We are such big fans of TungLok Group’s arsenal of restaurants and one of the places we frequent is TungLok Teahouse for their delectable, handcrafted dim sum. This casual dining restaurant has extremely competitive prices—which means you can always pop by to satisfy your dim sum cravings even if you are on a budget!

TungLok Teahouse at Square Two recently underwent a transformation: From a retro old-school Chinese Teahouse, to a place which revolutionizes the way dim sum is served. Hint: there is automation and interaction involved here.

After all these years, it remains as one of our all-time favourite places for reliable dim sum.

At first look, the new TungLok Teahouse at Square 2 resembles a classic American Diner with its green and red booths. It is indeed refreshing for a dim sum restaurant.

The restaurant has implemented a new dining concept with its tray delivery system. Choose to sit where the action is at, the booths, which cater to group of four or six; or the round tables at the side of the restaurant which seat bigger groups.

The chefs will prepare the orders upon receiving the electronic orders made via an iPad at every table—this is to ensure that every basket and plate of dim sum is steamed to order and served fresh and piping hot.

Then comes the interesting part—look out for your food which will be delivered to your table straight from the kitchen via the “tray”.

We felt like we were kids again, having so much fun exploring a new game that has just been launched. This new system also means that your waiting time is greatly reduced!

SIGNATURE DIM SUM

Cartoon dim sum will always capture our hearts, which is what the Mini Piglet BBQ Buns (S$5.30++ – 3 pieces) at TungLok Teahouse did. On top of being adorable, we gave this dish additional points for its taste too.

We tore apart the soft bun and were delighted to be greeted with a generous portion of barbequed pork and sweet sauce.

TungLok Teahouse’s signature Steamed Siew Mai with Quail Egg and Truffle (S$5.80++ – 4 pieces) completely blew our minds. Who would have thought the classic dim sum could be reinvented this way?!

We loved how we were surprised by the runny quail egg yolk when we bit into the pork and shrimp siew mai. And as if the sweetness from the egg wasn’t enough, black truffle is added for an overall elevation of the taste!

We are never looking at siew mai the same way again.

Steamed Cheong Fun (rice rolls) is a staple in most dim sum restaurants and you bet it is a must-order at TungLok Teahouse.

We liked the textural variety in the Steamed Prawn Rice Rolls ‘Cheong Fun’ (S$6.80++). Imagine fresh plump prawns, vegetables and crispy vermicelli wrap, combined together in delicate rice noodle rolls before it is drenched with light soya sauce.

Many of you will agree with us that good baked pork buns should come with flaky tops and are soft to bite. Besides that, it is also crucial that the sweet and savoury bits from the bun and juicy pork have to go well together.

That is what you would get with the Baked BBQ Pork Buns (S$4.80++ – 3 pieces) at TungLok Teahouse. Since our first trip, we had concluded that this is a must-try at TungLok Teahouse and our stand remains today.

Other dim sum choices you get are Steamed Shrimp Dumplings ‘Har Gao’ (S$5.30++ – 4 pieces), Baked Mini Egg Tarts (S$4.30++ – 3 pieces), Deep-fried Yam Puffs with Truffle (S$4.30++ – 3 pieces) and Steamed Juicy Meat Buns ‘Xiao Long Bao’ (S$5.30++ – 4 pieces).

SIDES

Boxer Chicken (S$8++) is so sinfully good that it is worth every damn calorie. Although the limelight at TungLok Teahouse is the dim sum, it would be a shame to miss out on this crispy delight.

Deep fried to perfection, you can enjoy the chicken with the chilli dip for a spicy kick.

BECAUSE ROAST MEATS

The Duo BBQ Meat Combination Platter (S$20++) is a plate of roasted goodness that comes with ‘Char Siew’ and Roast Irish Duck. Roasted to a glorious shade of deep red, the best part of the roast duck has got to be its crispy skin.

Well, we don’t think you need another reason to be convinced, right? Good roast meats are worth the while.

THIS UNFORGETTABLE POT OF NOODLES

This pot of Braised Prawns with Vermicelli in X.O. Sauce (S$18++) comes with prawns and tanghoon. It was flavourful with a distinct wok hei, and as simple as it may look, it was an unforgettable item from our lunch that afternoon.

