Charcoal Chili Crab Meat Ball (S$7.50++ for 3 pieces). Perfectly fried and generously filled with a lip-smacking good chilli crab filling, this is truly a treat to behold.

The initial bite excites with a pleasant crunch, followed by the sweet, savoury and spicy chilli crab filling that comes pouring out all over your tongue. The contrast between flavour and texture was struck beautifully and out of all the many chilli crab innovations we have tried over the years, we must say this is among our top few favourites.

PAN-FRIED FOIE GRAS DUMPLING

Although nothing much to shout about at first glance, their Pan-Fried Foie Gras Dumpling (S$S$4.50++ for 3 pieces) is something that left us yearning for more. If you fancy foie gras, then these morsels are the perfect thing to have.

Foie gras is mixed together with marinated pork mince which gives the dumpling a luxurious iron flavour in addition to the savoury pork. Have this with a few strands of the vinegar-soaked ginger and prepare for a flavour explosion in your mouth.

LOBSTER WITH PUMPKIN CONGEE

Boasting a bright yellow hue and robust seafood aroma, the Lobster with Pumpkin Congee (S$28++) is a showstopper in its own right. The porridge contained subtle nuances of pumpkin which made the overall flavour much sweeter than regular congee. The lobster tail was plump, tender and sweet.

BAKED ABALONE PASTRY WITH BLACK TRUFFLE

For those looking to splurge a little more than usual, consider their Baked Abalone Pastry with Black Truffle (S$8.80++ for 1 piece). These luxurious “tarts” feature a very buttery tart pastry which is filled with black truffle and topped with a braised abalone. The complex flavours will definitely get you addicted. We couldn’t stop at one!

STIR-FRIED CARROT CAKE WITH SIGNATURE CHILLI SAUCE

As fans of fried carrot cake, we must say that the Stir-fried Carrot Cake with Signature Chilli Sauce (S$8.80++) is a must-order when at Song Garden. Tossed in a mixture of egg, bean sprouts and their signature chilli sauce, the dish boasts a subtle spiciness and an apparent wok hei.

STEAMED CHEONG-FUN WITH FRESH PRAWN FILLING

If you thought that this Cantonese restaurant’s cheong fun was going to be your typical rice roll stuffed with bits of prawn, you thought wrong. In their Steamed Cheong-fun with Fresh Prawn Filling (S$6++), delicate paper-thin sheets (that are all made in-house daily) nicely wraps itself around a crispy roll filled with deliciously crunchy prawns.

Simple as it may seem, the textural variety from the sweet and succulent prawns as well as the crispy roll will have you rethink about regular chee cheong fun.

BAO GALORE

No dim sum meal would be complete without some form of stuffed bao. For a sweet treat, go for the Steamed Custard Bun (S$5.80++ for 3 pieces). Molten salted egg yolk oozing out from freshly steamed bun; oh, how we love our liu sha bao!

Both chefs also impress with their Oven Baked Snow Skin Bun (S$5.40++ for 3 pieces). The savoury and slightly sweet char siew filling still had bits of fat intact which made it such a joy to eat, and we liked that the crust was crunchy without being overly greasy.

Presenting one of their new and stellar creations is the Steamed Mushroom Bun with Black Truffle (S$5.80++ for 3 pieces). Made to look like a literal mushroom (stalk included), this adorable bun is packed full of diced up mushrooms with a sauce made with truffles. If you love mushrooms, this savoury treat will most definitely leave an impression.

For reservations and dining enquiries, call +65 6521 9299 or email song.garden@accor.com.

Song Garden
122 Middle Road
Mercure Singapore Bugis
Singapore 188973
Nearest Station: Bugis

Weekdays
Lunch: 11.30am to 2.30pm
Dinner: 6pm to 10pm
Weekends/ Public Holiday
Lunch: 11am to 3pm
Dinner: 6pm to 10pm

This post was brought to you by Song Garden.

4 Halal Dim Sum Eateries In Singapore For A Scrumptious Feast

Nur Sofia — Sat, 06 Jan 2018 03:00:34 +0000

The term “dim sum” has a literal translation of “touching the heart”, and this double entendre truly reflects the effect of savouring these bite-sized creations. Served in traditional bamboo baskets, there is a myriad of choices from vegetarian fillings to juicy meat ones.

