Tai Seng may be an industrial area but it doesn’t just have worn-out buildings and office towers. If you take a stroll through the area, you’ll pass by stretches of hip restaurants, modest eateries and noisy coffee shops.

But that’s not all — stowed away in various pockets of the estate are tons of foodie secrets that we’re about to let you in on.

Whether you’re grabbing a breakfast bite, heading out for lunch or looking for a post-work hangout spot, we’ve put together a list of 27 cafes and restaurants in Tai Seng you should definitely check out! Ranging from ramen and poke bowls to dim sum and salads, you’re bound to find something that’s right up your aisle.

ALCHEMIST

There’s just something about Alchemist’s atmosphere  — their industrial-chic abode exudes a quiet serenity that goes wonderfully with their esteemed coffee. Located in former Khong Guan Biscuit Factory, this cafe is one of Tai Seng’s best-kept secrets.

Their flagship outlet in Tai Seng is armed with an in-house roastery, ensuring the freshest, most aromatic brews. Their baked goods will do you no wrong, either. We can’t get enough of their Almond Croissant which is crusted over with a buttery cookie flap.

2 Mactaggart Rd, #01-01, Khong Guan Building
Singapore 368078
Mon to Fri: 8am – 5pm
Sat: 9am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Tai Seng

ARTEASE

As the name playfully suggests, Artease takes a lot of pride in their tea. You can expect the most unique concoctions from them, such as Caramel Popcorn (S$4/regular, S$5/large) and Iced Honey Espresso (S$4.50).

The Caramel Popcorn (Salty) comprises a harmonious blend of caramel, milk, roasted rice tea, and sea salt. If you’re in need of a strong pick-me-up, the Iced Honey Espresso (S$4.50) will fit the bill. The honey lends the drink a gentle sweetness and helps to slightly mellow out the intensity of the coffee.

Artease’s selection of cooked-to-order sandwiches is especially popular amongst the working crowds here, as well. Their Pesto Grilled Cheese Sandwich (S$4.50) is highly recommended.

30 Tai Seng Street, #02-09, BreadTalk IHQ
Singapore 534013
Tel: +65 6222 6966
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Tai Seng

BREADTALK

This home-grown brand probably needs no introduction. With countless outlets across the nation, BreadTalk is easily the ring leader of the local bakery scene. Their ovens spew out an impressive line-up of classic and contemporary bread, along with seasonal pastries and sweets.

Whether you need some fuel for the day ahead or a mid-afternoon snack, Breadtalk has got your back. One of their well-loved creations perfect for breakfast is the Egg O’ Clock (S$1.70), a soft chiffon cake sandwiching runny egg lava and melted cheese. Snag it early in the morning while it’s warm for the ultimate melt-in-your-mouth experience.

And if you haven’t tried their signature Floss Buns (S$1.70), are you really a Singaporean?

30 Tai Seng Street, #01-04, BreadTalk IHQ
Singapore 534013
Tel: +65 6636 4344
Daily: 7am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Tai Seng

Photo credit: Chibaobao

CHIBAOBAO

Located at Tai Seng Point level 2, Chibaobao is a new eatery in Tai Seng which specialises in claypot dishes which are affordably priced under S$10.

11 Irving place
taiseng point #02-02 S369551
Tue – Sat: 11.30am – 8.30pm
Sun: 11.30am – 3pm

DIN TAI FUNG

When you think of Din Tai Fung, you think of quality. Hailing from Taiwan, this Chinese restaurant is world-famous for its Steamed Pork Dumplings (S$10.30++ for 10 pieces, S$7.80++ for 6 pieces). Each of these Xiao Long Baos is a masterpiece, undergoing six preparatory stages and pleated with precisely 18 intricate folds.

Another thing we love Din Tai Fung for is its open-concept kitchen, which allows customers to witness the chefs’ impeccable skills and calm focus. Watch them churn out their best-selling dishes which include the Steamed Chicken Soup (S$10.80++) and Fried Rice with Shrimps and Eggs (S$12.80++).

30 Tai Seng Street, #01-02, BreadTalk IHQ
Singapore 534013
Tel: +65 6702 0060
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Tai Seng

EVERTON CREAMERY

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. That’s exactly what Everton Creamery did, and they’ve brought the Roman craft to our land. Producing al naturel gelato with techniques from authentic gelato masters, this dessert joint is a force to be reckoned with.

Their flavours rotate with the season to ensure the freshest quality, but they do have a few permanent fixtures on their menu. Their classic Pistachio (S$4.80/single, S$8/double; +S$0.50 for premium flavours) never fails us, made from roasted Pistachio scooped straight from the baskets of Sicily. Top it on their Belgian Waffle (S$9.30) because, well, why not?

30 Tai Seng Street, #02-01A, BreadTalk IHQ
Singapore 534013
Tel: +65 9436 3479
Daily: 11.30am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Tai Seng

FOOD REPUBLIC

Transport yourself back to the historic era at Food Republic in BreadTalk IHQ. Dressed in an ancient Oriental aesthetic accompanied by nature-themed elements, the food court dons antique decor and actual Chinese artefacts.

Trying out food court stalls are always a hit or miss — but, we’re here to ensure that you won’t have to suffer the latter. Li Xin Teochew Fishball Noodles’ Signature Dry Fishball Noodles (S$4.30) are an old-time favourite. Concocted with age-old recipes and house-made fish balls, you’ll be bestowed with al dente noodles and fish balls so springy they could bounce off carpets.

30 Tai Seng Street, #01-06, BreadTalk IHQ
Singapore 534013
Tel: +65 6444 6019
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Tai Seng

HARRY’S

Looking for a classy yet casual lunch or dinner spot? Harry’s will take you right into its snazzy abode and take care of your empty stomach.

Their Dry-Rubbed Baby Back Ribs (S$29) always call out to us with their fall-off-the-bone tenderness and well-concocted seasoning. We can never leave without a serving of their Mushroom & Truffle Flat Bread Pizza (S$23), as well. Gooey cheese intertwined with juicy mushrooms and sealed with a dash of truffle oil – it doesn’t get more decadent than this.

18 Tai Seng Street, 18 Tai Seng, #01-23/24/25 & #01-K4
Singapore 539775
Tel: +65 6386 9064
Sat to Thurs: 11am – 11pm
Fri: 11am – 12am
Nearest Station: Tai Seng

HUGGS COFFEE

No-frills coffee. That’s just how the baristas over here do it. With a mission to cater to the working crowd, Huggs Coffee will set you straight with its dignified yet affordable brews. Their high-quality beans sourced from Columbia and Sumatra vow to be sturdy bases for your morning cuppa.

Their Latte Gula (S$4.80) will whisk your senses to the streets of Malacca while their Turmeric Latte (S$5) promises to inject a spritz of health. For quick breakfast bites, their Blueberry Muffin (S$3.50) is a safe choice.

18 Tai Seng St, 18 Tai Seng, #01-K1
Singapore 539775
Tel: +65 6282 3373
Mon to Fri: 7:30am – 10pm
Sat to Sun: 10:30am – 7:30pm
Nearest Station: Tai Seng

GLC RESTAURANT

Boasting an impressive array of zi char delights that taste really good and are priced pretty affordably, GLC Restaurant is definitely one to consider should you find yourself hankering after proper zi char that’s also Muslim-friendly for your Muslim friends.

GLC Restaurant has an incredibly extensive menu and they serve up almost any kind of local food that you’re craving. From quintessential local food such as chicken rice and nasi padang to popular zi char items such as hor fun and yang chow fried rice, the list is endless and you’ll definitely be spoilt for choice.

121 Upper Paya Lebar Road
Singapore 534836

GRASSO COFFEE

Originally a takeaway kiosk, Grasso Coffee is now a full-fledged cafe that offers straightforward grub at affordable price points. Nothing too fancy here but you definitely won’t be complaining at the end of your meal.

Their menu features classic cafe dishes, from stuffed croissants and baked rice to pasta and salads. Their Egg Mayo Croissant (S$4.50) is a fail-safe choice — the egg mayo is rich and creamy while the croissant exudes flaky crispiness.

As for their mains, their Cream Baked Chicken is an all-time crowd-pleaser. The best part? You can get a portion at just S$3.80 thanks to their insanely reasonable tiered pricing — S$5 for 1 main, S$8 for 2 mains and S$11.50 for 3 mains!