TungLok Teahouse
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

This post is brought to you by TungLok Group.

With chunks of juicy, sweet yet savoury BBQ char siew encrusted in a soft and pillowy golden bun baked to perfection, a bite of Baked BBQ Pork Bun is enough to send you to heaven.

No matter how big a dim sum menu is, this is one dish we always look out for, one that we have to order. It puzzles us why many dim sum restaurants in Singapore do not serve this dish, but for those that we have been to and fell in love with, we want to spread the joy of biting into a good Baked BBQ Pork Bun. Here is our take on 5 of Singapore’s Best Baked BBQ Pork Buns.

FENG SHUI INN

It is the combination of exquisite and authentic fine Cantonese cuisine and an elegant and luxurious ambience that contribute to the overall dining experience at Feng Shui Inn, at Resorts World Sentosa.

But something that not many people know about is that Feng Shui Inn does a competent Baked Po Luo Char Siew Bao (S$5 for 3 pcs) as well. Indeed a hidden gem in their menu that you should look out for when you next dine there. It is available during lunch from 11.30am – 5.30pm daily.

Feng Shui Inn
8 Sentosa Gateway
Crockfords Tower Level G2
Resorts World Sentosa
Tel: +65 6577 6688
Daily: 11.30am – 4am
Nearest Station: Harbourfront

IMPERIAL TREASURE FINE DINING

Nothing particularly fanciful nor extraordinary about the Baked BBQ Pork Bun (S$4.80 for 3 pcs) here, but it is one item that we cannot miss out on when doing our Sunday dim sum brunch at Imperial Treasure Fine Dining. The buttery buns are always served warm, and the sweet pork filling is generous and hearty.

#L2-04, Marina Bay Sands
10 Bayfront Avenue
Tel: +65 6688 7788
Daily: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Bayfront

TIM HO WAN

Tim Ho Wan, the cheapest 1-Michelin Star dim sum restaurant from Hong Kong, finally opened in Singapore last year. The star on the menu and what the must-order dish is the legendary Baked Buns with BBQ Pork ($4.50 for 3). We can say with confidence after trying, that the buns are as good as the ones in Hong Kong.

#01-29 Plaza Singapura
The Atrium @ Orchard
68 Orchard Road
Tel: +65 6251 2000
Nearest Station: Dhoby Ghaut

TUNGLOK TEAHOUSE

A recent addition to our list of go-to places for a hearty Chinese meal is TungLok Teahouse at Far East Square that serves all day dim sum during lunch and dinner. Yes, all day dim sum. What you get is very piquant food and a wide selection of quality teas in a cosy teahouse setting – complete with paintings from the 60’s and Peranakan-inspired décor.

This is a taste of Hong Kong, truly. We were wow-ed by its standard on our first visit, and since then, we have been loyal. There is nothing to pick on when it comes to Tung Lok Teahouse’s Baked BBQ Pork Buns (S$4.50 for 3 pcs), and we make it a point to have everyone around us love it.

Sweet and juicy chunks of barbecued pork encrusted within soft and crumbly baked buns – we could gobble down three at a go.

Far East Square
9-13 Amoy Street, #01-01
Tel: +65 6877 1123
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Sat: 11am – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Sun & PH: 10am – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Raffles Place/Telok Ayer

WAH LOK CANTONESE RESTAURANT

Wah Lok Cantonese Restaurant at Carlton Hotel Singapore is one of the most popular restaurants to go to for dim sum and its refined Cantonese cuisine.

Wah Lok serves a great variety of dim sum, but the swoon-worthy Baked Barbecued Pork Buns (S$4.40 for 3 pcs) are so consistently good that they have made a name for themselves and rank among the tops in town. We have had the bo luo buns with char siew on numerous occasions, and it is always baked to perfection; they do not disappoint.

Level 2 Carlton Hotel Singapore
76 Bras Basah Road
Tel: +65 6311 8188
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Sun & PH: 11am – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: City Hall

For more recommendations, read our guide to Singapore’s Top 30 Chinese Restaurants