Cantonese Restaurants in Singapore

A guide to Cantonese restaurants in Singapore

Cantonese food comes from southern China, around Guangzhou and Hong Kong. For many visitors, it is the Chinese cooking they already know. The Cantonese restaurants in Singapore on this page range from formal dining rooms to busy, simple shops. Cooks focus on fresh ingredients, careful heat and clean flavours. Sauces support the main ingredient rather than hide it.

What to order

Dim sum

Dim sum is a meal of small dishes, served in bamboo steamers or on small plates. Classic picks are har gow (prawn dumplings), siu mai (pork and prawn dumplings) and char siu bao (soft buns filled with barbecued pork). Cheong fun are silky rice noodle rolls with a sweet soy sauce. Many restaurants serve dim sum mainly at lunch. See the Dim Sum page for more places.

Roast meats

Cantonese roast meats are a highlight. Char siu is sweet, glazed barbecued pork. Siu yuk is roast pork belly with crackling skin. Roast duck is often served with plum sauce. Order a mixed platter to share.

Soups, seafood and wok dishes

Double-boiled soups cook slowly in a sealed pot for a clear, rich broth. Steamed fish with ginger, spring onion and soy sauce shows the Cantonese love of freshness. Good wok-fried dishes have "wok hei", a smoky taste from a very hot wok.

Simple everyday dishes

Cantonese food is also part of daily life at hawker stalls and coffee shops. Try wonton noodles, rice porridge (congee) or claypot rice, where rice cooks in a clay pot with meat and sauce. Lau Wang Claypot in Balestier and Toa Payoh serves claypot rice. Our guide How to Eat Claypot Rice explains the crispy base. Find more on the Wanton Mee and Porridge pages.

Where to find Cantonese food

Marina Bay and the CBD

Summer Pavilion, Jade, Hai Tien Lo and Cherry Garden are all Cantonese restaurants in the Marina Bay and CBD area. They suit business lunches and special dinners.

Orchard and River Valley

Li Bai, Hua Ting and Crystal Jade Golden Palace are in the Orchard and River Valley area. Min Jiang serves both Cantonese and Sichuan dishes. They make an easy lunch stop during a day on Orchard Road.

Tanglin and Bugis

In the Tanglin area, try Shang Palace, Summer Palace or Jiang-Nan Chun. Wah Lok Cantonese and Man Fu Yuan are both in the Bugis and Kampong Glam area.

Tips and etiquette

• Share everything. Dishes go in the middle of the table. Order about one dish per person, plus rice or noodles.
• Tea comes first. Staff will ask which tea you want, such as jasmine or pu-erh. A small tea charge per person is normal.
• Say thanks with your fingers. When someone pours your tea, many diners tap two fingers on the table to say thank you.
• Ask for a refill. Leave the teapot lid open or tilted, and staff will top it up.
• Book for busy times. Weekend dim sum and Chinese New Year are very busy. Many restaurants offer set menus during the festival.
• Check the bill. Prices marked "++" mean a service charge and GST (goods and services tax) will be added. Tipping is not expected.

FAQs about Cantonese restaurants in Singapore

How is Cantonese food different from other Chinese food?

Cantonese food is milder than Sichuan food and uses little chilli. It focuses on fresh ingredients, steaming, roasting and quick stir-frying. Compare it with the Teochew and Sichuan pages.

When is the best time to eat dim sum?

Lunch is the classic time, and weekends are busiest. Some places also serve dim sum at dinner, so check each listing.

Is there a dress code?

Smart casual is safe for the formal dining rooms. Simple shops and hawker stalls have no dress code.

Is Cantonese food spicy?

Most Cantonese dishes are not spicy. Chilli sauce is usually served on the side, so you can add as much as you like.