The Commerze @ Irving #01-27/28, 1 Irving Place
Singapore 369546
Mon to Fri: 8am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Tai Seng

Photo Credit: www.instagram.com/thebigfat.cheeks/

JJAK & CO.

We love our poke bowls but most of them are beyond reach in the CBD areas. Thankfully, Tai Seng has its very own poke bowl contender secluded in Tai Seng Centre — JJAK & CO. Don’t underestimate its humble interior and menu because this place actually serves up formidable poke and Japanese rice bowls!

Their fish is unbeatably fresh and diced into fat juicy chunks, just the way we like it. If you’re not a fan of sashimi, their Pork Belly Yakiniku Don (S$12.90) or Truffle Beef with Foie Gras (S$19.90) will impress you just as much.

3 Irving Rd, #02-03, Tai Seng Centre
Singapore 369522
Tel: +65 9656 1456
Mon to Fri: 11.30 am – 09.30pm
Sat: 11.30am – 08.30pm
Nearest Station: Tai Seng

KNOTS CAFE AND LIVING

At first glance, you’d think Knots Cafe & Living is just a well-furbished furniture store. And, you wouldn’t be wrong. But, what do you know — they serve decent nosh as well! Behind their mystical garden theme and woody aesthetic, their hidden kitchen dishes up classic brunch and Western-Italian fare.

Opt for a waffle twist to your usual brunch affair with the Knots Waffle Brekkie (S$18.90), which comes with smoked beef sausage, sautéed mushrooms and scrambled eggs. The Fish & Chips (S$13.90) is a recommended dish as well which sees thick dory fillets breaded and fried to an idyllic crisp.

160 Paya Lebar Rd, #01-07
Singapore 409022
Tel: +65 6817 0383
Sun to Thurs: 9am – 9pm
Fri to Sat: 9am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Macpherson

KOAT AROY

You know you’re in safe hands when you hear the restaurant staff rattling off in Thai. Koat Aroy is a little Thai eatery that serves value-for-money dishes in super generous portions. While their menu has its hits and misses, when they do a dish right, it’s pretty superb.

Go for their Pad Thai (S$6) which will have you singing “sabai sabai” with its bouncy noodles coated in well-balanced seasoning and citrus notes. As for their seafood, the Thai Steamed Fish with Lime Sauce (S$22) is sublime.

#01-24, The Commerze @Irving, 1 Irving Rd
Singapore 369520
Tel: +65 6386 7475
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 3pm, 5pm – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Tai Seng

MEATS N’ MALTS

To all the carnivores out there who have not given Meats N’ Malts a go, where have you been? This gem of a restaurant dishes out honest Western grub at wallet-friendly prices. Steak, ribs, country fried chicken — they’ve got it all.

Their BBQ Pork Ribs (S$19.90) guarantees to reach the fall-off-the-bone benchmark and is glazed with their lip-smacking BBQ sauce. If you’re in the mood for a nice slab of fish, their Grilled Dory with Lemon Dill Cream Sauce (S$12.90) will surely satisfy. Grilled to a nice charred crisp, the fish’s light smokiness pairs wonderfully with the herbaceous cream sauce.

30 Tai Seng St, BreadTalk IHQ, #01-07
Singapore 534013
Tel: +65 6909 0010
Sat to Thurs: 12pm – 11pm
Fri: 12pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Tai Seng

NOMVNOM

Even before Impossible Meat was a thing, nomVnom was already changing the game for plant-based gastronomy. This vegan fast food joint dishes out grub so delicious that you’ll gladly be tossing meat aside.

Their extensive menu sees pizza, smoothie bowls, and sweet indulgences as well. Let their Beetroot Hummus (S$8.90) burger convince you of the goodness of mushroom patties or treat yourself to their Pesto Linguine (S$12.90) bursting with basil goodness.

18 Tai Seng St, #B1-02, 18 Tai Seng
Singapore 539775
Tel: +65 6384 9678
Daily: 9am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Tai Seng

ONE BAR CAFE

One Bar Cafe will have your tastebuds singing — literally. Started by four band members, this 3-in-1 establishment ticks all the boxes of “cafe”, “bar” and “live music venue”.

Also, every Thursday is the cafe’s open-mic night! So grab your pals and head down for a liberal time of food and song!

1 Irving Place #01-25, The Commerze @ Irving
Singapore 369546
Tel: +65 8798 2625
Tues to Sat: 11am – 10pm
Sun: 11am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Tai Seng

Photo Credit: www.facebook.com/rockymastersingapores/

ROCKY MASTER

You may or may not have heard of this cafe-restaurant with over 10 outlets islandwide. But, even if you have, you probably don’t have much of an impression of it. Well, it’s time you gave them a shot because this place actually serves up a wide variety of pretty delectable grub.

18 Tai Seng St, #01-28, 18 Tai Seng
Singapore 539775
Tel: +65 6384 5096
Daily: 11.30am – 8.30pm
Nearest Station: Tai Seng

Photo Credit: www.facebook.com/soramensg/

SÕ RAMEN

Sõ Ramen serves up some pretty solid bowls at budget-friendly prices. Made with premium wheat flour, their ramen comes in three forms. Each type is specially curated to bring out the best of each broth.

Get cosy with their Grand Tonkotsu Ramen (S$13.90), which will warm your soul with its rich hearty broth carrying melt-in-your-mouth pork cheek, silken cha shu, and braised pork belly. For something lighter on the palate, their Shoyu Ramen (S$10.90) is just as comforting.

30 Tai Seng St, #01-03, BreadTalk IHQ
Singapore 534013
Tel: +65 6444 5516
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Tai Seng

THE BOILER

Get your hands dirty with some good ol’ crab at The Boiler, which does some seriously delicious Cajun-style seafood. Diners flock there for their seafood boil speciality, which features an assortment of seafood bathed in your choice of sauce and served in a bag. There’s nothing pretty about it but rest assured that it’s going to be one big beautiful mess.

The Bombdiggity Bag (S$149) is one of their best-sellers, consisting of Dungeness crab, mussels, prawns and a whole load of other ingredients. It’s big enough to be shared amongst four or one giant Hulk. If seafood ain’t your thang, their Southern Hot Crispy Chicken Sandwich (S$14.90) is a killer option as well.

18 Howard Rd, #01-06, Novelty Bizcentre
Singapore 369585
Tel: +65 6635 1285
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Tai Seng

Photo Credit: www.instagram.com/lixuanpoh/

THE BONELESS KITCHEN

Vegetarian jjajangmyeon and kimchi jjigae that actually tastes good? Sign us up, please. The Boneless Kitchen is a vegetarian Korean restaurant that has been breaking ground in the local Korean food scene for many years now.

While the extensiveness of their menu isn’t comparable to most Korean establishments in Singapore, it’s definitely sufficient to trigger our appetites. Their Kimchi Jeon (S$3.90) makes for the perfect starter, coming in crispy and mildly spicy bite-sized pieces. But, the real feast begins when the gigantic Army Jeongol (S$36.90/2 pax) arrives. Packed with instant ramen, spam, cheese, mushrooms and a whole load of other ingredients, it’ll have you feeling like a soldier charged for battle.

1 Irving Pl, #01-31 Commerze @ Irving
Singapore 369546
Tel: +65 8457 6464
Daily: 12pm – 9pm
Nearest Station: Tai Seng

THE FLAME CAFE

Housed in an industrial building, The Flame Cafe is a great venue for hosting large gatherings. While they offer a good variety of Western dishes, we suggest you just come here for their smashing Halal pagoda steamboat buffet.

Layered with four tiers, their steamboat contraption allows you to boil, barbecue and steam your ingredients all at the same time. Their buffet selection ranges from marinated meats and seafood to vegetables and mushrooms.

73 Upper Paya Lebar Rd, Level 1, Central Bianco Building
Singapore 534818
Tel: +65 6282 0251
Daily: 11.30am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Tai Seng

THE GOOD BOYS JUICE AND COFFEE BAR

Clean eating has never been easier than with the help of The Good Boys Juice and Coffee Bar. Despite their name, they sure know how to make a mean smoothie bowl. Their smoothie bowls come in huge heart-shaped bowls and are loaded with an assortment of toppings. Our favourites are the TGB Acai Bowl (S$12) and Going Nuts (S$12) bowl.

