Cheap dim sum in SingaporeÂ
My dad is never more enthusiastic about eating in a crowded and bustling environment than when we’re having dim sum. He loves the old Hong Kong feel of enjoying these small bites surrounded by loud chatter from the tables around us, echoes of clinking porcelain tea cups, and harried women pushing dim sum carts stacked high with bamboo baskets around the dining hall. These cheap dim sum in Singapore may not have vibes of that sort, but any disappointment can be resolved by a couple more pieces of tasty siew mai.
Table of Contents
- Cheap dim sum in SingaporeÂ
- 1. Bei-Ing Dimsum Club
- 2. 126 Dim Sum Wen Dao Shi
- 3. Kuai San Dian Xin (Dim Sum Express)
- 4. Tanjong Rhu Pau & Confectionery
- 5. Xiao Chen Handmade Bao Dian
- 6. Hong Kong Mongkok Tim Sum
- 7. Victor’s Kitchen
- 8. Old Airport Homemade Pau Dian
- 9. Chao Yue Xuan Dim Sum
- 10. Ji Tuo Hong Kong Style Dim Sum
- 11. 5-Star Dim Sum
- 12. The Dim Sum Place
- 13. Sum Dim Sum
- 14. Hong Ji Handmade Dim Sum Bao
- 15. Richman Dim Sum
- Where to get cheap dim sum in Singapore
1. Bei-Ing Dimsum Club
At Bei-Ing Dimsum Club, you get a creative twist on traditional dim sum. Fun fact: it’s opened by the son of the couple running the famous Bei-Ing Wanton Noodles at Roxy Square 1! Try the Black Truffle Xiao Long Bao ($10.90 for six) and the Golden Ebiko Cheese Siu Mai ($6.20 for three), the latter featuring nacho cheese with juicy meat filling and a chewy dumpling skin. Their Aburi-Mentai Fried Chicken Bao ($6.50 for three) features fried bao filled with succulent chicken meat and mentaiko sauce, topped with delicate bonito flakes.
Check out our Bei-Ing Dimsum Club review.
Address: 396 East Coast Road, The Bullion Hawker Bar, Singapore 428994
Opening hours: Mon, Wed & Fri 10am to 9pm, Tue & Thurs 10:30am to 8:30pm, Sat 9:30am to 10pm, Sun 9:30am to 9pm
Tel: 9046 7176
Website
Bei-Ing Dimsum Club is not a halal-certified eatery.
2. 126 Dim Sum Wen Dao Shi
Image credit: @mark.ptkw
Alongside Swee Choon, 126 Dim Sum Wen Dao Shi is undoubtedly one of the most popular dim sum stores in Singapore. Serving up relatively affordable dim sum fare, it’s no wonder this 24-hour dim sum store attracts a huge crowd, even in the wee hours.
Their Shrimp Dumplings ($4.80+ for three) are a favourite of mine because they’re filled with plump pieces of prawns. If you prefer more intense flavours, their Chilli Crab Siew Mai ($6.80+ for three) and Seafood Tom Yum Siew Mai ($4.80+ for three) are worth a try! For something more filling, try their Sambal Fried Rice or Singapore Stir-Fried Bee Hoon at $10+ each, with portion sizes suitable for two people.
Read our 126 Dim Sum Wen Dao Shi feature.
Geylang outlet
Address: 126 Sims Avenue, Singapore 387449
Opening hours: Mon 12am to 5:30am, 11am to 12am, Tue-Thurs 11am to 5:30am, Fri 11am to 12am, Sat-Sun 24 hours
Tel: 6746 4757
Boon Keng outlet
Address: 1086 Serangoon Road, Singapore 328187
Opening hours: Daily 5:30pm to 2:30am
Tel: 6297 5032
Website
126 Dim Sum Wen Dao Shi is not a halal-certified eatery.
126 Dim Sum: Popular Geylang Eatery Since 1985, Opens 24 Hours On Weekends
3. Kuai San Dian Xin (Dim Sum Express)
Not only is every item on their menu $1.50, Kuai San Dian Xin—also known as Dim Sum Express—is open 24/7, so you can satisfy your dim sum cravings anytime. Warm your belly up with flavourful Century Egg Pork Porridge prepared in a Cantonese style. They also make a mean serving of Fried Carrot Cake that comes with a crisp exterior and chewy insides.
