Who doesn’t love dim sum? Here’s a list of 11 of our favourite dim sum restaurants to try in Hong Kong the next time you have that yearning for hot, creamy Custard Buns and Har Gao. In fact, if you’ll excuse us…
Of all the dim sum restaurants in Hong Kong, YUM CHA offers dim sum with a modern twist; it’s quickly earning a reputation as one of the hottest places in town to get your fix. Conveniently close to the MTR and across from ‘The ONE’ in TST, YUM CHA is a great option if you’re looking for something quick, easy and delicious on the Kowloon side. Don’t forget to try out YUM CHA’s adorable Piggy BBQ Buns (almost too cute to eat), and their Sticky Rice and Shrimp Veggie Dumplings! Even better? YUM CHA’s Hot Custard Buns.
Their Custard Buns are one of our favourite dim sum dishes and for good reason: they’re fluffy on the outside but rich and gooey in the inside; just the right consistency. Chef Winson Yip is the mastermind behind a slew of delightful dishes at YUM CHA including Apple-Rosette Egg Tarts, Doggy Sausage Rolls and those adorable bird-shaped shrimp puffs that resemble animated characters. Of course, don’t miss YUM CHA’s more eclectic eats like Marinated Chicken in Spicy Sauce, and their Scallion Ginger Pork Knuckles. YUM CHA indeed.
Dishes We Love: Piggy BBQ Buns, Sticky Rice & Shrimp Veggie Dumplings, Hot Custard Buns
Find it at Nan Fung Tower, 2/F, 173 Des Voeux Rd., Central
Book a table at YUM CHA (Central) and earn 2X Chope-Dollars with code TASTYBLOG
Lei Garden’s legacy in traditional Cantonese-style cuisine is something to behold given the unique Chinese tasting menus inspired from different parts of the world. One of the top dim sum restaurants in Hong Kong, Lei Garden boasts impeccable service and mouth-watering dim sum at surprisingly affordable prices.
Must-eats include their Steamed Pork & Mushroom Dumplings (a uniquely flavourful blend of steamed pork and Chinese mushrooms), Barbecued Delicacies Combo (a delicious potpourri of tantalising barbecued pork and roast goose) and Salt and Pepper Mantis Prawn (deep-fried fresh seafood goodness from Hong Kong). All in all, Lei is the perfect place for some Chinese wholesome deliciousness.
Dishes We Love: Steamed Pork & Mushroom Dumplings, Barbecued Delicacies Combo, Salt & Pepper Mantis Prawn
Find it at International Finance Center, 1 Harbour View St., Central
Book a table at Lei Garden (IFC) and earn 2X Chope-Dollars with code TASTYBLOG
Fancy some Michelin-starred dim sum in Mong Kok? Don’t forget to try out the two Michelin-starred Ming Court – their sophisticated menu is influenced by cuisine in China, Europe, Australia and Japan – and is truly the place to be for the best dim sum in Hong Kong!
We dig Ming Court’s stylish, quietly subdued ambiance nestled in the five-star Langham Place Hotel. Authentically Chinese, but with a contemporary twist, Ming Court’s modern decor echoes a traditional Chinese restaurant – minus the translucent lighting, noisy kitchen and surly wait staff. Led by Chef Mango Tsang Chiu Lit, Ming Court offers bold and rich flavours alongside exceptional ingredients.
Be sure to try the divine six-course degustation menu, as well as Ming Court’s signature dim sum menu. From the Shanghainese Pork Dumplings to their Eel Spring Roll with Minced Shrimp, Ming Court is the place to try outstanding gourmet Chinese dim sum in an authentic setting in Kowloon.
Dishes We Love: Shanghainese Pork Dumplings, Steamed Drunken Shrimp Dumpling Cooked in Chinese Wine, Eel Spring Roll with Minced Shrimp
Find it at Cordis Hotel, Level 06, 555 Shanghai St., Mong Kok
Book a table at Ming Court and earn 2X Chope-Dollars with code TASTYBLOG
If you’re looking for dim sum with a view, then head over to Dynasty – the award-winning Chinese restaurant is located on the 3rd floor of Renaissance Harbour View Hotel. It’s a great setting to dine at a venerable Hong Kong institution renowned for great dim sum and char siu. If you haven’t had the pleasure, char siu is the finger-licking goodness of roasted succulent pork enveloped in honey BBQ and charred to a state of sticky perfection.
Don’t forget to try out their Trio Dim Sum Platter, which includes Shu Mai (pork and mushroom dumpling), Fan Guo (steamed dumplings with veggies and peanuts) and Har Gao (shrimp dumplings). Another must-try is Dynasty’s Fresh Crab Claw Steamed with Parsley and Preserved Egg. Even though it might sound a bit odd, the egg whites in the dish give it an airy, light texture that offsets the rich flavours of the fresh crab.