Besides smoothie bowls, they also offer a line-up of hearty noodle/grain salads and beverages. Customise your own TGB Hearty Bowl (S$9) and pair it with any of their juice blends for a wholesome lunch!

1 Irving Pl, #01-26, The Commerze Building
Singapore 369546
Tel: +65 8130 1083
Mon to Fri: 8am – 6.30pm
Sat to Sun: 10am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Tai Seng

TIM HO WAN

We don’t know about you, but we’re suckers for dim sum. And sure, Swee Choon is great, but where do we go when we’re looking for somewhere just a little up the tier? Tim Ho Wan is the answer.

This casual dim sum restaurant doesn’t have the most extensive menu that trails across the floor but every dish is satisfying enough. The apple of the restaurant’s eye has got to be their Baked BBQ Pork Buns (S$6.20), which will win your heart with their flaky buttery crust encasing sticky, juicy chunks of char siew.

Other menu highlights include their Pan-Fried Radish Cake and chee cheong fun rolls.

18 Tai Seng St, 18 Tai Seng, #01-36
Singapore 534119
Tel: +65 6246 2000
Mon to Fri: 11am – 9pm
Sat to Sun: 10am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Tai Seng

TOOK LAE DEE

We’ve seen enough of overseas brands coming to Singapore and not living up to the hype. Thankfully, Took Lae Dee is not one of them. This famed restaurant chain operates 24/7 in Bangkok and has landed on our shores at 18 Tai Seng. With a name that translates into “cheap and good”, you can expect some seriously affordable fare.

Their best-selling Pad Krapow (S$6) is adored by many for its piquant basil kick coating the stir-fried minced pork. Top on a fried egg (S$1.20) for that glorious runny yolk enhancement. As for their Pad Thai ($6 for chicken, $7.20 for prawn), it’s an extremely tasty and authentic rendition, albeit verging on the sweet side.

18 Tai Seng Street, #01-34/35/K9, 18 Tai Seng
Singapore 539775
Tel: +65 6702 2000
Daily: 11am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Tai Seng

WISHES CAFE

Wishes Cafe is yet another neighbourhood dessert cafe that does excellent handmade gelato. Creamy and lusciously rich, every batch of gelato is made daily for utmost freshness. Their well-loved flavours include Kaya, Pistachio and Lychee Rose (S$3.50/single, S$6/double).

As if the prices weren’t reasonable enough, they have a special promotion every day from 7 pm – 9 pm where diners can get a scoop of gelato at a mere S$2 for every waffle order!

Block 36, Circuit Rd, #01-414
Singapore 370036
Tel: +65 9299 6161
Sun to Thurs: 12pm – 10pm
Fri to Sat: 12pm — 11pm
Nearest Station: MacPherson

YAMATO IZAKAYA

For those days when you and your colleagues can’t seem to agree on a lunch spot, Yamato Izakaya may help to ease the tension. This 3-in-1 institution houses three different restaurants — Man Man, Hitoyoshi Ramen and Tora Tora.

Famed for their signature unagi, Man Man serves up freshly grilled eel that’s dreamily tender and smoky. Take your pick from their three portion sizes: Unatama (S$20.50++), Medium (S$28.40++) and Large (S$36.10++).

If anyone needs to curb a ramen craving, Hitoyoshi Ramen will do the job. Their Tonkotsu Ramen (S$10.90) is satisfying enough, with a sizeable portion of thin ramen noodles, pork slices, black fungus and a perfect ramen egg.

Yamato Izakaya
65 Ubi Road 1, #01-92 Oxley Bizhub,
Singapore 408729
Tel: +65 6385 5273
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Tai Seng

In this day and age, it’s hard to find anyone who hasn’t heard of dim sum. This popular Cantonese tea-time delight has seen immense popularity all over the world and truth be told, you could even find places selling them in the far reaches of Europe. 

However, contrary to popular understanding, to the locals in Hong Kong, dim sum is more than just a tea time snack—it is ingrained as part of their lifestyle and more often than not, a meal that brings their family and loved ones together.

From enjoying dim sum at a boisterous cha chaan teng with the common folk or even at a prestigious Michelin-starred restaurant where the classic dim sum is given a shot of elegance and grandeur, here are 18 dim sum restaurants in Hong Kong you should definitely try. 

CHUK YUEN SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

Talk about a family-friendly seafood restaurant in Hong Kong, and locals would probably direct you to Chuk Yuen Seafood Restaurant.

That old establishment has been around for decades and today, it remains a popular haunt for locals when they want an unpretentious and good meal with family and friends.

On its menu, you have a great variety of dim sum and seafood favourites. Notable dim sum dishes are Egg Tarts (HK$21), Steamed Shrimp Dumpling (HK$39), Steamed Siew Mai (HK$29) and Baked BBQ Pork Buns (HK$26).

28 Hankow Rd, Hong Kong Pacific Centre
Hong Kong, Tsim Sha Tsui
Tel: +852 2722 0633
Mon to Sat: 11am – 12midnight
Sun & PH: 10am – 12midnight
Nearest Station: Tsim Sha Shui

DIM DIM SUM

Probably one of the more well-known dim sum restaurant chains in Hong Kong, Dim Dim Sum is a wallet-friendly option for locals and tourists in search of affordable and creative dim sum.

Besides the traditional Har Gau, Siew Mai and Steamed Spareribs with Black Bean Sauce, diners are also treated to an interesting range of dim sum options such as Pineapple Bun with Pineapple Custard Filling, Japanese-style Siew Mai and Chicken and Black Truffle Pot Pie.

Their Salted Egg Yolk Custard Buns come in adorable piggy shapes are extremely photogenic for your social media feed!

G/F, Man Wah Building
23 Man Ying Street, Jordan
Tel: +852 2771 7766
Daily: 10am – 1am
Nearest MTR: Jordan

DUDDELL’S

If you are looking for a place that impresses, Duddell’s at Central does that with their exquisite dim sum creations, hearty Cantonese soups and posh interior—they even have their own rooftop bar.

Awarded with two stars in Michelin Guide Hong Kong 2015, the restaurant is the choice destination for business meetings, family reunions and a date with your significant half.

On their dim sum menu, you will find Shrimp Dumpling with Matsutake Mushroom, Pork and Shrimp Dumpling with Scallop and Caviar, Steamed Barbecued Iberia Pork Bun… and the list goes on.

Level 3, Shanghai Tang Mansion
1 Duddell Street, Central
Tel: + 852 2525 9191
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 12am
Sun: 12pm – 11pm
Nearest MTR: Central

DYNASTY RESTAURANT

Award-winning Chinese restaurant Dynasty sits within the space of the elegant Renaissance Harbour View Hotel and while prices may be slightly steeper than the casual dim sum restaurants, this is where you will find amazing dim sum that comes with generous ingredients.

Besides their legendary Barbecued Pork, some crowd-favourites that can never go wrong are the Baked Crab Gratin and Baked Char Siu Pineapple Bun.

Renaissance Harbour View Hotel Hong Kong
1 Harbour Road, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2802 8888
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Sun: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest MTR: Wan Chai

FOOK LAM MOON

Fook Lam Moon’s primary clientele comprises the rich and famous in Hong Kong—dining at this 1-Michelin Starred restaurant is a bragging right on its own.

While you can most definitely expect only the best ingredients to go into the dim sum, the high price tag is not for all to digest. While the place may appear slightly snobbish, there is a reason why the restaurant is ever popular among the socialites over the weekends. And yes, their dim sum is pretty elegant.

Shop 3, G/F, Newman House
35-45 Johnston Road, Wan Chai
Tel: +852 2866 0663
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Nearest MTR: Wan Chai

FU SING SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

Fu Sing Seafood Restaurant is not at all pretentious and their traditional outlook is one reason why it makes the dining experience all the more authentic. They may be known for their shark’s fin but we would go for their dim sum any day.

Filled with the sweetest char siew fillings in an airily soft bun, Fu Sing’s Baked BBQ Pork Buns are the best that we’ve had in Hong Kong—that pillowy bun came with a full centre of char siew fillings and a crusty pineapple-shaped top. Other than that, the Steamed Rice Rolls with Dough Stick and Carrot Cake are excellent choices too.

Fu Sing Seafood Restaurant has three outlets in Hong Kong—Wan Chai, Causeway Bay and Central.

