Dim Sum in Singapore

 

Singapore's culinary realm holds a tradition adored by locals and visitors alike – dim sum. Rooted in the vibrant traditions of Cantonese cuisine, these delicate dumplings and bite-sized dishes are integral to Singapore’s multicultural identity. The practice originated in China’s southern province of Guangdong and was brought to Singapore by Chinese immigrants.

The term dim sum translates from Cantonese as “touch the heart.” Its name reflects the idea that these small dishes are meant to delight the diner’s soul, leaving one feeling warm and satisfied.

Versatile dim sum dishes are commonly enjoyed for breakfast, but are considered an all-day delight. Locals enjoy them for tea time, or sometimes as a complementary side dish during lunch or dinner.

Dim sum in bamboo skewer baskets

Traditional Dim Sum Delights

 

From juicy dumplings to lightly fried fritters, the traditional bamboo steamers enclose a culinary treasure of delicately crafted bites that taste as good as they look. Discover quintessential dim sum delights offered, so you’ll know what to savour when you dine at the best dim sum restaurants in Singapore.

Steamed soup dumplings at the best dim sum restaurants in Singapore

Xiao Long Bao

These broth-filled steamed pork dumplings originate from the Jiangnan region. To enjoy, gently dip it into a saucer of vinegar and sliced ginger. Nibble a small corner from the base of the dumpling and slurp the hot, savoury broth that bursts out.

Har gow, steamed shrimp dumpling, a popular dim sum dish

Har Gow

Delicate and translucent, Har Gow are shrimp dumplings prized for their slightly chewy wrappers that enclose a generous filling of fresh shrimp with a hint of ginger. Each bite delivers delicate flavours and a satisfyingly tender texture.

Siu mai, a traditional and popular dim sum dish

Siu Mai

Siu Mai are open-faced pork dumplings filled with a harmonious blend of ground pork and shiitake mushrooms. Juicy and delicately fragrant, they are a classic Cantonese staple that no dim sum experience is complete without.

Char siu bao, steamed pork barbecue buns, a traditional dim sum dish

Char Siu Bao

Soft and cloud-like, Char Siu Bao are steamed buns filled with barbecue pork glazed in a sweet, savoury sauce. Break one apart while it’s still steaming to let the aroma drift up and enjoy it while hot.

Top Dim Sum Restaurants in Singapore

 

Explore some of the best restaurants in Singapore that offer guests a culinary wonderland featuring the finest dim sum places in town. From lavish Chinese restaurants to quaint casual dining places, the choices for a sumptuous dim sum brunch are endless at Marina Bay Sands.

Jin Ting Wan

Delight in the best dim sum in Singapore at Jin Ting Wan, where the natural flavours of each ingredient are the stars of the show. From the deep umami of pork to the subtle sweetness of shrimp, expert chefs craft intricate bite-sized dim sum for the discerning diner.

Plate of dim sum from Jin Ting Wan, a Chinese Fine Dining restaurant in Singapore

Highlights from the Menu

As you step inside, the air is filled with the mouthwatering scent of freshly steamed dim sum as bamboo baskets are brought to your table, offering a feast for the senses. The menu reimagines classic favourites elevated to the highest level, such as Steamed Siew Mai with Hokkaido Dried Scallop, featuring plump pork bits paired with sweet, briny scallop, encased in a silky wonton skin. Crispy Spring Roll with Alaskan Crab Meat hits all the right spots with its golden exterior and a naturally buttery crab filling that bursts with flavour in every bite.

Discover a curated dim sum menu crafted by Chef Albert Li and his team who have shaped this Cantonese restaurant into one of Singapore’s most distinguished dining destinations.

 

Mott 32 Singapore

Blending industrial edge with the nostalgic charm of Hong Kong’s golden era, Mott 32 is a trailblazer in modernising Chinese cuisine. Here, dim sum dishes fuse traditional craftsmanship with sophisticated flavours and Western culinary influences.

Dim sum on spoons and chopsticks

Highlights from the Menu

Steaming traditional bamboo baskets reveal one-of-a-kind creations, showcasing the best dim sum Singapore has to offer. Highlights include inventive dim sum masterpieces, such as Signature Crispy Sugar-Coated Peking Duck Bun that showcases Peking duck melded with silky rendered fat and a mélange of Chinese spices.

Another standout is the Yellow Garlic Chives, Shredded Peking Duck Spring Roll. Beneath its crisp, golden exterior lies an aromatic blend of garlic chives and shredded Peking duck. The fried roll breaks with a satisfying crunch, revealing a savoury mouthful of tender duck and the subtle perfume of chives.

