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.

Conveniently located next to Boon Lay MRT Station, Jurong Point might be a frequent haunt amongst the West-siders but not so much amongst those who reside elsewhere.

Jurong Point is home to an extensive variety of Asian restaurants so spectacular that you will find yourselves beyond spoilt for choice!

The mall has a few precincts under its roof, namely Mongkok, Korean Street, Shokutsu Ten, Halal Delights and Malaysia Boleh! Each designated area has successfully mimicked the characteristics of its intended destination and boy, we were thoroughly impressed.

Now, even those living out of the West have a reason to visit Jurong Point. From now till Thursday, 31st December 2015, dine at selected participating restaurants to collect Food Prints in your Jurong Point Passport and stand a chance to win a pair of return tickets to Dubai, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and even Los Angeles! Other attractive prizes such as Samsonite luggage bags and Jurong Point gift vouchers are up for grabs too.

Best of Asian Food Under One Roof at Jurong Point? Yes, we approve.

To begin, all you have to do is to pick up a “passport” from the Information Counter, and that is when you can begin on an epicurean journey while accumulating your “immigration stamps” from the various precincts.

We promise there are so many restaurants to choose from that participating in the contest is too easy. All you have to do is to dine at one every day, and you might just be among the lucky ones to jet off for a real holiday.

WIN TWO RETURN AIR TICKETS TO HONG KONG

Chinese neon-lit signboards lined up along the indoor streets of Jurong Point’s Mongkok precinct instantly teleported us to Hong Kong. We love the bustling atmosphere and as odd as it sounds, the high human traffic of this part of Jurong Point sure reminded us of the ever-crowded Mongkok – with a familiar sense of comfort, minus the rowdiness, of course.

There are three participating restaurants in the Mongkok precinct – Central Hong Kong Cafe, Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao and Legendary Hong Kong.

Spend a minimum of S$50 at each of the above mentioned tenants and you will receive a stamp. Collect six stamps and you will stand a chance to win a pair of return tickets to Hong Kong.

Diners at Legendary Hong Kong restaurant also receive either a Pineapple Bun, Hot Milk Tea or a Hot Honey Pomelo Beverage on the house when you spend at least S$50.

Now, you really have to try Legendary Hong Kong’s aromatic succulent Roasted London Duck (half – S$30++, whole S$58++). Crispy fragrant skin with a tender juicy flesh, it is a definite must-order for all fans of Hong Kong fare. We also love how its interiors and decors are a true replica of Hong Kong’s traditional cha caan tengs (minus the rude service).

WIN TWO RETURN AIR TICKETS TO KOREA

Annyeong Haseyo! Everyone here is a fan of Korean cuisine, yes? Korbi Grill, Chef’s Noodle, Seoul Garden and Seoul Garden Hotspot from Jurong Point’s Korea Street are too offering diners the opportunity to feast your way to Korea.

Accumulate a stamp on your Jurong Point Passport when you spend S$50 and the collection of six stamps will grant you the opportunity to be whisked to Korea with your loved one.

The popular Korbi Grill’s Grilled Beef Ribeye Steak (180 grams – S$21.90++, 250 grams – S$25.90++) is grilled on a 320°C hot lava stone, and comes with a choice of side dish and either a spicy bulgogi sauce or Korean mushroom sauce.

Some other options are Chef’s Noodle’s signature Chef’s Gukso Beef Broth (S$13.90++) and Seoul Garden Hotpot’s Premium Seafood Hotpot with Kimchi Jigae Soup Base (S$16.90++). The former is a piping hot bowl of Guksoo noodles served in a mildly peppery beef broth topped with a myriad of vegetables and pork bulgogi, while the latter comprises a superior selection of seafood and glass noodles served in kimchi soup.

Even if you are unable to collect all six stamps, fret not. The participating Korean restaurants will still be rewarding enthusiastic diners with every stamp collected.

With a minimum spend of S$50, Chef’s Noodle will reward customers with a free SSAM Wrap (choose from bulgogi, spicy pork and pork belly), while Korbi Grill is giving away a complimentary Calamari and Seoul Garden Hotspot will treat diners a dish of Deep-fried Wing Sticks with Spicy Coating.

