Dim sum is a popular style of Cantonese cuisine that involves bite-sized portions of food served in bamboo baskets or small plates. Singapore is known for its vibrant food scene, and dim sum is no exception. There are countless dim sum restaurants and shops throughout the city, but we’ve narrowed down our top five based on their quality, affordability, and location.
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Swee Choon Tim Sum Restaurant
Located in the heart of Jalan Besar, Swee Choon Tim Sum Restaurant is one of the most popular dim sum shops in Singapore. One of the reasons for Swee Choon’s popularity is its affordable prices. The restaurant offers a wide range of dim sum dishes and is open till late, making it a great spot for a late-night supper.
Despite the long queues, service at Swee Choon is efficient, with the staff working hard to ensure that customers are served quickly. Although they have a few express outlets (AMK Hub, Century Square, NEX – Food Republic) available but our favourite location is still their main branch which has a bustling and lively atmosphere.
Address: 183-191 Jalan Besar, Singapore 208882
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Tim Ho Wan
Originally from Hong Kong, Tim Ho Wan has made a name for itself as one of the best dim sum chains in the world. One of the standout dishes at Tim Ho Wan is their famous Baked BBQ Pork Bun. These buns are filled with a sweet and savoury barbequed pork filling and have a crispy, buttery top that gives them a unique texture and flavour. The restaurant also offers set menus that allow customers to sample a variety of dishes for a well rounded meal.
Outlets: https://www.timhowan.com/our-stores/
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Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao
While Crystal Jade is primarily known for their xiao long bao (soup dumplings), their dim sum menu is not to be overlooked. Located in several locations throughout Singapore, their dishes range from traditional har gow to more unique options like fried rice rolls with XO sauce. The prices at Crystal Jade are slightly pricier ith most dishes priced between S$8 to S$15. However, the quality of the food and the variety of dishes on offer more than make up for the higher price point.
Outlets: https://www.crystaljade.com/restaurant-locator/
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Dim Sum Haus
Dim Sum Haus is a popular dim sum restaurant in Singapore that offers a variety of classic and contemporary dim sum dishes. Located in Jalan Besar, the restaurant has become our go-to spot for their Salted Egg Yolk Custard Bun. These steamed buns are filled with a sweet and savoury salted egg yolk custard that oozes out with each bite. Other popular dishes at Dim Sum Haus include the Har Gow (shrimp dumplings), Siew Mai (pork dumplings), and the Char Siew Sou (baked pork pastry).
Location: 791 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198759
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The Dim Sum Place
This Halal-certified restaurant offers authentic Cantonese-style dim sum that is perfect to bring your muslim friends to try some delicious chinese food. The Dim Sum Place offers a wide range of dishes that include classics like Har Gow, Siew Mai, and Char Siew Bao, as well as unique options like Mala Chicken Dumplings and Salted Egg Lava Croissants.
Outlets: https://www.thedimsumplace.sg/
Singapore has no shortage of excellent dim sum restaurants. From traditional Cantonese dishes to creative and modern twists on classic dim sum favourites, there’s something for every palate.
