Social Place (Forum)

Social Place is a Hong Kong dim sum and Cantonese restaurant at Forum The Shopping Mall, 583 Orchard Road. The brand started in Hong Kong in 2014. This Forum branch opened in late 2019 as its first outlet in Southeast Asia.

The kitchen serves contemporary Chinese food with a playful side. Classic dim sum sits next to dishes that give old favourites a new twist. Many items are shaped or coloured to look fun on the plate.

What to order

Dim sum is the main draw, and it is served at both lunch and dinner. The item most people photograph is the charcoal bun, a black steamed bun filled with runny salted egg yolk custard. The dim sum list also covers classics such as crystal shrimp dumplings, barbecue pork buns and rice rolls. For dessert, look for the pig-shaped pudding and a jelly made to look like mahjong tiles.

For bigger plates, look for the wagyu char siu. It takes the idea of Cantonese barbecued pork but uses beef in a soy-based marinade. Other signatures include sweet and sour pork served on ice, and a seafood crackling rice soup made with a stock of crab and prawn shells. The menu also has a section of dishes cooked with crispy fried garlic, plus double-boiled soups, greens, rice and noodles.

Dishes change over time, so check the current menu on the official website before you go. Set menus are also offered.

The setting

The look is retro-chic, inspired by 1960s Hong Kong with modern touches. When it opened, reviewers noted a glossy feature wall made of mahjong tiles, mosaic floors and an open kitchen. It is a casual room. It works well for a dim sum lunch with friends or a family meal after shopping.

Good to know before you go

• Booking: reserve online through SevenRooms, linked from the official website, or call or email the restaurant.
• Dim sum timing: last orders for dim sum come earlier in the evening than for the rest of the menu. If dim sum is your main reason for going, arrive early.
• Groups: for larger groups or company meals, the restaurant has a sales team you can email through the website.
• Delivery: food can also be ordered for delivery through the restaurant's online ordering page.
• Drinks: Hong Kong-style milk tea, coffee and lemon tea are on the list, along with bottled beers.

Nearby

Forum is on Orchard Road, so a meal here fits easily into a day of shopping. Other restaurants in the area include Shisen Hanten by Chen Kentaro, Simply Peranakan Cuisine and Iru Den. If you need a place to stay in the area, look at Pan Pacific Orchard or Grand Hyatt Singapore. For more ideas, read our guide to cheap eats on Orchard Road, or browse more Chinese and dim sum restaurants and all restaurants in Orchard and River Valley. Menus and booking links are on the Social Place website.