Check out other 24-hour restaurants in Singapore.
Website | Full list of outlets
Kuai San Dian Xin is not a halal-certified eatery.
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4. Tanjong Rhu Pau & Confectionery
Image credit: @karenkohh
Tanjong Rhu Pau & Confectionery’s buns are mini by average standards, but there’s a reason for their loyal following. Ordering the Char Siew Pau ($1.10 each, $10.50 for 10) is a must here. The char siew meat stuffing is chunkier than usual, giving each bite a more satisfying mouthfeel. Their Pork Pau ($2.20 each, $10.50 for five) is another popular snack stuffed with lean but succulent pork and hard-boiled egg.
Read our Tanjong Rhu Pau & Confectionery feature.
Website | Full list of outlets
Tanjong Rhu Pau & Confectionery is not a halal-certified eatery.
Tanjong Rhu Pau: Famous Handmade Bao And Siew Mai Since The 1960s
5. Xiao Chen Handmade Bao Dian
Image credit: @bloodytoad
Xiao Chen Handmade Bao Dian makes their dim sum from scratch daily, ensuring freshness and quality. Besides traditional Siew Mai ($2.20 for three), which they stuff with whole shrimp and ground pork, Xiao Chen also has a host of other dim sum, such as their popular Crab Stick Dumpling ($2.20 for two), Jade Dumpling ($2.20 for three), and Scallop Dumpling ($2.20 for three).
Address: 68 Geylang Bahru, Singapore 330068
Opening hours: Daily 7am to 8pm
Tel: 9446 3862
Xiao Chen Handmade Bao Dian is not a halal-certified eatery.
6. Hong Kong Mongkok Tim Sum
Image credit: @cheryl_ene
Hong Kong Mongkok Tim Sum’s simple menu of just six handmade items will leave you satisfied. Though priced slightly higher than other dim sum places at $3.50 for all items, you’ll get quality dim sum here that’s worth your buck. The skin of their Xia Jiao, AKA har gow, is translucently thin, yet sturdy enough to hold a rather hefty load of fresh prawn, and each Char Siew Bao is made Hong Kong-style with a light, airy bun cracked open to expose the marinated meat filling.
Address: 335 Smith Street, #02-097, Chinatown Complex Market & Food Centre, Singapore 050335
Opening hours: Wed-Sun 11am to 5pm
Tel: 9735 6312
Hong Kong Mongkok Tim Sum is not a halal-certified eatery.
7. Victor’s Kitchen
Image credit: Victor’s Kitchen
Expect authentic dim sum at Victor’s Kitchen, where an ex-hotel chef from Hong Kong runs the show. Some must-try items include the succulent Poached Sze-Chuan Dumpling in Spicy Sauce ($5.90), which comes with a generous amount of prawns. Other popular items include the Golden Egg Yolk Lava Bun ($5.90 for three) and the juicy Xiao Long Bao (Soup Dumpling) ($5.90 for three).
BTW, Victor’s Kitchen gets really busy during peak hours, so I recommend coming earlier to secure a table at this popular dim sum joint.
Read our Victor’s Kitchen feature.
Bencoolen outlet
Address: 91 Bencoolen Street, #01-49, Sunshine Plaza, Singapore 189652
Opening hours: Sun-Thurs 10:30am to 8pm, Fri-Sat 10:30am to 9pm
Tel: 9616 6077
Chinatown outlet
Address: 133 New Bridge Road, #B1-33, Chinatown Point, Singapore 059413
Opening hours: Daily 10:30am to 9pm
Tel: 9616 6077
Website
Victor’s Kitchen is not a halal-certified eatery.
