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

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

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.

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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.

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

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.