 

BLOSSOM

Lounge in the immersive zen of BLOSSOM, where unparalleled culinary excellence thrives and Singapore’s best dim sum restaurant redefines the elevated dining experience. Marrying the traditional and modern styles of Cantonese and Sichuan cuisine, their menu boasts an irresistible symphony of signature dim sum specialities and thoughtfully complemented by vegetarian options.

Crispy egg tarts from BLOSSOM, a Chinese restaurant in Singapore

Highlights from the Menu

Feast your senses on the BLOSSOM Signature Dim Sum Trio, a stunning trio of an intricate Swan Pastry, Steamed Mushroom Bun and Prawn Lychee Ball. The Swan Pastry takes centre stage with its golden lacework of fried skin that satisfyingly crisps upon first bite. The Steamed Mushroom Bun bears a photorealistic marbling reminiscent of the Chinese shiitake mushroom, while the Prawn Lychee Ball steals the show with a brilliant crimson shell, lightly fried with a juicy prawn and lychee ball within.

Round off your casual dinner with the buttery Crispy Egg Tarts, a beloved dim sum staple. Their glossy custard centres are luxuriously smooth and fragrant, held within beautifully crisp, flaky pastry.

 

Canton Paradise

Canton Paradise offers gastronomic indulgence like no other, with all-day dim sum, signature roasted specialities and an array of classic delights like Hong Kong-style congee and wok-fried dishes. Nestled within The Shoppes, this dim sum restaurant is perfect for families, offering spacious seating and up-close, charming waterfront views at select seatings.

Baskets and plates of dim sum from Canton Paradise, a Chinese restaurant in Singapore

Highlights from the Menu

A much-loved classic, Steamed Prawn Dumpling ‘Ha Kao’ is a famous dim sum dish in Singapore with its diaphanous skin and succulent prawn filling. Each piece arrives glistening with a delicate sheen that enchases the plump, tender prawn within. Served piping hot in a bamboo steamer, this beloved dish offers a satisfying burst of flavour, making it an essential highlight of any dim sum spread.

As one of the best casual restaurants in Singapore, Canton Paradise is also a popular option for vegetarian diners. Vegetarian-friendly classics like the Pan-fried Radish Cake are done just right – lightly fried for a crisp exterior and smooth, fluffy interior. The Hong Kong Street-Style Steamed Rice Roll layers freshly steamed, silky rice rolls doused in sweet sauce and nutty peanut sauce.

 

Din Tai Fung

Charting the New York Times’ list of the world’s Top Ten Restaurants, Din Tai Fung is no doubt one of the best dim sum places in Singapore, drawing food lovers from Singapore and beyond to experience its world-renowned craftsmanship.

Basket of steamed pork dumplings, xiao long baos

Highlights from the Menu

Deft hands plait their signature Steamed Pork Xiao Long Bao with precision, expertly pleating each dumpling to encase a hearty broth and melt-in-the-mouth pork filling within. Each morsel is packed with a surge of deep, meaty richness infused with subtle notes of herbs and spices.

Another popular menu item is Steamed Vegetarian Dumplings, featuring pale green skin, filled generously with a hearty vegetable filling. The dumpling bursts with a natural sweetness and mild umami upon first bite, releasing a heavenly combination of fresh, vegetable crunch and savoury broth.

 

Tim Ho Wan PEAK

Taste a symphony of Hong Kong’s richest flavours, from the city’s most famous dim sum dishes to iconic wok-fried dishes infused with a robust, smoky aroma that captures the essence of traditional charred cooking.

BBQ pork buns from Tim Ho Wan, a dim sum restaurant in Singapore

Highlights from the Menu

This dim sum restaurant in Singapore boasts new menu additions like the new Barbecue Spanish Pork, roasted red with glistening charred edges – the hallmark of slow, attentive cooking that achieves exquisite caramelisation.

The Crispy Shrimp Red Rice Rolls with Roselle Sauce is a brilliant crimson ode to the classic rice rolls, featuring a complex umami note from the shrimp, and a cacophony of textures – silky rice sheets juxtaposed against the crisp, golden shrimp filling. Encased in a golden crisp shell, the Signature BBQ Pork Buns reveal a luscious filling of honey-glazed char siu that is a standout on their dim sum menu. For a sweet treat, the Mini Hong Kong Egg Tarts offer a sweet balance to the meal. The buttery cookie crust cradles a velvety egg custard, offering a mouthful of creamy goodness.

 

Updated as of 12 Nov 2025