Cover Saam Hui Yaat (Photo: coffee.day/Instagram)
Saam Hui Yaat (Photo: coffee.day/Instagram)
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Four of Hong Kong's top Chinese chefs reveal their favourite yum cha spots
In Hong Kong, the ritual of enjoying dim sum with Chinese tea—otherwise known as yum cha—is a part of this city's cultural identity and is as essential as the dim sum itself. Dim sum usually refers to the small plates of Chinese food including dumplings, buns, fried snacks, cheung fun, chicken feet and everything else in between. To give you some inspiration on where to have dim sum, we asked five Chinese chefs in Hong Kong where they like to go and what to order, so you can follow in their footsteps on your next lunch outing.
See also: Hong Kong's 36 best Cantonese restaurants, according to the Tatler Dining Guide
1. Forum
Cantonese
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Causeway Bay
Photo: eatlike852/Instagram
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Awards
2026 Tatler Best 20 Restaurants Hong Kong
2025 Tatler Best 20 Restaurants Hong Kong
2024 Michelin 3 Stars
Must Try
- Braised abalone
- Sweet and sour pork
- Forum crispy chicken
Vicky Cheng, VEA and Wing
“My favourite place to go for dim sum is Forum Restaurant in Causeway Bay. They have solid skills and blend classic techniques with innovation. My must-order item is Ah Yat steamed premium shrimp dumpling.”
2. Lin Heung Kui
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Sheung Wan
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Adam Wong, Forum
“I think Lin Heung Kui has real Hong Kong flavour. The har gao and siu mai are well made. The siu mai aren’t too big and the har gao is made fresh with bamboo in it. This is traditional dim sum. Then there’s the char siu bao, big chicken buns, lor mai gai (glutinous rice and chicken in lotus leaves), quail egg siu mai, beef balls, chicken feet and spare ribs in black bean sauce. These make Lin Heung Kui a must-visit for traditional dim sum and I really like them all.”
3. Saam Hui Yaat
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Sai Ying Pun
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ArChan Chan, Ho Lee Fook
“Saam Hui Yaat in Sai Ying Pun is my favourite spot for dim sum. I am a supporter of places with a long history. This place has been in business since 1978 and now, the second generation is currently running it. The first time I tasted their har gao and siu mai, I immediately ordered a second serving! That’s how delicious it is. My must-orders include har gao, siu mai and wok-fried noodles.”
4. Duen Kee
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Tsuen Wan
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Saito Chau, Chinesology
“My favourite dim-sum place is Duen Kee Chinese Restaurant. I like to drive and the Tai Mo Shan route is a must-go whenever I have free time, so Duen Kee is perfect for fuelling up post-drive. Also, in this self-service dim sum restaurant, the atmosphere is cheerfully communal and the interior reflects golden-era Hong Kong. Dim sum is in bamboo baskets and laid out on the steam table or in a heated cabinet. It brings back childhood memories of picking up dim sum baskets when going to yum cha with my family.
I would recommend lo mai gai and their homemade dau fu fa (tofu pudding). You have to head to the large tubs to scoop it up yourself. I also like to order the blanched watercress, sourced from the neighbouring fields, which is the only thing that must be ordered from the server. This dish is [supposedly] the favourite dish of my favourite Hong Kong Actor, Chow Yun-fat.”
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A storyteller by day and a first-class food devourer by night, Fontaine is the Regional Dining Editor at Tatler Asia, overseeing dining content across all regions and shaping the brand’s editorial voice on food, chefs and culinary culture.
She is also Content Lead for Tatler Best and Co-jury Head for Tatler Best Hong Kong and Macau, guiding the awards’ editorial direction and evaluation process. With over a decade in the lifestyle and media industry spanning London and Hong Kong, she brings a cross-regional perspective to the table.
Follow her on Instagram at @fontimes.
