Dim Sum is a traditional Cantonese dish - it's available in many places throughout Hong Kong but I feel like there are better options in Singapore. It's somewhat difficult to explain - Dim Sum is basically the Chinese version of Spanish tapas. Obviously the dishes are completely different but it's a similar concept in that you order a few small dishes to comprise a larger meal. Most of the dishes are served in a steamer basket.
There are several categories of Dim Sum. I tend to stay mostly within the dumplings category. Pork and shrimp dumplings tend to be the most common and some places will serve both a steamed and fried variety. Shaomai are a dumpling sub-category and the meat is served in what looks like a crinkly cupcake wrapper. For some reason I can't acquire the Shaomai taste.
Then there is the baozi or steamed bun category. The most popular dish is the BBQ steamed bun - the Cantonese version is slightly different that what you find elsewhere in Southeast Asia. There are other steamed buns that have a mini-meal inside. If you don't speak Cantonese these dishes can be a bit of a mystery that's not solved until you start eating...and then sometimes it's still a mystery.
The dining experience can vary quite widely too - the traditional format is a "tea-house" in which wait staff push carts through the tables - if one of the carts has a popular item everyone gathers around. Once you've picked up your item you receive a stamp on your dining card. There does not seem to be too many of these places in existance. Many Dim Sum restaurants in Hong Kong have a contemporary feel and fortunately an English menu - you simply select the dishes you want and a few minutes later they start coming out of the kitchen.
There are several categories of Dim Sum. I tend to stay mostly within the dumplings category. Pork and shrimp dumplings tend to be the most common and some places will serve both a steamed and fried variety. Shaomai are a dumpling sub-category and the meat is served in what looks like a crinkly cupcake wrapper. For some reason I can't acquire the Shaomai taste.
Then there is the baozi or steamed bun category. The most popular dish is the BBQ steamed bun - the Cantonese version is slightly different that what you find elsewhere in Southeast Asia. There are other steamed buns that have a mini-meal inside. If you don't speak Cantonese these dishes can be a bit of a mystery that's not solved until you start eating...and then sometimes it's still a mystery.
The dining experience can vary quite widely too - the traditional format is a "tea-house" in which wait staff push carts through the tables - if one of the carts has a popular item everyone gathers around. Once you've picked up your item you receive a stamp on your dining card. There does not seem to be too many of these places in existance. Many Dim Sum restaurants in Hong Kong have a contemporary feel and fortunately an English menu - you simply select the dishes you want and a few minutes later they start coming out of the kitchen.
SUN HING - 8 SMITHFIELD ROAD, KENNEDY TOWN
This is currently my favorite Dim Sum location - it's noisy and chaotic; it's good and cheap. It has all the standards and a must try specialty - custard steamed bun. There's a Dim Sum "station" near the entrance - look under the lids, pick a few dishes, stamp your card, and walk back to the table with a few Dim Sum baskets in hand - it doesn't get simpler and tastier than that. There is a fuller menu and supposedly the steam fish is another must try dish.
This is currently my favorite Dim Sum location - it's noisy and chaotic; it's good and cheap. It has all the standards and a must try specialty - custard steamed bun. There's a Dim Sum "station" near the entrance - look under the lids, pick a few dishes, stamp your card, and walk back to the table with a few Dim Sum baskets in hand - it doesn't get simpler and tastier than that. There is a fuller menu and supposedly the steam fish is another must try dish.
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TIM HO WAN- VARIOUS LOCATIONS
This may be Hong Kong's most popular dim sum restaurant. It's low prices (a "meal" costs ~$100HKD) and good quality (it has a Michelin star) attract a strong following. The knock on this place is the environment - it's not chaotic enough, it's too "easy" of a dining experience. The original location is north of Mongkok.
This may be Hong Kong's most popular dim sum restaurant. It's low prices (a "meal" costs ~$100HKD) and good quality (it has a Michelin star) attract a strong following. The knock on this place is the environment - it's not chaotic enough, it's too "easy" of a dining experience. The original location is north of Mongkok.
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LIN HEUNG TEAHOUSE -
160 WELLINGTON ROAD
The dim sum isn't spectacular, it can be expensive...that said, you should definitely go. It's one of the last old school dining environments where the waitstaff pushes around a dim sum cart.
160 WELLINGTON ROAD
The dim sum isn't spectacular, it can be expensive...that said, you should definitely go. It's one of the last old school dining environments where the waitstaff pushes around a dim sum cart.
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TAI WING WAH - YUEN LONG
This is a Yuen Long institution and the dining hall style restaurant has a large Guangdong cuisine menu...although they do offer the standard range of Dim Sum dishes as well. I ordered the basics - shrimp dumplings (which were loaded with 4-5 buttery shrimp) and BBQ steamed buns. The restaurant is in a lively area.
This is a Yuen Long institution and the dining hall style restaurant has a large Guangdong cuisine menu...although they do offer the standard range of Dim Sum dishes as well. I ordered the basics - shrimp dumplings (which were loaded with 4-5 buttery shrimp) and BBQ steamed buns. The restaurant is in a lively area.
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156 ABERDEEN MAIN ROAD - UNABLE TO DETERMINE NAME, EVEN AFTER OPEN RICE SEARCH
After seeing a line out the door on a weekend I had very high expectations when I returned to Aberdeen for a taste. It's good and I'll try again but it's not in the same league as Sun Hing. It's a tea house environment which makes it a good place to hang out and eat your way through the menu.
After seeing a line out the door on a weekend I had very high expectations when I returned to Aberdeen for a taste. It's good and I'll try again but it's not in the same league as Sun Hing. It's a tea house environment which makes it a good place to hang out and eat your way through the menu.
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CANTON'S DIM SUM EXPERT -
TSIM TSAU SHI
No frills Dim Sum, not much of an atmosphere, but relatively decent quality. I ordered three dishes and a Coke for a total price of 110HKD, which seems a little high.
TSIM TSAU SHI
No frills Dim Sum, not much of an atmosphere, but relatively decent quality. I ordered three dishes and a Coke for a total price of 110HKD, which seems a little high.
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