Dishes We Love: Trio Dim Sum Platter, Barbecue Pork, Deep-fried Fresh Prawns with Oats, Buddha Jump Over The Wall
Find it at Renaissance Harbour View Hotel, Level 03, 1 Harbour Rd., Wan Chai
Book a table at Dynasty and earn 2X Chope-Dollars with code TASTYBLOG
Nanhai No. 1 is more atypical of the dim sum restaurants on this list in that they serve Guangdong-inspired dishes. Nanhai, named after the Chinese naval navigator Zheng, mixes stellar harbour views with impeccable service from servers dressed in nautical-themed wear. The restaurant’s dim sum menu reflects the nautical-themed ambiance of the restaurant, setting it apart in our minds.
The extensive menu is primarily Cantonese dim sum dishes; be sure to try out Nanhai’s two signature dishes – Crispy Pork Belly and Crispy Shredded Yam. The former is cooked just to perfection, leaving you with a crispy, yet satisfying crunch, whilst the latter is definitely a surprise hit – thinly shredded, crunchy, and a sweet/salty contrast in each bite. The gooey drizzle of honey on top the crispy shredded yam only accentuates this piquant mix. Two dim sum desserts worth sharing include their adorable Sesame Seed Balls – all airy, puffy but wonderfully chewy – as well as the Chilled Blueberry Pudding – succulent blueberry goodness, but light and guilt-free, at the same time!
Here’s a helpful Chope tip: when booking, be sure to put in a request for a window table as some of the booths at Nanhai are somewhat dark and have restricted views.
Dishes We Love: Crispy Pork Belly, Crispy Shredded Yam, King Prawn with Bang Sauce and Fried Man Tou
Find it at iSQUARE, Level 30, 63 Nathan Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui
Book a table at Nanhai No. 1 and earn 2X Chope-Dollars with code TASTYBLOG
We’ve had our fair share of Shanghainese-inspired cuisine here in Hong Kong, and two-Michelin-starred Ye Shanghai is certainly not to be missed.
Our favourite dishes include their piping hot soup dumplings (Xiao Long Bao), Glutinous Rice Balls (Chi Fan Tuan), fried plain buns dipped in condensed milk (Mantou) and their Hua Diao Wine Marinated Drunken Chicken. One of the unique things about Shanghainese cuisine is their preference for cold appetisers, and while Ye Shanghai’s wide selection is certainly extensive, it’s not too overwhelming. The final show stopper at Ye Shanghai is the rich Black Sesame Créme Brûlée with Roasted Peanut Butter Ice Cream. We seriously cannot get enough of this dish – the velvety texture of the créme brûlée, combined with the graininess of the the bold, black sesame, makes this honestly one of our favourite dishes on Ye Shanghai’s dim sum dessert menu that’s worth breaking any diet for!
Dishes We Love: Xiao Long Bao, Chi Fan Tuan, Sea Cucumber with Mild Chili Sauce
Find it at Pacific Place, Level 03, 88 Queensway Rd., Admiralty
Book a table at Ye Shanghai (Pacific Place) and earn 2X Chope-Dollars with code TASTYBLOG
Dim Sum Bar is by no means your average, run-of-the mill dim sum restaurant. Its modern interior, sans chandeliers, makes it a welcome respite from the ornately-decorated interiors of many dim sum restaurants across Hong Kong. Despite the modest digs, be prepared to be dazzled by many of the dim sum options on the menu.
Dishes at Dim Sum Bar are presented elegantly, giving off a clean, pared back feel while maintaining a casual, down-to-earth vibe. Even though Dim Sum Bar’s old favourites, including Char Siu Cheong Fun and Pork and Shrimp Siu Mai, are great traditional bites, be sure to try out the King’s Dumplings in Lobster Bisque and Traditional Cantonese Fried Rice with Shrimps. Their signature cream buns, including the Baked Almond Cream Buns and Baked Chocolate Cream Buns, are great denouements in a dim sum feast. If you’re a bit bored of the standard fare at other restaurants, and truly want something unique, be sure to try out Dim Sum Bar.
Dishes We Love: Baked Abalone and Chicken Pastry, Black Truffle Shrimp Shumai, King’s Dumplings in Lobster Bisque
Find it at Harbour City, G103, 3 Canton Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui
Book a table at Dim Sum Bar (Tsim Sha Tsui) and earn 2X Chope-Dollars with code TASTYBLOG
Hoi King Heen is certainly one of Hong Kong’s hidden digs. Despite its cosy location, nestled in the basement of the Intercontinental Grand Stanford, Hoi King Heen is recognised as one of Hong Kong’s finest Chinese restaurants, specialising in Cantonese cuisine. What’s even better? They’re Michelin starred!