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8. Old Airport Homemade Pau Dian
Image credit: @clewhock
A good-looking bao may come with pristine white skin, but their ugly cousins—the ones with patchy exteriors from juices of the meat stuffing seeping through—are often the tastiest. Old Airport Homemade Pau Dian’s Traditional Handmade Char Siew Pau ($1) is exactly like that. Painstakingly made by hand every morning, you can be sure that the dishes here are made with loads of love. Get some of their Classic HK Style Siew Mai ($3 for three) too, if you can, as these run out fast. But if you want something more filling, don’t miss out on their sinful yet delicious Braised Pork Pau ($1.80), which comes filled with a huge chunk of fatty braised pork belly.
Website | Full list of outlets
Old Airport Homemade Pau Dian is not a halal-certified eatery.
9. Chao Yue Xuan Dim Sum
Image credit: @chaoyuexuan
Get restaurant-quality dim sum at food court prices here at Chao Yue Xuan Dim Sum. Opened by Chef Vanness Chai, formerly of St Regis Hotel, the eatery can be found at the classy Capitol Singapore. The Steamed Chicken Feet W/ Black Bean Sauce ($6.80++) is certainly not to be missed—its braised-to-perfection skin soaks up the savoury black bean sauce, delivering a burst of aromatic flavours.
Diners looking for something more substantial can also try the Handmade Meatball Congee ($11.80++) or Handmade Prawn Ball Noodle ($13.80++). If you come with a friend, they also have a value set for two at $29.80++ that comes with Fresh Shrimp Wanton Soup, Steamed Minced Pork with Dong Cai Rice and more.
Address: 13 Stamford Road, #B2-51/52, Capitol Singapore, Singapore 178905
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 9pm
Website
Chao Yue Xuan Dim Sum is not a halal-certified eatery.
10. Ji Tuo Hong Kong Style Dim Sum
Image credit: thinline via Google Maps
The menu at Ji Tuo Hong Kong Style Dim Sum is rather small, with only 14 menu items for you to pick from. The highlight of this stall is their Custard Bun at just $3.50 for three, their Beijing Style Dumpling ($3.50 for five), and Fried Carrot Cake ($3.50 for three). The latter is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, and is touted as a standout choice too. Though nestled in a hidden, industrial area, the quality of food for the price makes it worth the trip!
Address: 2 Bukit Batok Street 24, #09-18, Singapore 659480
Opening hours: Tue-Thurs 7am to 3pm, Sat-Sun 7am to 2pm
Tel: 8150 8784
Website
Ji Tuo Hong Kong Style Dim Sum is not a halal-certified eatery.
11. 5-Star Dim Sum
Image credit: 5-Star Dim Sum – Meiling Street via Google Maps
Located in Bukit Merah, Clementi, and Queenstown, 5-Star Dim Sum has a sizable selection of items on its menu. From BBQ Char Siew Bun ($4 for three) to Hong Kong Style Steamed Mushroom Buns ($4.50), bao lovers will surely find something that suits their taste buds. The HK Shrimp Cheong Fun is a popular item that is available for $5, and those dining in even numbers will be delighted to know that their Steamed Prawn Siew Mai ($5) comes in baskets of four, saving everybody from the awkwardness of the paiseh piece.
Website | Full list of outlets
5-Star Dim Sum is not a halal-certified eatery.
12. The Dim Sum Place
Image credit: @teapottummies
As Singapore’s best-rated dim sum eatery, The Dim Sum Place needs no introduction. Located at multiple locations throughout the city, The Dim Sum Place is also halal-certified, perfect for a meal out with your Muslim friends. If you’re feeling adventurous, try the Steamed Chicken & Mala Xiao Long Bao Combo ($7.90++ for four), or the Spinach Dumpling with Shrimp ($7.90++ for three). Besides dim sum, a variety of Hong Kong-style meals are also offered, including the Aromatic Garlic Fried Rice with Onsen Egg ($14.90++) and the umami-laden Duck Noodle Soup ($12.90++).
Website | Full list of outlets
The Dim Sum Place is a halal-certified eatery.
