Dim sum
Cover There are countless options when it comes to dim sum (Photo: Febrian Zakaria/Unsplash)

These local chefs point us in the direction of their favourite siu mai, chee cheong fun, char siu bao, and more

Dim sum is one of the most essential parts of Chinese, specifically Cantonese, cuisine. In Malaysia, you can find dim sum just about anywhere from street carts and kopitiams to fancy hotel restaurants and grand banquet halls. Perfect for breakfast, lunch, or even as a little midday pick-me-up, dim sum dishes are small in size but mighty in taste. 

Whether it's char siu bao steamed in a little bamboo basket or pan-fried turnip cake, everyone has a favourite type of dim sum and a go-to restaurant to get their fill of these little morsels of joy. Turn to five local chefs to find out where the best dim sum in Malaysia is and what they order. 

Read more: The best chicken rice in Malaysia, according to chefs

Petaling Jaya
Tatler Asia
Dim sum
Above The array of dim sum at Restaurant Sing Pao Dim Sum (Photo: @robxlim/Instagram)

"I love Restaurant Sing Pao for its dim sum. Its char siu bao is the best. The baos are fluffy and the char siu is smoky and flavourful. I also order its fried radish cakes, which are crispy on the outside and super soft on the inside, pork ribs, fishballs, and mixed porridge. The porridge is a thick-based porridge with an umami-filled dry seafood base and is filled with a lot of century eggs."

—Lee Zhe Xi, Eat and Cook

"It's open until late and as a chef, that's perfect for me. Stick to its classics. At those late night hours, there are no children running around demanding their iPads and nobody bothering you on the street with a sales pitch. It’s the usual outdoor seating but I like to think of it as al fresco dining. It works for anyone with a graveyard shift and it's always interesting to people-watch as you eat your dim sum."

—Ahong Yeang, Grub by Ahong & Friends


Restaurant Sing Pao Dim Sum

Address: A-16, Jln Klang Lama, 58000 Kuala Lumpur


Bukit Mertajam
Tatler Asia
Dim sum
Above TeoChew BM Restaurant

"My pick is TeoChew BM Restaurant in Bukit Mertajam. My favourite dish from this restaurant is its Hong Kong-style chee cheong fun. It literally melts in your mouth and follows with the taste of baby shrimp and fried shallots that are crunchy and umami. Its soy sauce is perfect, not too sweet or salty. Everything here is well-balanced."

—Adrian Tan, Curios-city


TeoChew BM Restaurant

Address: Kawasan Perniagaan Sungai Rambai, 14000 Bukit Mertajam


Ampang
Tatler Asia
Dim sum
Above Dumplings at Restaurant Min Star in Ampang (Photo: @_michinoms_/Instagram)

"My favourite dim sum is at Restaurant Min Star. My order here is the char siu bao, lo mai gai (steamed glutinous rice with chicken), siu mai (pork and prawn dumplings), and chee cheong fun, just to name a few. It's a special place to me and they keep their products fresh. Also, prices are very affordable."

—Dino Lee, Jade Pavilion


Restaurant Min Star

Address: No. 50, Jalan Bunga Tanjung 9c, Taman Putra, 68000 Ampang


Ipoh
Tatler Asia
Dim sum
Above Restaurant Sun Kim Aik is located in Taman Falim in Ipoh (Photo: @jaydenleecb/Instagram)

"Restaurant Sun Kim Aik is located in the heart of Menglembu, Ipoh, and is one of the oldest dim sum restaurants in Ipoh. It's far from tourist recommendations in central Ipoh and you'll most likely find only locals there. I consider it a childhood favourite of mine in my lovely hometown. One of its best dim sum dishes is its har gao (Cantonese prawn dumplings), which is silky on the outside and concentrated with flavours on the inside."

—Michael Yee, Chipta 11a


Restaurant Sun Kim Aik

Address: 297, Main Road, Jalan Lahat, Menglembu, 30200, Ipoh


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