1/F, 68 Yee Woo Street, Causeway Bay
Tel: +852 2504 4228
Mon to Sat: 11am – 11pm
Sun & PH: 10.30am – 11pm
Nearest MTR: Causeway Bay

JADE GARDEN

Founded by leading F&B organisation Maxim’s Group, Jade Garden is a dim sum chain that is popular among families for their wide range of dim sum options and classic Cantonese dishes.

Dim sum is served on trolleys (so you get the true yum cha experience) and you get to pick what you like among the varieties on offer that day. Besides that, the restaurant also has dishes that are suitable for communal dining as well.

803-803A, Level 8
Grand Century Place
Mongkok, Kowloon
Tel: +852 2573 9339
Daily: 7.30am – 4pm, 5.30pm – 11.30pm
Nearest MTR: Prince Edward

KING’S DIM SUM

The best part about dim sum is that it can be enjoyed at any time of the day—whether its breakfast, tea or even supper. King’s Dim Sum is a hole-in-the-wall dim sum eatery in Causeway Bay which serves dim sum from 7am to 11.30pm.

Prices are considered reasonable here and the eatery even has a translated menu in English so tourists do not have to be shy about ordering. Although not as famous as the other big names, King’s Dim Sum is still an underrated place worth checking out.

Siki Centre, 23 Jardine’s Bazaar
Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2325 5010
Daily: 7am – 11.30pm
Nearest MTR: Tin Hau

LEI GARDEN

Established in 1973, Lei Garden is a very successful international dim sum brand that originally started off as a traditional Cantonese-style restaurant. The 1-Michelin Starred restaurant now has 24 branches in neighbouring countries such as Singapore and China too.

The food is consistently remarkable and always reliable no matter which branch you go to or when you visit. Among what we ordered, their Steamed Custard Stuffed Buns, with its molten centre, left a deep impression on our minds. Other notable items on the menu are the Pan-fried Pork Dumpling topped with rice nest and Deep-fried Taro Dumplings.

10/F, Times Square
1 Matheson Street, Causeway Bay
Tel: +852 2506 3828
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Nearest MTR: Causeway Bay

LIN HEUNG TEA HOUSE

Having been around for decades, Lin Heung Tea House is one of the oldest teahouses in Hong Kong—that will remind you of old Hong Kong in the 60s and 70s—and it is conveniently located at the bustling Wellington Street.

Do not be surprised if you are put on the waiting list as the restaurant sees a snaking line in the mornings which mostly consists of loyal patrons who make it a point to head back time and again for their dim sum which is served on trolleys by waitstaff who has been working there for decades.

160-164 Wellington Street
Central, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2544 4556
Daily: 6am – 10pm (dim sum untill 3.30pm only)
Nearest MTR: Sheung Wan

LUK YU TEA HOUSE

An institution that has been around long enough to be labelled as an icon in the Hong Kong dining scene, Luk Yu Tea House is very traditional and its setup is akin to what you see in Hong Kong dramas—complete with ancient touches of jades and marbles, sans the gangsters, of course.

Prices may not be the most affordable on the list and there is no good service to speak of here too but this is one place to check out for an authentic dim sum experience when you are in Hong Kong.

Diners will find the usual dim sum staples such as Egg Tarts, Har Gau and pau with various fillings on the menu.

24-26 Stanley Street, Central
Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2523 5464
Daily: 7am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Central

MAXIM’S PALACE

One of the most prominent names when it comes to dim sum, Maxim’s Palace at Central is MASSIVE—fitting up to 500 diners in one seating so you can expect the place to always be lively and bustling.

The restaurant serves their dim sum in trolleys that are filled with a hundred varieties of dim sum and signature dishes—all prepared fresh from the kitchen daily. With so many choices, there is always a reason to head back for more.

Enjoy a splendid selection of dim sum with the likes of chee cheong fun, taro puffs, har gau and other refined Cantonese fares.

3/F, City Hall 5-7 Edinburgh Place
Tel: +852 2521 1303
Mon to Sat: 11am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 11.30pm
Sun & PH: 9am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 11.30pm
Nearest Station: Central

ONE DIM SUM

After earning their one Michelin star in 2012, One Dim Sum has been gaining a steady reputation for their affordable dim sum and that also means that the restaurant is packed with regulars who return often for its much-lauded dim sum.

Everything on the menu is pleasantly affordable and nothing is above HK$28. You can indulge in a range of dim sum— be it the Steamed Vermicelli Rolls to buns and congees.

Shop 1 & 2, G/F, Kenwood Mansion
15 Playing Field Road, Prince Edward
Tel: +852 2789 2280
Mon to Fri: 10.30am – 12.30am
Sat & Sun: 9.30am – 12.30am
Nearest MTR: Prince Edward (Exit A)

SUN HING RESTAURANT

To satisfy your late-night or early morning dim sum craving, Sun Hing Restaurant in Kennedy Town is a chaotic dining establishment where diners eat and leave once they are done with their meal.

Look out for the dim sum counter where you can choose your own dim sum but the locals will encourage you to wait for the special dishes that are freshly prepared every hour. Don’t miss out on their signature Custard Bun—it has been making rounds on Instagram for its photogenic custard lava.

Shop C, G/F, 8 Smithfield Road
Kennedy Town
Tel: +852 2816 0616
Daily: 3am – 4pm
Nearest MTR: Kennedy Town

TIM HO WAN

Since its rapid international expansion, much has been said about the dipping standards of this one-Michelin starred dim sum empire. Even so, that has not deterred many tourists from visiting them and the queues are never-ending.

Diners may not find a large variety of dim sum but their selective menu is good for the undecided. Go for their famous Baked BBQ Pork Bun and Steamed Egg Cake.

G/F, 9-11 Fuk Wing Street
Sham Shui Po
Tel: +852 2788 1226
Daily: 8am – 10pm
Nearest MTR: Sham Shui Po

TIN LUNG HEEN

An upscale Cantonese restaurant situated in the swanky Ritz Carlton Hong Kong, Tin Lung Heen boasts an unbeatable view of the city’s skyline and dim sum that’s literally fit for royalty.

The menu sprawls across many categories, including roast meat, vegetables, dim sum, but the must-try dish is its Iberian Pork. Its fine dim sum coupled with spectacular views from the 102nd floor makes Tin Lung Heen a must-visit destination in Hong Kong.

102/F, The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong
International Commerce Centre
1 Austin Road West, Tsim Sha Tsui
Tel: +852 2263 2270
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Sat, Sun & PH: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest MTR: Kowloon

WEST VILLA

There is nothing fancy about the place that will catch your attention. In fact, West Villa is an old and traditional-looking restaurant at Causeway Bay you will probably skip if you aren’t looking out for it.

However, diners will be delighted to know that they take their roasts and braised meats seriously and one that you should really consider ordering is their BBQ Pork.

5/F Lee Gardens One
33 Hysan Avenue, Causeway Bay
Tel: +852 2882 2100
Daily: 11am – 11.30pm
Nearest MTR: Causeway Bay

YAN TOH HEEN

2-Michelin Starred restaurant, Yan Toh Heen, within InterContinental Hong Kong has received raving reviews for their Cantonese delights. Guests dine in an elegant setting, decked out in jade decor and have a chance to taste Executive Chef Lau Yiu Fai’s master creations.

Baked Roasted Duck & Taro Buns, Steamed Barbecued Pork Buns and Steamed Prawn and Bamboo Shoot Dumplings are just some items on the menu to name.

G/F, InterContinental Hong Kong
18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
Tel: +852 2721 1211
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 2pm, 6pm – 11pm
Sun & PH: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Tsim Sha Tsui

Singaporeans love to eat. We really do. In fact, stories of Singaporeans travelling across international borders just for food is extremely common. We, too, live by the motto of “will travel for food”.

And Hong Kong is one of the preferred destinations amongst Singaporeans for the F&B scene in the city is outstanding to say the least. They have amazing trends, sexy places, and food that are nothing short of interesting.

Over the past years, we have seen several openings of successful Hong Kong food establishments right in Singapore; many more to come, because here in Singapore, we are always up for great food.

From Michelin-starred Tim Ho Wan to the famous Tai Cheong Bakery, here are 10 Popular Food Brands From Hong Kong That Have Opened or Are Opening Soon In Singapore.

#1 HONEYMOON DESSERTS

Honeymoon Desserts first started in Sai Kung, Hong Kong, before expanding at full force. Today, there are 400 outlets worldwide and the chainstore has successfully brought a slice of Hong Kong’s dessert culture into Singapore.

