A guide to the best dim sum spots in Malaysia

Specialising in traditional Cantonese cuisine, Mini Tanker houses Chinese rotisserie, sizzling wok dishes, and an impressive selection of dim sum. The Damansara Kim restaurant elevates dim sum plates, incorporating opulent ingredients like truffle and abalone. If you’re in the mood for more substantial plates, order its signature roast duck thigh or seafood curry noodles. 

Oriental Treasure’s menu is a showcase of contemporary dim sum dishes. While patrons will be able to find well-known plates, the restaurant’s skillset lies in highlighting premium ingredients and unconventional flavour combinations. White lotus salted egg yolk buns, deep-fried meat and tangerine peel dumplings, and basil chicken feet are just some of its notable offerings. 

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At the forefront of Ming Ren Xuan is a passion for fine Chinese cuisine. Each dish is immaculately presented and steeped in elegance. Black truffle har gow is one of its mainstays, best served alongside steamed spinach dumplings, deep fried carrot dumplings, and blue shrimp dumplings. 

Operating since the 1970s, Restaurant Sun Kim Aik is a widely loved dim sum haunt in Ipoh. The restaurant upholds a traditional steamer-to-table approach, allowing diners to choose from a freshly steamed selection. It proves a favourite among locals, with its har gow being especially sought after. 

While The Ritz-Carlton’s acclaimed Chinese restaurant is best known for bigger plates, its dim sum selection should not overlooked. Curated by an expertly trained dim sum chef, Tan Tiong Guan, each plate offers refinement hard to come by elsewhere. Alongside familiar bites like steamed chicken feet in black bean sauce and crab roe siu mai, Li Yen specialises in innovative dim sum dishes including deep fried avocado rolls, steamed dumpling with pine nuts, and bamboo shoot har gow. 

Offering some of the best dim sum in Melaka, Chef Heng Dim Sum has deservedly become a local breakfast institution. While its menu is equipped with traditional dim sum plates, some dishes draw inspiration from Melakan delicacies. Its pan-fried eggplant flooded with sauce made in-house is a must-have. 

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Tai Tong Restaurant is an established dim sum eatery located in central Georgetown. The restaurant stays true to its heritage, offering beloved dim sum classics. Opening at daybreak, this spot fills up early with swarms of early risers queuing for its signature plates. Find crispy carrot cake, chicken feet and salted egg yolk custard buns here. 

Nostalgic, unassuming, and unfussy, Restaurant Phang Key offers some of the best dim sum in Taman Gembira. With seating located across the street from its kitchen, the restaurant provides a truly alfresco dining experience. Plates are down-to-earth and uncomplicated, best paired with its selection of homemade beverages. Standout dishes include handmade steamed fishballs, lo mai gai, and chee cheong fun.