We dig their tastefully designed interior, it’s a welcome respite from the blinged out, chandelier-laden ostentation that seem to pervade the interiors of almost all of Hong Kong’s Chinese restaurants.
Two menus worth a perusal are the Awards Degustation Menu and the Promotion Menu. We dig the Michelin-starred items in the former, including Steamed Fresh Crab Claw with Egg White in Far Dew Chinese Wine and Sautéed Diced Beef Tenderloin with Lingzhi Mushrooms and Osmanthus. That said, Hoi King Heen’s ever-changing promotion menu is something to behold; right now they’re featuring the Chinese Festive Cuisine menu that showcases crowd favourites including Baked Bird’s Nest with Eggs, Scallops and Crab Roe, as well as Stewed Tibetan Brisket of Lamb with Bamboo Shoots and Mushrooms. Who could ask for more?
Dishes We Love: Steamed Garoupa Roll with Yunnan Ham, Pan Fried Glutinous Rice with Chicken, Braised Winter Melon Balls Stuffed with Black Olives Mustard
Find it at Intercontinental Grand Stanford, Basement Level, 70 Mody Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui
Click here for more info on Hoi King Heen
Every Honker knows about Tim Ho Wan. These self-proclaimed ‘dim sum specialists’ are one of the most affordable Michelin-starred restaurants in the world! What’s more, they’ve recently launched a global domination plan erecting outlets far and wide, from Singapore to most recently, New York. In our book, Tim Ho Wan offers the best inexpensive dim sum in Hong Kong.
Sure, the seating and decor ain’t luxurious (unless you fancy sitting elbow-to-elbow with diners and dining out of melamine resin dishes) but, hey, the dim sum at Tim Ho Wan more than makes up for the lack of ambiance! Our favourite dishes include their juicy, and succulent steamed beancurd roll (Fuu Pei Guen) and their tender minced pork and shrimp dumplings (Siu Mai). Also, be sure to indulge in Tim Ho Wan’s lotus leaf-infused glutinous rice dumpling (Lor Mei Gai). You’ll definitely get your money’s worth here, as this dish is full of the rich flavours of juicy, tangy, succulent chicken and earthy degustations of freshly-picked shiitake mushrooms. The best part of finishing up Tim Ho Wan’s Lor Mei Gai? You’ll get the burst of sweet n’ salty goodness from finishing up the egg yolk in the middle!
Dishes We Love: Prawn Dumpling, Baked Bun with BBQ Pork, Beef Ball with Beancurd Skin, Spring Roll with Egg White
Find it at Hong Kong Station, Basement Level, 8 Finance St., Central
Click here for more info on Tim Ho Wan
Amid divine dim sum, seafood steamed to perfection, and cosy Hong Kong-style seating booths is Crystal Jade Jiang Nan – think Din Tai Fung meets Lei Garden. Celebrating its fifteenth anniversary, we can’t get enough of Crystal Jade’s juicy and succulent Steamed Black Guinea Pork Xiao Long Bao and Handmade Dan Dan Noodles in Soup.
Dishes We Love: Steamed Black Guinea Pork Xiao Long Bao, Handmade Dan Dan Noodles in Soup, Double-boiled Duck Soup with Handmade Fish Balls, Braised Mandarin Fish with Rice Wine Sauce
Find it at Tai Yau Plaza, Third Level, 181 Johnston Rd., Wan Chai
Book a table at Crystal Jade Jiang Nan and earn 2X Chope-Dollars with code TASTYBLOG
We know we’re Michelin snobs, but T’ang Court is a worthy must-try on our list of best dim sum restaurants in Hong Kong. Winner of multiple culinary accolades, T’ang Court reflects the classic timelessness of the Tang Dynasty, China’s golden age. Luxuriate amidst velvet upholstery, embossed cushions and lavish furnishings whilst dining on authentic Cantonese culinary masterpieces popular during China’s gilded age.
Don’t miss out on their seasonally rotating menus, comprised of T’ang Court’s take on what’s ‘popping’ in the culinary ingredients universe. Eye-catchers in T’ang’s latest dim sum menu include Pan-Fried Rice Flour Rolls with Homemade Spicy Sauce, Golden-Fried Beef Dumplings with Spring Onion and Ginger and Steamed Shrimp and Scallop with Truffle Paste Dumplings.
Dishes We Love: Pan-Fried Rice Flour Rolls with Homemade Spicy Sauce, Steamed Shrimp and Scallop with Truffle Paste Dumplings, Golden-Fried Beef Dumplings with Spring Onion and Ginger
Find it at The Langham, 8 Peking Rd. Tsim Sha Tsui
Click here for more info on T’ang Court