Customers can expect a plethora of tantalising Hong Kong-style desserts such as mango pudding, glutinous rice balls and snow fungus soup.

Various locations

#2 HONOLULU CAFE

Hong Kong’s famous cha chaan teng Honolulu Cafe is opening in Singapore! Famous for its egg tarts with flaky pastry, it will open a 1,500 sq ft restaurant with 50 seats at The CentrePoint in Orchard Road this April. We will go out on a limb to say that Honolulu Cafe has the best egg tarts in Hong Kong.

#3 JENNY BAKERY

Jenny Bakery is renowned for their freshly baked delicious butter cookies and iconic teddy bear tin boxes. With its existing legion of fans, Jenny Bakery has chosen to open its shop in the heartlands of Ang Mo Kio instead.

422 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3
#01-253/4
Singapore 560422
Tel: +65 9235 7320
Mon: Closed
Tue to Sat: 11am – 8pm
Sun: 12pm – 6pm

#4 KAM’S ROAST GOOSE

Despite its glorious Michelin star status, Kam’s Roast Goose restaurant remains unpretentious and continues to serve one of the best roast goose one would ever have in his or her lifetime.

Kam’s Roast Goose is set to open an eatery in Singapore during the first quarter of 2016, but both the exact opening date and location remain unknown to the public. We can’t wait already!

Read: Guide to Hong Kong’s Best Roast Goose Restaurants.

#5 MAK’S NOODLE

Mak’s Noodle is a household name amongst Hong Kong natives and even foreigners; where it made a special appearance on Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations TV Series.

The world-famous restaurant opened an outlet in Singapore in July this year, where Wellington Street’s 70-year-old head chef has relocated to Singapore to oversee the kitchen for the next two years. It is their first overseas outpost.

176 Orchard Road
The Centrepoint, #01-63/64
Singapore 238843
Tel: +65 6235 5778
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

#6 MR RICH BAKERY

Mr Rich Bakery’s unbelievably fluffy Butter, Coffee Almond, Choco-Marshmallow and Matcha Latte cookies are currently up for grabs at its officially appointed distributor Asia Food Mart’s retail space at TripleOne Somerset.

The good news is that the beloved butter cookie brand from Hong Kong is currently looking for a location in Singapore and will be opening its first flagship retail shop by the start of the second quarter of 2016.

111 Somerset Road
#02-04, Asia Food Mart
Singapore 238164
Nearest Station: Somerset

#7 TAI CHEONG BAKERY

Founded in 1954, Tai Cheong Bakery is a perennial favourite amongst native Hongkongers, expats and even tourists. After serving their irresistibly tasty egg tarts for over half a century, the Hong Kong-based establishment has decided to open a shop in Singapore; they sure know we Singaporeans love them. We can, too, expect Bo Lo Bao and other Cha Chaan Teng dishes etc.

Location to be confirmed

#8 THE BUTCHER’S CLUB

The Butcher’s Club was only founded in 2013, but has already quickly gained the recognition of locals and expats alike for being Hong Kong’s best burger joint. The Butcher’s Club opened its first restaurant in Singapore at Clarke Quay in October 2015.

With an emphasis of introducing dry-aged premium beef from Australia, diners are in some really mean burgers. We highly recommend their Red-Eye Reduction Burger (S$28+).

3A River Valley Road
#01-01B, Block A, Clarke Quay
Singapore 179020
Tel: +65 6837 0675
Sun to Tue: 12pm – 12am
Wed and Thu: 12pm – 2am
Fri and Sat: 12pm – 3am
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

#9 THE COFFEE ACADEMICS

Voted by CNNGo and Vogue as one of the best coffee shops in the world, The Coffee Academics is truly the go-to place for your caffeine fix. The cafe takes up 3000 sq ft and sits within OnPedder at Scotts on level 2.

Read: Guide to Hong Kong’s Best Cafes & Coffee Shops.

Lvl 2 Scotts Square
6 Scotts Road
Singapore 228209
Daily: 10am – 4pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

#10 TIM HO WAN

Tim Ho Wan was a hole-in-the-wall Hong Kong eatery that defied all odds and caught the attention of Michelin inspectors.

Today, the one-Michelin-star restaurant has several outlets across Singapore and we are glad that there is even one at Aperia Mall that opens round the clock! Do not go to Tim Ho Wan without ordering their signature Baked Bun with Barbecue Pork.

Read: Guide to Hong Kong’s Best Dim Sum Restaurants.

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

For more recommendations, read our guide to the best places in Hong Kong.

Dim Sum is a ritual in Hong Kong. It is a lifestyle, it is a past-time, it is quintessentially Hong Kong.

Many cultures have something similar like the Spanish tapas, the Italian cicheti and the Japanese izakaya, but dim sum is somewhat on a different level, very gastronomical and exquisite, and is truly special especially to us Asians.

From traditional dim sum teahouses, to the cheapest Michelin Starred dim sum restaurants, and very posh Chinese restaurants that offer an exquisite dining experience like no other – there are countless of dim sum restaurants in Hong Kong, and while the choices are mind-boggling to say the least, we have shortlisted our favourites to share with all of you.

Here is our guide to Hong Kong’s 15 Dim Sum Restaurants You Must Dine At.

#1 DIM DIM SUM

A place that serves affordable and creative dim sum is Dim Dim Sum, which has several outlets – Mong Kok, Sha Tin, Wan Chai and Jordan.

Besides the usual suspects like Har Gau (HK$28) and Siew Mai (HK$21), Dim Dim Sum also has a variety of interesting creations with a twist such as Pineapple Bun with custard and pineapple fillings (HK$19), Stuffed Eggplant (HK$21) with teriyaki sauce, and Pan-fried Lotus Root Cakes (HK$24).

The Salted Egg Yolk Custard Buns (HK$20) that come in piggy shapes is a good bet, and is very photogenic!

G/F, Man Wah Building
23 Man Ying Street, Jordan
Tel: +852 2771 7766
Daily: 10am – 1am
Nearest MTR: Jordan

#2 DUDDELL’S

Awarded with two stars in Michelin Guide Hong Kong 2015, Duddell’s at Central is one of the bests that we’ve dined at. It boasts an elegant ambiance with fine dim sum and Cantonese soups, and has a rooftop bar.

Good for lunch meetings, even better for unwinding after work if you need a drink or two. Duddell’s adds a touch of sexiness to the humdrum of the business district.

As for dim sum, Duddell’s offers the classic items that are presented in a refined manner. Shrimp Dumpling comes with Matsutake Mushroom (HK$60) or Fish Maw (HK$69), Pork Dumpling is served with scallop (HK$60), Mushroom Dumpling is topped with Black Truffle (HK$69), Abalone Puff with Chicken (HK$58)… You get the idea.

Level 3, Shanghai Tang Mansion
1 Duddell Street, Central
Tel: + 852 2525 9191
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Sun: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest MTR: Central

#3 DYNASTY RESTAURANT

Sitting within Renaissance Harbour View Hotel is Dynasty Restaurant, an elegant space that dishes out fine dim sum. The price tags may be on a steeper side, but that is because the kitchen is not stingy with their ingredients.

Some of the more popular dishes include Shrimp and Crabmeat Deep-Fried Toasts (HK$65), Quail Egg with Minced Shrimp and Pork Steamed Dumpling (HK$65), Barbecued Pork Bun (HK$58), and Black Truffle Sauce Vegetarian Dumpling (HK$58).

Renaissance Harbour View Hotel Hong Kong
1 Harbour Road, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2584 6971
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Sun: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest MTR: Wan Chai

#4 FOOK LAM MOON

Frequented by the rich and famous personalities in Hong Kong, Fook Lam Moon is a 1-Michelin Starred restaurant that is renowned for its haute Cantonese cuisine. Dining here is not cheap at all; prices of dim sum range from HK$60 to HK$70.

While the items are all prepared with premium ingredients, the price tag is not for all to digest. The vibe can be a little pretentious too, but there is a reason why the high societies love it so much and why the place is always packed on weekends. Their dim sum is indeed pretty elegant.

Shop 3, G/F, Newman House
35-45 Johnston Road,, Wan Chai
Tel: +852 2866 0663
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Nearest MTR: Wan Chai

#5 FU SING SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

Dim sum lovers, all hail Fu Sing Seafood Restaurant. The whole outlet looks traditional, but that is what makes them such an atmospheric spot for a dim sum meal. They are widely known for their shark’s fins, but we would take the dim sum any time.