WIN TWO RETURN AIR TICKETS TO JAPAN

Inspired by the bustling district of Ginza in Tokyo, Jurong Point’s Shokutsu Ten is a Japanese food paradise. This Japanese Street will have you all enthralled by the mouthwatering selection of gourmet restaurants surrounded by eye-catching billboards, traditional placards, wooden pushcarts and whatnot.

Our love for hotpots never die, even more so when we’ve got some really sweet collagen broth over at Shabu Tontei. A minimum of two diners is required for each Shabu Shabu set, and the set comes with generous servings of premium meat cuts, vegetables and side dishes.

To collect your passport spend, the minimum spend is S$50, and are applicable at Ichiban Boshi, Kabe No Ana Japanese Pasta, Kuishin Bo Authentic Japanese Buffet, Kuriya Japanese Market, Men-ichi Japanese Ramen, Shabu Tontei or Wadori.

Additionally, Shokutsu Ten Japanese Food Street is giving away an exclusive sashimi plate set to shoppers with a minimum spend of S$60  in a single same-day receipt (redeem this at the Customer Service Counters).

Spend S$12 at Kuriya Japanese Market and receive a free platter of three pieces salmon sashimi.

WIN A CLUB MED CHERATING TRIP FOR TWO

Malaysia Boleh! might just be the most popular precinct with its authentic options of traditional Malaysian foods such as Penang Char Kuay Teow and Malaysian Bak Ku Teh. All the hawkers hail from Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru, and it is also worth mentioning that Malaysia Boleh! resembles an old-school coffee shop, with the exception that it actually has the facility of a blasting air-conditioning and clean seats.

Busy foodies no longer have to drive or fly across the border to satisfy their cravings for one of the world’s best cuisines; we could hardly believe our eyes when we saw the stalls of Petaling Street Famous Claypot Chicken Rice (small – S$5, big – S$8) and Klang Bak Ku Teh (small – S$5, big – S$8)!

Every vendor in Malaysia Boleh! is participating in Best of Asian Food Under One Roof. Unlike the other precincts, accumulating of points is a tad easier at Malaysia Boleh!. Simply spend $20 with a maximum of 5 single same-day receipts and your Jurong Point Passport will receive a stamp. The accumulation of eight stamps will have you standing a chance to win a trip for two to Malaysia’s Club Med Cherating – Malaysia’s best full-board beach resort.

WIN TWO RETURN AIR TICKETS TO DUBAI

Our dearest Muslim friends are too in a treat with Jurong Point’s four Halal-Certified participating restaurants i.e. Ayam Penyet RIA, Fish & Co., Prata Wala and Swensen’s. Spend S$50 in a single receipt and a total of six stamps will have you enrolled into the lucky draw, where you could possibly win two return airplane tickets to Dubai.

Fish & Co. is offering a value-for-money festive promotion (from 18 November onwards) called A Jolly Seafood Fare.

Diners, be prepared for a hearty seafood cream-based pot, hot fudge cake with vanilla ice-cream, and two refreshing mocktails at just S$59.95++ for two pax. We were impressed by the generous amount of mussels, prawns and scallops in the baked ceramic dish.

Swensen’s is also launching dishes exclusively created for this festive season. Savour the Indonesian-inspired Chicken Istimewa (S$15.90++) in November and the fusion Turkey Burger (S$17.90++) in December. Complete your meal with one of newly launched mod-Sin desserts Sweet Corn Fever Forever, Child’s Gem Delight and Potong Supreme Pleaser (S$11.50++ each).

WIN TWO RETURN AIR TICKETS TO LOS ANGELES

If you have completed every page on your Jurong Point Passport (accumulated ALL stamps for five precincts), then you might be on your way to Los Angeles! Yes, Jurong Point is sending a lucky Jurong Point Passport holder (and his/her plus one) to Hollywood!

This ultimate grand prize also includes two Samsonite luggage bags and S$1,000 worth of Jurong Point Gift Vouchers. Gather all your family and friends to dine consistently at Jurong Point and you could soon be partying in the USA.

No worries if the collection of all stamps is too daunting. Shoppers can still win fantastic prizes with minimal spending, where the expenditure of S$120 in any two combined same-day receipts will allow you to claim a beautiful Passport Holder that fits the Singapore Passport perfectly well.

Now, don’t we all have enough reasons to head down to Jurong Point to dine already?

For more information on Best of Asian Food Under One Roof and its terms and conditions, visit www.jurongpoint.com.sg/mallpromotions.

This post is brought to you by Jurong Point.