Singaporean food blogger Miss Tam Chiak lists her top dim sum spots, ranging from the traditional Red Star Restaurant to the halal-friendly hotspot, The Dim Sum Place
Glamorous Singapore is renowned for its stunning skyscrapers and its equally impressive culinary scene.
Maureen Ow, the mastermind behind Miss Tam Chiak, one of Singapore’s original and beloved food blogs, attributes her hometown’s culinary excellence to its diverse culture. “We have different cultures, different races,” says Ow, whose blogging alias means “Miss Glutton” in local Hokkien dialect. “Every different race has different types of food, which you will get to try only in this country and maybe some parts of Asia. We have lots of Michelin-starred restaurants that you can’t find elsewhere. And of course, all the local street foods. They are wonderful.”
Singapore, a tiny city-state, has been historically inhabited by Indian, Malay, and Chinese communities. The Chinese population, constituting 75% of its demographic, has significantly influenced its local cuisine, evident in the abundance of hawker stalls and regional Chinese eateries. Dim sum, an import from Hong Kong, consisting of small, shareable plates of delicate dumplings, juicy stuffed buns, and snackable bites, is a must-try in Singapore and one of Ow’s favorite casual meals.
“[Dim sum] is a way for us to relax and enjoy a good meal with family or friends,” said Ow. “Dim sum is like having brunch in a café.” When asked about the three-piece servings, Ow explained that it’s to avoid any associations with bad luck: “The number three symbolizes new beginnings and new life.” Has anything unlucky ever happened to her while eating dim sum? “No,” she said. “Only happiness!”
Here are Maureen Ow’s top picks for enjoying a “gluttonous” dim sum meal in Singapore.
Top choice for value and quality: Victor’s Kitchen
“Victor’s Kitchen is among my preferred dim sum spots,” stated Ow. “One of the reasons is that it’s operated by a native of Hong Kong. He personally crafts the dim sum in the kitchen, offering an authentic old-school Hong Kong tea house ambiance that’s rare to find elsewhere.”
Victor’s Kitchen is a cozy establishment located in Sunshine Plaza, a bustling 12-story commercial complex in Singapore. “It’s quite cramped inside,” noted Ow. “You might end up sharing tables due to the limited space.”
The menu at Victor’s Kitchen features a variety of Hong Kong classics, such as xiao long bao (soup dumplings) and egg tarts, but Ow particularly recommends the steamed carrot cake with XO sauce and the milk tea. “In most places, they pour the milk tea over ice in a cup,” explained Ow. “But at Victor’s Kitchen, they serve the milk tea and a bowl of ice separately. You place your cup in the bowl to prevent the tea from getting diluted.”
Top choice for an authentic Hong Kong pushcart dim sum experience: The Red Star Restaurant
In Singapore, dim sum is often served in hotels and Chinese eateries as part of a larger menu. So, when Ow wants a classic, vintage dim sum experience, she heads to the Red Star Restaurant near Pearl’s Hill City Park. “Because when you enter this place, time stands still,” said Ow. “You’ve got to take a lift up to the seventh floor to visit the restaurant. And when I go in there, it feels like I’m back in the 1970s. It’s a very nostalgic Chinese restaurant, all red, old lanterns. And what’s so special about their dim sum is… they put their dim sum on pushcarts.”
Ow explained that pushcart dim sum is a disappearing tradition in Singapore. “We don’t see that very often anymore. But yeah, they are very famous for the dim sum pushcart so [the waiters are] all wearing green uniforms, and they will go around the table to table asking if you want anything from the pushcart.”
When Ow visits the Red Star Restaurant, she chooses the fried banana prawn roll and the char siew bao (barbecued pork bun). “So basically, they make their own bao,” she said. “[That’s the] steamed bun, and then you get this sweet and savoury roasted pork. It’s red in colour. And they usually shred it. So, when you eat it, it’s very juicy. You get the sweetness, and you get the savouriness from the pork itself.” She added: “I hope that makes you hungry.”
Top choice for unique and inventive dishes: Social Place
In Singapore’s bustling Orchard Road, known for its myriad shops and dining spots, you’ll find Social Place, a Hong Kong-based dim sum chain offering a modern twist on traditional dishes. This cozy eatery features a Contemporary Chinese cuisine menu, including dim sum with a creative flair.
“They have this steamed rose bun, which is filled with red bean paste and has a lovely design. Another favorite of mine is their deep-fried lobster glutinous puff,” said Ow. If you’re looking for innovative and stylish dim sum, Social Place is the place to be, though it may be a bit pricey.
Social Place’s steamed rose floret bun is a delightful creation, resembling an intricate pink swirl and filled with sweet red bean paste. This is just one example of the restaurant’s visually striking dim sum, which includes other unique offerings like the Yam-Filled Pig bun and Truffle Shiitake bun. According to Ow, “This Mahjong Jelly which they do is very fun. It’s a bit quirky, but it’s very enjoyable.”
Top choice for a sophisticated evening: Mott 32
Dim sum is usually a casual meal among friends, but for a more refined experience, Ow suggests Mott 32 at Marina Bay Sands, a luxury resort overlooking Marina Bay. Despite its opulence, Ow notes that “It’s still okay. It’s not that expensive.” Mott 32 offers a variety of regional Chinese dishes, with their creative and visually appealing dim sum being particularly popular.
“I would describe it as resembling fine dining establishments, where they elevate dim sum with a beautiful makeover, presenting it in a visually appealing way,” said Ow. “One of their signature dishes is the black truffle shumai, which includes a quail egg nestled within.” She also suggests trying the lobster har gow, a luxurious twist on the traditional savory dumpling typically filled with shrimp.
Top choice for halal dim sum: The Dim Sum Place
Islam is the third-largest religion in Singapore, so halal dining options are plentiful. Look for the certificate from the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS). For halal dim sum, head to Dim Sum Place, a classic and reputable spot recommended by Ow.
Traditional dim sum dishes often feature pork, but at Dim Sum Place, the flavors are so delicious that diners won’t miss it. Ow particularly enjoys their signature cheese tarts and the large bun filled with roasted duck.