Filled with the sweetest char siew fillings in a airily soft bun, Fu Sing’s Baked BBQ Pork Buns (HK$38) are the best that we’ve had in Hong Kong. We can never forget that pillowy bun that came with a full center of char siew fillings and a crusty pineapple-shaped top. Other than that, the Steamed Rice Rolls with Dough Stick (HK$48) and Steamed Shrimp Dumplings (HK$38) are really satisfying too.

Fu Sing Seafood Restaurant has three outlets in Hong Kong – Wan Chai, Causeway Bay and Central.

1/F, 68 Yee Woo Street, Causeway Bay
Tel: +852 2504 4228
Mon to Sat: 11am – 11pm
Sun & PH: 10.30am – 11pm
Nearest MTR: Causeway Bay

#6 LEI GARDEN

The most consistent Michelin Star Restaurant for dim sum? Lei Garden wins the award hands down.

Lei Garden is known for its weekend dim sum crowds, and it is little wonder given the quality of their dim sum. The food is consistently remarkable and always reliable no matter which branch you go to or when you visit. The Steamed Thousand Layers Sponge Cake (HK$32) was really soft and sweet, and the Steamed Custard Stuffed Buns (HK$32) with a flowy center left a deep impression on us.

10/F, Times Square
1 Matheson Street, Causeway Bay
Tel: +852 2506 3828
Nearest MTR: Causeway Bay

#7 LIN HEUNG TEAHOUSE

An institution in Hong Kong, Lin Heung Teahouse has been around for decades and it is one of the oldest teahouses in Hong Kong. Conveniently located at the bustling Wellington Street, Lin Heung offers a taste of Old Hong Kong, and is very well-loved by both locals and tourists alike.

Lin Heung Teahouse is as old-school as it gets; dim sum is served using trolleys the traditional way, and most of the staff have worked there for decades. If you get there early enough in the morning, you will find yourself among locals who have been dining there for many years.

The staff here tend to be ruder – especially to foreigners who cannot speak Cantonese – but that’s just part of the Hong Kong’s traditional dining culture, no?

160-164 Wellington Street
Central, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2544 4556
Daily: 6am – 11pm, dim sum till 3.30pm
Nearest MTR: Sheung Wan

#8 LUK YU TEA HOUSE

Dining at Luk Yu Tea House – also one of the oldest dim sum restaurants in Hong Kong – is as though you were transported back in time to the 60′s. Very traditional with ancient touches of jades and marbles, Luk Yu Tea House actually looks and feels like a movie set. But we really love how atmospheric it is this way, less the gangsters, of course. Yes, it used to be a haunt for the biggest gangsters in town. Such history to speak of!

Prices are not cheap, but what you are paying for is the experience of dining at a traditional teahouse with authentic Hong Kong dim sum. Service is bad too – be prepared to face rude and nonchalant servers. If you are willing to overlook these, Luk Yu is still worth a visit for those who have never been. Don’t leave without trying the Siew Mai with Pork Liver.

24-26 Stanley Street
Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2523 5464
Daily: 7am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Central

#9 MAXIM’S PALACE

The flagship outlet at City Hall offers the most quintessential Hong Kong dim sum experience. Accommodate 500 guests at one go, Maxim’s Palace is massive and it is noisy. It ranks top for its authenticity by retaining its practice of serving dim sum on trolleys – the good ol’ traditional way.

There will be 18 trolleys – filled with a hundred varieties of dim sum and signature dishes that are all prepared fresh from the kitchen daily – going around the dining hall, and you pick what you like. No matter how many times you go back, there is always something familiar to pick from among your favourite dishes, as well as something new to try.

Apart from the usual suspects like har gau, siew mai and chee cheong fun, you can also find mouth-watering and refined Cantonese fare that is prepared with a sheer passion for Canton-style cooking. Its signature dishes include Deep-fried Prawns with Mango Salad Dressing, Deep-fried Sliced Garoupa with Sweet Corn Sauce,

3/F, City Hall 5-7 Edinburgh Place
Tel: +852 2521 1303
Mon to Sat: 11am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 11pm
Sun & PH: 9am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Central

#10 ONE DIM SUM

With just one nondescript and humble outlet in Prince Edward, One Dim Sum has been in the spotlight ever since they earned their one Michelin star in 2012. Even though it did not retain the Michelin star, the queue at the restaurant remains the same every day – it is mostly packed with regulars who return again and again for its much-lauded dim sum.

Everything on the menu is pleasantly affordable. You can expect your everyday dim sum selection, special creations and daily surprises that can be found on the black board. And nothing is above HK$26.

Choose from the classic favourites like Baked Barbecue Pork Bun (HK$15 for a plate of 3), Steamed Siew Mai (HK$24 for a basket of 4), Steamed Vermicelli Roll with Deep Fried Flour Roll (HK$17 per portion), Steam Cake in Mala Style (HK$16).

There is something so enchanting about enjoying a cheap dim sum meal while being surrounded by locals, and trying to understand all their concurrent Cantonese conversations.

Shop 1 & 2, G/F, Kenwood Mansion
15 Playing Field Road, Prince Edward
Tel: +852 2789 2280
Mon to Fri: 11am – 12.30 midnight
Sat & Sun: 10am – 12.30 midnight
Nearest MTR: Prince Edward (Exit A)

#11 SUN HING RESTAURANT

If you are feeling peckish in the middle of the night, head over to Sun Hing Restaurant in Kennedy Town. It opens from 3am till 4pm the next day. It is very chaotic in there though, so do not linger. Just eat and go.

There is a dim sum counter where you can pick your dim sum, and the staff often brings out special dishes that are freshly prepared every hour. We observed and noticed the locals actually sit around to wait for these random specials. Anyway, be sure to try the much-lauded Custard Bun. Most dim sum dishes are priced below HK$20.

Shop C, G/F, 8 Smithfield Road
Kennedy Town
Tel: +852 2816 0616
Daily: 3am – 4pm
Nearest MTR: Kennedy Town

#12 TIM HO WAN

Tim Ho Wan shot to fame being the original poster boy as the cheapest One-Michelin Starred Dim Sum Restaurant. Within a few years, its dim sum empire has expanded to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Manila and Sydney.

We used to be big fans of Tim Ho Wan as it was really good and cheap. But prices have gone up significantly and the standard is no longer as good as before. That said, if you have never tried Tim Ho Wan before and do not mind to wait in line, it is still worth a visit. Tim Ho Wan may no longer be the cheapest dim sum restaurant in Hong Kong, but it still has several things going for it. The much-lauded Baked BBQ Pork Bun alone is reason enough for you to visit them.

G/F, 9-11 Fuk Wing Street
Sham Shui Po
Tel: +852 2788 1226
Daily: 8am – 10pm
Nearest MTR: SHam Shui Po

#13 TIN LUNG HEEN

For dim sum with a view, no one can beat Tin Lung Heen at the swanky Ritz Carlton Hong Kong. Perched at the top of the commerce building, Tin Lung Heen is perhaps the highest Chinese restaurant in Hong Kong and it offers unparalleled views of city’s skyline.

The menu sprawls across many categories, including roast meat, vegetables, dim sum, but the must-try dish is its Kurobuta Pork. The excellent dim sum offerings, coupled with the amazing view and excellent service, make Tin Lung Heen a destination Hong Kong for dim sum lovers.

102/F, The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong
International Commerce Centre
1 Austin Road West, Tsim Sha Tsui
Tel: +852 2263 2270
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Sat, Sun & PH: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest MTR: Kowloon

#14 WEST VILLA

Yet another old and traditional-looking outlet is West Villa at Causeway Bay. We learned of the countless raves about them, but strange enough, while the ambiance is that of the typical Hong Kong dim sum house, we were not particularly impressed.

Alright, food was decent though. They take their braise seriously, and the Goose Webs with Abalone Sauce (S$70) is a bestseller. The roast options are worth ordering too – Sliced BBQ Pork (S$88), Cantonese Roasted Pork (S$118) and Roasted Baby Pigeon (S$68).