13. Sum Dim Sum
Image credit: @suna.yeon.s2
Possibly the restaurant with the most aesthetically pleasing storefront on this list, Sum Dim Sum’s flagship Jalan Besar outlet stands out from the rows of shophouses with its Tiffany blue walls. Customers can seek respite from Singapore’s sweltering weather in the restaurant, which has air conditioning on both the ground and top floors.
If you like your dumplings with a thicker skin, get their Xiao Long Bao ($6.10++ for three, $11.70++ for six), which comes with a chewy wrapper loaded with juicy pork filling. The Pan Fried Carrot Cake ($5.50++ for three) is also unlike the usual—it’s topped with ikan bilis, fried shallots, sesame seeds, and sliced red chilli for a kick of spice. A modern twist on the classic dim sum, they also have the Wolfberry with Mushroom Siew Mai ($5.30++ for three) and the Fresh Prawn Tiffany Blue XL Hargow ($6.60++ for three), which is wrapped in a striking sea blue skin with an eye-catching gradient.
Jalan Besar outlet
Address: 161 Jalan Besar, Singapore 208876
Opening hours: Mon–Thu 11:30am to 12am, Fri 11:30am to 2am, Sat 10:30am to 2am, Sun 10:30am to 12am
Tel: 8818 9161
Bedok outlet
Address: 900 Bedok North Road, #02-02, HometeamNS Bedok, Singapore 479994
Opening hours: Daily 10:30am to 10pm
Tel: 8818 9161
Website
Sum Dim Sum is not a halal-certified eatery.
14. Hong Ji Handmade Dim Sum Bao
Hong Ji Handmade Dim Sum Bao serves affordable, handmade bao and dim sum from just $1 at a humble coffeeshop in Bishan. Everything here is made from scratch daily, from dough to fillings, so you can expect soft, fluffy buns and rich, house-made pastes. Try favourites like the Coffee Bao ($1.10), Char Siew Bao ($1.10), and Siew Mai (price TBD). Open as early as 5:30am, it’s a perfect breakfast stop for early risers.
Read our Hong Ji Handmade Dim Sum Bao review.
Address: 150A Bishan Street 11, Singapore 570150
Opening hours: Daily 5:30am to 2:30pm
Tel: 8358 4590
Website
Hong Ji Handmade Dim Sum Bao is not a halal-certified eatery.
Hong Ji Handmade Dim Sum Bao Review: Fresh Dim Sum From $1 In Bishan
15. Richman Dim Sum
Richman Dim Sum is a dim sum stall in Ubi helmed by an ex-restaurant chef with over 30 years of experience at Crystal Jade and Mercure Hotel. With over 40 dishes on the menu, this stall offers wallet-friendly picks such as their signature Crispy Popiah Rice Rolls ($6.80 for six), Teriyaki BBQ Siew Mai ($6.80 for three), and Charcoal Char Siew Buns ($5.80 for three). Best of all, you can enjoy your meal in an air-conditioned dining area within the coffeeshop.
Read our Richman Dim Sum review.
Address: 71 Ubi Crescent, #01-05, Excalibur Centre, Singapore 408571
Opening hours: Daily 7:30am to 5pm
Website
Richman Dim Sum is not a halal-certified eatery.
This Ex-Hotel Chef Has Dim Sum From $2.90 In Ubi—Here’s Our Honest Review
Where to get cheap dim sum in Singapore
Whether you’re a purist who sticks to the traditional har gow, char siew bao, and chee cheong fan, or a trendy yum cha-er seeking the most flowy liu sha bao, there’s a dim sum joint for everyone.
In related content, check out our guide to the best affordable dim sum buffets in Singapore, with options starting from $16.80++ per person. Otherwise, read our guide to the best dim sum places in Singapore, including halal and buffet options.
12 Dim Sum Buffets From $16.80++ For Free-Flow Har Gao, Siew Mai And More
Feature image adapted from @karenkohh, Victor’s Kitchen, and @chaoyuexuan.
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