Best Dim Sum in Singapore

A guide to dim sum in Singapore

Dim sum in Singapore ranges from simple, casual spots to smart hotel restaurants. The idea is the same everywhere. You order several small dishes, share them and drink tea. In Cantonese this meal is called yum cha, which means drink tea. This guide covers what to order, how the meal works and how to choose a place.

Dim sum dishes to order

Most menus are long, so start with the classics. You will find these almost everywhere.

Steamed dishes

• Har gow: prawn dumplings in a thin, clear wrapper.
• Siew mai: open-topped dumplings of pork and prawn.
• Char siew bao: soft, fluffy buns filled with sweet barbecued pork.
• Chee cheong fun: silky rice noodle rolls with prawn or pork, in a light soy sauce.
• Lo mai gai: sticky rice with chicken, wrapped and steamed in a lotus leaf.

Fried and baked dishes

• Spring rolls: crisp rolls with a savoury filling.
• Radish cake: pan-fried slices made from white radish and rice flour.
• Egg tarts: small pastries filled with sweet, smooth custard.
• Liu sha bao: steamed buns with a runny salted egg yolk custard. Bite gently, as the filling is hot.

Order two or three dishes per person to start. You can always add more later.

How a dim sum meal works

Most places in Singapore give you an order sheet and a pencil. Tick the dishes and the number of portions, then hand it to the staff. A few places still bring dishes round on trolleys. Each dish usually comes in a small bamboo basket or plate of three or four pieces.

Tea and table manners

• Choose a tea. Common choices include jasmine, oolong, pu-erh and chrysanthemum.
• Pour for others first. Fill the cups of the people beside you before your own.
• Say thanks with your fingers. When someone pours for you, many people tap two fingers on the table.
• Ask for more hot water. Leave the teapot lid open or tilted. Staff will see it and refill the pot.

Restaurants often charge for tea per person. Some also charge for peanuts or pickles placed on the table. Most restaurants add a service charge and GST to the bill.

How to choose a dim sum restaurant

Casual dim sum spots

Casual places cost less and feel relaxed. You can usually walk in, though there may be a queue. Swee Choon Tim Sum is a Cantonese dim sum spot in the Little India & Jalan Besar area. Its name uses tim sum, another spelling of dim sum.

Cantonese and hotel restaurants

Many Cantonese restaurants serve dim sum, often at lunch only. They cost more, but the setting is quieter and you can usually book. Our Cantonese list includes Lei Garden and Wah Lok Cantonese in Bugis & Kampong Glam. It also includes Summer Pavilion in Marina Bay & CBD. Check each menu for dim sum before you go, and see the full Cantonese page for more.

Soup dumplings, called xiao long bao, are a Shanghai-style dish rather than Cantonese dim sum. You can find them at Taiwanese restaurants such as Din Tai Fung (Paragon).

Prices and tips for dim sum in Singapore

• Rough cost: at casual spots, most dishes cost a few dollars each. Hotel restaurants charge much more per dish. Prices change, so check the menu.
• Book at weekends: weekend lunch is a popular time for family dim sum. Reserve ahead where you can.
• Go in a group: with three or more people, you can share more dishes.
• Diet notes: many dishes contain pork or shellfish. Ask staff to point out vegetable or chicken options.

FAQs about dim sum

What time of day is dim sum eaten?

Dim sum is mostly a breakfast and lunch meal. Many restaurants serve it only at lunch. A few casual places also serve it late into the night.

How many dim sum dishes should I order?

Start with two or three dishes per person. Each basket has a few pieces, so sharing works well. Order more once you see the portion sizes.

What does dim sum mean?

The Cantonese words are often translated as touch the heart. The name refers to small bites eaten with tea, rather than one big main course.

Do I need to book a table for dim sum?

It helps at weekends, when families go out together. Casual spots often do not take bookings, so go early or expect a short wait.