5/F Lee Gardens One
33 Hysan Avenue, Causeway Bay
Tel: +852 2882 2100
Mon to Sat: 11am – 11.30pm
Sun: 10am – 11.30pm
Nearest MTR: Causeway Bay

#15 YAN TOH HEEN

Known for its refined Cantonese cuisine, Yan Toh Heen is a 2-Michelin Starred restaurant at Intercontinental Hong Kong. Start with the Yan Toh Heen Three Trios (HK$158) – a dim sum platter of Puff Pastry with crabmeat, mango and avocado; Bun with Duck Liver and Taro; and Crispy Rice Paper Roll with Seafood, Peach and Almonds. Other interesting dim sum options include Baked Roasted Duck & Taro Buns (HK$66), Wok-seared Buns with Wagyu Beef and Cumin (HK$60).

Yah Toh Heen’s Peking Duck (HK$1,180) is also one of the best in Hong Kong. What makes the Peking Duck here different is the condiments and sauces. It is served with six condiments that include green papaya, cucumber, red chilli, pineapple, yuzu and spring onion; as well as three different sauces – traditional sweet sauce, osmanthus plum sauce, and black garlic chilli sauce.

G/F, InterContinental Hong Kong
18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
Tel: +852 2721 1211
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 11pm
Sun & PH: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Tsim Sha Tsui

For more recommendations, read our curated Hong Kong Travel Guides.

Tim Ho Wan, the cheapest 1 Michelin Star dim sum restaurant from Hong Kong, is opening in Singapore at The Atrium @ Orchard, Plaza Singapura today. Opened by Chef Mak Kwai Pui (previously from Lung King Heen at Four Seasons Hong Kong), Tim Ho Wan has gained a strong following over the years and long queues are a common sight at his restaurants.

We got a sneak preview at a media tasting last night. Here are some of the highlights from the much anticipated Tim Ho Wan in Singapore.

The star on the menu and what you must order at Tim Ho Wan is the legendary Baked Buns with BBQ Pork ($4.50 for 3). I can say with confidence after trying, that the buns are as good as the ones in Hong Kong.

The Steamed Egg Cake ($3.80), another of Tim Ho Wan’s ‘Big Four Heavenly Kings’, is also a must-try — soft, fluffy and very addictive. I also enjoyed both the Steamed Prawn Dumplings ($5.50 for 4) and Steamed Pork Dumplings ($5 for 4). These classics were well-executed to a good standard.

Also good was the Deep-fried Beancurd Skin Roll ($4.20 for 3). It was a lot better than I thought it would be, and this was because of two combined successes — the deep-fried beancurd skin roll was not too greasy, and the fillings were of impressionable quality.

Tim Ho Wan also offers five different variations of Vermicelli Roll (Chee Cheong Fun) – BBQ Pork ($5.50), Shrimp ($5.50), Beef ($5.50), Black Pepper ($5) and its signature Pig’s Liver ($5.50).

We also tried the Steamed Beef Balls with Beancurd Skin ($4.20 for 3) and Steamed Dumpling Teochew Style ($4 for 3), and while decent, both were unremarkable.

The Pan-fried Carrot Cake ($4.50 for 3), one of the much-lauded items on the menu, was disappointing. It was slightly bland and it was missing the x-factor of a carrot cake that would otherwise mark a satisfying dim sum meal.

Other dishes on the menu include Glutinous Rice Dumpling ($5), Chicken Feet with Black Bean Sauce ($4), Pork Rib with Black Bean Sauce ($4.20) and Garlic, Mushroom, Spinach Dumpling ($3.80 for 3). They also have a rice category where they serve dishes such as Rice with Beef & Fried Egg ($6), and Rice with Chicken, Sausage and Mushroom ($6).

To end off the meal, there are two sweets available – the Tonic Medlar & Osmanthus Cake ($3.50 for 3) and Yam Puree with Sago ($3.50).

Supporters of Tim Ho Wan swear by the awesome BBQ pork buns and their affordable dim sum. At the same time, there are naysayers who feel that it is over-rated and not worth the time. This brings us back to the million dollar question: Is Tim Ho Wan worth the hype and queue?

Tim Ho Wan got famous because it offered good dim sum at very cheap prices – when it first started, you could get a very satisfying meal for around HK$50-80 (S$9-13) per person. However, with the high rental in Singapore – as with its branch at IFC Hong Kong – the dim sum here is slightly pricier. Most of the items are priced around $4-5.50 per basket. To be fair, they are still comparable with Singapore’s average; most dim sum restaurants in Singapore are priced at that range as well.

The dim sum in general is good. If you have never been to Tim Ho Wan in Hong Kong, then this one in Singapore is not to be missed. But if you had been there before, then I would suggest to give it a little wait before stepping into the Singapore outlet. As with any new restaurant, there will inevitably be teething problems. I urge everyone to be patient.

All in all, the arrival of Tim Ho Wan is great news and a strong boost to the F&B scene in Singapore. Tim Ho Wan will be opening its second branch at Toa Payoh in July, before adding four other branches by the end of this year.

Tim Ho Wan
#01-29 Plaza Singapura
The Atrium @ Orchard
68 Orchard Road
Tel: +65 6251 2000
Note: This was an invited media tasting.

The long queues outside Tim Ho Wan, the cheapest one Michelin star restaurant in the world, are a testament to its popularity. Waiting time is easily an hour, yet people queue up for their dim sum. Now, we will be able to enjoy the famous barbecued pork buns without having to fly to Hong Kong. Tim Ho Wan will be opening its first overseas outlet in the new atrium wing of Plaza Singapura on 10 April 2013.

After my trip to Hong Kong in September, I wasn’t expecting to see the vibrant city so soon, at least not within this year. But things always happen when you are least expecting them, so when an invitation came from the Novotel Group to gather a few bloggers from all over Asia for a short holiday in the land of dim sum and roast goose — my answer was short and sweet: YES! I want to eat egg tarts!

On my previous trip, we were scrambling around Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and Lautau Island and it was more of a touch-and-go as we wanted to see as many places we could. This time round, I did a lot more eating and shopping at a much relaxed pace — so to add on to my earlier guide, here’s another 10 Things to Do in Hong Kong.

I was there during the Halloween week in end October, and the notable difference was the change in weather. Back in September, it was warm and slightly humid, but this time round, the weather was good great fantastic. It was windy, and starting to get cold. Everyone was out in their semi-winter clothing: coats, scarfs and boots. It’s a nice change to be able to dress up without having stares as though I’m a weirdo. I love Hong Kong!

Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival 2010

If you are planning a holiday to Hong Kong next year, why not go during the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Month during November? With a diverse assortment of unique traditional Chinese festivals and Western cultural celebrations, there will be plenty to see and EAT.

We got passes for the opening Gala of the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival, and it was a magnificent event with wine and food from all over the world. The picture of the burger you see above, is the best burger in the world, only because it was the first proper food that I had for that day. Imagine being surrounded by crates of wine when you are on an empty stomach.

The Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival was held at Kowloon and the venue had a brilliant view of Victoria Harbour. The yearly festival is organized by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, with more than 160 wine booths and another 60 food booths participating for the event.

I must have like what, five, or six samplings of dessert wine. Minh and Boo were amused by my sweet tooth as they opted for glasses of white wine instead. After many glasses of wine (priced at 1-2 voucher tickets, 10HKD each voucher), nibbles of cheese, and a few bites here and there, we decided to call it a day to prepare for the next day.

Visit during the Halloween week and watch Lang Kwai Fong comes alive

It was so much fun looking at all the people who dressed up for Halloween! Everyone was in their crazy outfits, and I swear all of them flocked to Lang Kwai Fong – the most happening nightlife place in Asia. The Hong Kong police was there to cordon the area and we had to take a huge detour just to get to Lang Kwai Fong.

Queue up for the World’s cheapest Michelin-Star restaurant

Is Tim Ho Wan Dim Sum Restaurant worth queuing up for? Yes. Is it true that they are the cheapest Michelin-Star restaurant? Yes. Are their dim sum really so good? Yes.

The dim sum at Tim Ho Wan are so good that they deserve a post on its own, but I’m too lazy to blog a few separate posts. I shall attempt the impossible and try to squeeze everything within my list of 10 things to eat in Hong Kong.

My fellow food bloggers Minh and Boo went early at 9.30am to queue up for a table. By the time I got there at 9.50am (don’t judge me, my hotel was much further away), and lo and behold — a long queue forming outside the restaurant. There was a sense of relief as the restaurant opened its doors at 10am and we were the first batch of 29 people to get into Tim Ho Wan that day.