The best part about dim sum is the fact that it can be eaten at any time of the day. In Singapore, there has been a significant rise in halal-certified dim sum eateries that cater to the expansive Muslim market. Our Muslim friends need not miss out on the good stuff now.

Here are 4 Halal Dim Sum Eateries in Singapore For A Scrumptious Feast.

#1 ENAK ENAK HONGKONG TEA HOUSE

This halal dim sum eatery hosts a wide selection of tasty Cantonese tea snacks that will delight the inner foodie in you.

Opt to dine outdoors and soak in the oceanfront panorama while you savour delicious Siew Mai (S$3.50/3 pieces), Law Mai Kai (S$2.30), Har Gow (S$3.90/3 pieces) and Shanghai Steamed Dumpling with Chilli Crab (S$5.40/4 pieces) for starters.

1202 East Coast Parkway, #01-01
Singapore 449881
Tel: +65 6876 5911
Daily: 24 hours
Nearest Station: Bedok
(Multiple outlets islandwide)

Photo Credit: Streats Hong Kong Café

#2 STREATS HONG KONG CAFÉ

With a whopping ten outlets scattered around the island, halal-certified Streats Hong Kong Café is a convenient spot to indulge in a dazzling array of dim sum classics.

The highlight of their dim sum—the dumpling’s crystal skin that is translucent yet sturdy. This intricate balance makes each bite even more satisfying than the previous one.

Opt to pair your dim sum treats with their Salted Egg Yolk Pumpkin Fries (S$7.80) or the all-time favourite HK Carrot Cake with XO Sauce (S$7.50).

23 Serangoon Central
#03-08/09, NEX
Singapore 556083
Tel: +65 6509 1966
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Serangoon
(Multiple outlets islandwide)

Photo Credit: Tang Tea House

#3 TANG TEA HOUSE

At Tang Tea House, expect to find an exhaustive menu that features noodle delights, rice options, tasty snacks, comforting porridges and even refreshing desserts.

The dim sum selection here is pretty vast too but the specialities are the Lobster Mai ($5.60/3 pieces), BBQ Chicken Pau ($3.80/3 pieces) and the Soup Shrimp Ball (S$7.30/2 pieces).

If you wish to advance from the dim sum newbie phase, go for the Chicken Feet (S$3.90/plate), otherwise known as “Phoenix Claws”.

242 Jalan Kayu
Singapore 799466
Tel: +65 6483 2298
Daily: 24 hours
Nearest Station: Thanggam (Sengkang West LRT)
(Multiple outlets islandwide)

#4 THE DIM SUM PLACE

The raison d’être of this establishment is none other than its gorgeous dim sum, all served beautifully in oriental baskets, unique trays and fancy plates.

The selection of dim sum here comes with a unique twist to suit the local palate, as you would notice from the crisp Fried Siew Mai which is usually served steamed. Go on and savour unique items such as Braised Duck Cha Shu Bun and Pan Fried Taro Cake (S$2.90/ 3 pieces) before tackling the mains.

If you are feeling adventurous, go for unconventional dishes such as Original Rice in Superior Soup—with dreamy abalone or the collagen-rich Beef Brisket Noodles (S$12.90).

791 North Bridge Road
Singapore 198759
Tel: +65 6655 8787
Mon to Thu & Sun: 11am – 2.30pm, 5pm – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 2.30pm, 5pm –5.30am
Nearest Station: Bugis

For more recommendations, read our guide on halal and muslim-owned cafes in Singapore.

Words by: Nur Sofia
Edited by: Julee Ooi

The Dim Sum Place – Halal Cantonese Dim Sum For Your Supper Fix

Nur Sofia — Sat, 25 Nov 2017 01:00:11 +0000

Sitting along the old-fashioned shophouses that line North Bridge Road is The Dim Sum Place. You won’t be able to miss it because it has this eye-catching bright orange awning.

This place doles out good Cantonese dim sum with a creative local twist that will allow you to sample a unique mix of flavours in a single meal setting.

The best part? It is halal-certified so our Muslim friends can enjoy the dim sum, too!