Baskets and baskets of dim sum started to arrive on our table, and there was “ooh” and “whoa” all around. I’m not going to go into details of everything that we had, but some of the must-try dim sum at Tim Ho Wan are:

The Baked bun with BBQ pork (Char Siu Bau). How can something so simple taste so good? The char siew filling was perfect, it hit the right tones for savoury and sweet, and the deep-fried bun was crisp around the edges but not too oily. I actually exclaimed “oh my god” aloud. The Steamed Prawn Dumpling was very well executed with thin and translucent skin, and fresh crunchy prawn. I managed to grab a Siew Mai from the folks who shared a table with us. It  had the right proportion of lean meat, I put the whole thing into my mouth and swallowed it. Oh the tasty little thing!

I’m not a fan of ham siu kok, but very few dim sum restaurants serve this nowadays, so you may want to try it at Tim Ho Wan. It was also my first attempt on Chicken Feet as I always thought that it’s disgusting. But since I’m already at Tim Ho Wan, there’s nothing to lose so I decided to give it a shot. I hate to say this, but it was surprisingly delicious.

I was having one of the best meals of my life, and somehow I managed to eat so much dim sum even though my stomach was protesting. “Just one more, just one more dim sum. I promise to eat less for dinner.”

Between the three of us, we had 15 dim sum dishes and paid only HKD 210 (SGD$37)! Can you imagine paying just SGD$12 for top quality dim sum? It’s dirt cheap! Is Tim Ho Wan really worth the hype? Yes, I’ll willingly queue up for their dim sum every time I’m in Hong Kong.

I recommend going to Tim Ho Wan early in the morning. They open at 10am so you decide what time you want to be there. If you are there after 10am, they will give you a queue number so you can walk around the area and come back later.

Getting there: From Mong Kok Station, find Tung Choi Street/Women Street, turn right and walk all the way to the end of the street and turn left. If you get lost, scream for help get directions from the locals.

Tim Ho Wan
2-8 Kwong Wah St
Mong Kok, Hong Kong, China

Eat at many Michelin Star Restaurants if you have the money to splurge

Maybe it’s just me, but I didn’t particularly enjoyed the Michelin Star experience. Well, I mean they are great, in the sense that you are feeling: “whoa, I just ate at this Michelin Star Restaurant!” But other than that, there’s really nothing to shout about. My first michelin star restaurant was Yung Kee during my previous trip to Hong Kong earlier in September this year. The Roast Goose was good, but I wouldn’t pay that kind of money or queue up half an hour for it.

After eating at Tim Ho Wan, we went to Island Tang Restaurant the next day to have lunch with the folks from the Hong Kong Tourism board. To be fair, the dining experience at the Michelin Star restaurant is pretty good: impeccable service, good food – but it wasn’t really out-of-this-world. Maybe it’s just me.

Island Tang Restaurant
Shop 222, The Galleria,
9 Queen’s Rd, Central
Tel: 2526 8798

Take the Cable Car and visit Ngong Ping 360

If you have some time to spare after shopping at Citygate outlets, take the 25 minutes cable car ride to Ngong Ping 360 — one of Hong Kong’s must-visit tourist attractions on Lantau island. There, you get to see the spectacular Giant Buddha, and visit the Po Lin Monastery. The Ngong Ping village has a couple of interesting eateries and it incorporates two major themed attractions: Walking with Buddha and Monkey’s Tale Theatre.

Getting there: Tung Chung Station, and go to the Ngong Ping cable car station (round trip tickets for standard cabin is 107HKD)

Temple Street Night Market

I didn’t get to visit Temple Street during my previous trip to Hong Kong, which was a shame since there’s so much to see at the famous night market. Temple Street is known as one of the busiest flea markets in Hong Kong, it’s interesting to walk around and see the different stalls that sell cheap & random merchandise, and there’s also food stalls along the way.

We were having beef brisket by the roadside during the evening, and it’s amazing to see how the street slowly came alive as the vendors started to set up their stalls. Anyway, if you are in the Temple Street area, there’s a pretty famous Claypot rice place at Arthur Street.

Getting there: Yau Ma Tei MTR in Kowloon.

Gong Zai Mian – Hong Kong Style Instant Noodle

“You must have the Gong Zai Mian!” my friend repeatedly emphasized this when I told her I was going Hong Kong for the second time this year. I refused to go to any Hong Kong Cafes in Singapore because of this dish. I thought it’s ridiculous to pay $6 for a bowl of instant noodle with sunny side up and luncheon meat.

Mr Gadget and I had breakfast at a random place near Temple Street, and we ordered Gong Zai Mian. I swear it’s so yummy! And the best part? They are so much cheaper than the Hong Kong Cafes in Singapore.

Shopping Paradise in Hong Kong

Mong Kok is definitely on the top of the list for Shopping in Hong Kong. There’s Fa Yuen Street which is famous for selling sports wear and equipments. If you are into photography, PLEASE get your camera stuff in Hong Kong! It’s probably around 15-20% cheaper than what it is in Singapore. Mr Gadget introduced me to Wing Shing Photo Supplies, which is supposedly one of the most reliable camera shops that locals go to. I was almost tempted to get a lens there which is SGD$200 cheaper. There’s also Langham Place shopping mall within walking distance from the Mong Kok MTR.

Anyway, moving on from Mong Kok, there’s Causeway Bay, one of Hong Kong’s major shopping districts. Otherwise, check out  the largest shopping mall in Hong Kong (not sure if it’s still the largest, but it’s definitely one of the biggest) Harbour City at Tsim Sha Tsui (TST). If you like big shopping malls, I’d suggest going to the new Elements Mall at West Kowloon – the place is huge and spacious, and like the other Hong Kong shopping malls, they have all the big brands under one roof.

But when I talk about shopping in Hong Kong, all I can think of is H&M!

This may sound crazy, but I actually went to four different H&M within a day. As the Men Clothing at H&M Langham Place has very limited stuff, I went to H&M at Canton road, TST (which was located directly opposite Harbour City), and H&M Queen’s Road Central. Both outlets are very crowded, and there are at least a dozen people eying the same thing at one time. Of the four H&M locations in Hong Kong that I went to, my favorite is definitely the H&M at Elements Mall. The place was practically empty and I could shop at ease without having to ‘fight’ with anyone to grab the clothes.

Wing Shing Photo Supplies
55-57 Sai Yeung Choi Street
Mongkok Kowloon, HK
Tel: 2396 6886

H&M Hong Kong
30 Canton road
Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
Tel: +852-3521 1171

68 Queen’s Road Central
Central, Hong Kong
Tel: +852-2110 9546

Elements
Kowloon Station
Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
Tel: +852-2196 8391

Langham Place
Mong Kok Station
Mong Kok, Kowloon
Tel: +852-3580 7621

Eat, eat, eat, eat, eat, eat, eat, eat, eat, eat, eat, eat, eat and eat

You are in Hong Kong! There’s only eating, and shopping, and eating, and more shopping on the agenda. I had my favorite Mango ice from Hui Lao Shan, feasted on Beef Brisket by the roadside, ate countless Egg Tarts and Po Luo Bao in random bakeries, enjoyed a leisure afternoon tea after a whole day of shopping, tasted some of the famous Hong Kong street food like Curry Fish Balls and Siew Mai while having Gong Cha bubble tea.

Travelling is just another excuse for me to eat more.

Stay in Novotel Hotel Hong Kong

I stayed in the Novotel Citygate at Tung Chung during this trip. If you are in Hong Kong mainly for shopping at the Citigate factory outlets, it makes sense to stay at Novotel Citygate since they are just located within the shopping mall. Otherwise, the Novotel Group has another two hotels – Novotel Nathan road in Kowloon, and Novotel Century at Wanchai. All three Novotel hotels are conveniently located within walking distance to the MTR stations.

Novotel is extending an offer to readers of my food blog: Simply quote ‘Novotel blgr’ when you make a direct booking with any of Novotel hotels in Hong Kong, and get a free upgrade to the next room category. Valid until end of August 2011. (Novotel Century Hong Kong: booking@novotelcenturyhk.com; Novotel Nathan Road Kowloon: h6771-re1@accor.com; Novotel Citygate Hong Kong: H6239-RE1@accor.com).

// Many thanks to the team at Novotel Hotel Hong Kong and PRDA who hosted us for this trip. No payment was received, only the air-ticket and accommodation were sponsored.