Cover Cross the causeway and find a myriad of Cantonese dim sum restaurants serving up both classic and innovative creations (Photo: Getty Images)
Cross the causeway and find a myriad of Cantonese dim sum restaurants serving up both classic and innovative creations (Photo: Getty Images)
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Tired of visiting the same dim sum joints in Singapore? Cross the causeway and find a myriad of Cantonese dim sum restaurants serving up both classic and innovative creations
Dim sum restaurants in Singapore are aplenty—from modern interpretations at Madame Fan to timeless classics at Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant, there’s something for every taste bud.
But, if you find yourself getting tired of frequenting the same joints, why not venture beyond the border? Not only is Johor Bahru loved for its ever-growing cafe scene and delectable seafood, the Malaysian city is also home to an array of no-frills yum cha spots that put the spotlight on traditional Cantonese dim sum creations.
Opt for a traditional push cart experience at Cha Lao Dim Sum or pick your favourite classics among stacks of bamboo steamer baskets at Restoran Sin Siang Yuan Tim Sum. Below, we share some of the must-visit dim sum spots in Johor Bahru for when your next craving hits.
In case you missed it: A day trip to Johor Bahru: The best things to see, do and eat
Gim Cheng Dim Sum Restaurant
Above Gim Cheng Dim Sum Restaurant (Photo: Screenshot from Google Maps)
Gim Cheng Dim Sum Restaurant (Photo: Screenshot from Google Maps)
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For an authentic, high-energy dim sum experience favoured by locals, Gim Cheng is a must-visit. This bustling, no-frills institution has earned its reputation through sheer consistency, offering an unpretentious atmosphere where steaming baskets are stacked high from morning until mid-afternoon. While renowned for its vast repertoire of traditional favourites, we highly recommend securing a plate of the freshly made Egg Tarts and trying their hearty, classic Char Siew Bao for a true taste of old-school flavour.
Restoran Sin Siang Yuan Tim Sum
Above Restoran Sin Siang Yuan Tim Sum is an old school gem with an extensive selection of dim sum creations (Photo: Instagram / @Thesilverchef)
Restoran Sin Siang Yuan Tim Sum is an old school gem with an extensive selection of dim sum creations (Photo: Instagram / @Thesilverchef)
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This dim sum joint isn’t hard to find, thanks to its bright red signage and stacks of bamboo steamer baskets at the entrance. A local favourite, this old-school gem offers an extensive selection of freshly made classic and innovative creations from century egg mai. Head to the entrance and take your pick from its rows of steamer baskets filled with bite-sized creations—you’ll want to try its signatures, including the prawn roll, fried carrot cake and lotus leaf steamed rice.
Restoran Sin Siang Yuan Tim Sum
62, Jalan Bakawali 48, Taman Johor Jaya, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta'zim, Malaysia
Cha Lao Dim Sum
Above Visit Cha Lao Dim Sum for an authentic Cantonese dim sum experience (Photo: Instagram / @Cha_lao_dim_sum)
Visit Cha Lao Dim Sum for an authentic Cantonese dim sum experience (Photo: Instagram / @Cha_lao_dim_sum)
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Visit Cha Lao Dim Sum for an authentic Cantonese dim sum experience. Step in and you’ll be greeted with a kitchen window, allowing you to watch as the chefs make each item by hand. The dining experience is traditional, with staff pushing carts brimming with hot dim sum. Get to savour plates of stir-fried radish cake with bean sprouts and steamed rice rolls filled with char siew. Save room for dessert as you’ll want to sink your teeth into its sweet treats like the Portuguese egg tarts and steamed custard buns with salted egg yolk.
Cha Lao Dim Sum
G-6, Ground Floor, Holiday Villa, 260, Jalan Dato Sulaiman, Taman Abad, 80250 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Tasixi
Above A wide variety of traditional dim sum creations await at Tasixi (Photo: Instagram / @Feedmethatnow)
A wide variety of traditional dim sum creations await at Tasixi (Photo: Instagram / @Feedmethatnow)
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A wide variety of traditional dim sum creations await at Tasixi. Instead of picking your dishes off traditional pushcarts, staff would bring around trays of steamer baskets filled with dim sum creations instead. A selection of dishes ranging from steamed pork ribs and har gao to carrot cake and egg tarts are available. For sweets, the custard bun is a standout, featuring a molten custard centre.
Tatler Tip: As the joint is known to garner snaking queues throughout the day, it’s recommended to head down early to grab a table.
TaSiXi
11 Jalan Camar 1/3, Taman Perling, 81200 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta'zim, Malaysia
D’Shanghai Dim Sum
Above Satisfy your dim sum cravings at D’Shanghai Dim Sum (Photo: Facebook / DShanghai)
Satisfy your dim sum cravings at D’Shanghai Dim Sum (Photo: Facebook / DShanghai)
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Head to D’Shanghai Dim Sum’s Taman Pelangi outlet to satisfy your dim sum cravings here. Its xiao long bao is a crowd favourite, featuring juicy meat meticulously hand-wrapped in a translucent skin and steamed. Bite into it and enjoy a flavourful broth, the result of fresh pork gravy simmered for three hours. Unique flavours are available too, like the rice wine xiao long bao, fresh scallop xiao long bao and genki xiao long bao. The latter is made with Angelica root to obtain rich and herbal flavours. Along with soup dumplings, dig into classic dim sum fare including siew mai, shrimp dumplings and Hong Kong-style shrimp rice rolls.
D’Shanghai Dim Sum
56, Jalan Permas 15/1, Bandar Baru Permas Jaya, 81750 Masai, Johor Darul Ta'zim, Malaysia
Pin Ming Xuan
Above Find traditional Cantonese dim sum at Pin Ming Xuan (Photo: Facebook / Pin Ming Xuan)
Find traditional Cantonese dim sum at Pin Ming Xuan (Photo: Facebook / Pin Ming Xuan)
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Pin Ming Xuan has long been a favourite for traditional Cantonese dim sum. At its main branch in KSL shopping mall, there is an extensive selection of dim sum gems such as crispy shrimp and water chestnut beancurd rolls, stir-fried radish cake and the special 3-in-1 porridge. The latter offers a signature blend of egg, salted egg and century egg mixed into a comforting bowl of congee. Innovative creations are also available, such as fish skin dumplings, braised chicken feet with peanuts and corn custard buns.
Tatler Tip: Vegan-friendly options are available too—savour crystal dumplings, and fluffy buns stuffed with cabbage, snow fungus and celtuce, among others.
Pin Ming Xuan
10 Jalan Serigala, Taman Century Garden, 80250 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta'zim, Malaysia
Restoran Kak Kak
Above Restoran Kak Kak is easily accessible for those crossing the Causeway (Photo: Facebook / Restoran Kak Kak)
Restoran Kak Kak is easily accessible for those crossing the Causeway (Photo: Facebook / Restoran Kak Kak)
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This perennial favourite, which has been thriving for over three decades, provides a truly nostalgic dim sum ritual. Restoran Kak Kak is easily accessible for those crossing the Causeway, offering a straightforward, traditional experience built around hand-made dumplings. While the ordering system is modernised, the flavours remain classic. We recommend making a point of trying their highly-rated Seaweed Dim Sum and, for the adventurous, the densely-packed Stuffed Bean Curd, all served in a casual, highly efficient setting.
Jiah Xiang Dim Sum
Above Jiah Xiang Dim Sum (Photo: Facebook / Jiah Xiang Dim Sum)
Jiah Xiang Dim Sum (Photo: Facebook / Jiah Xiang Dim Sum)
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A favourite amongst insiders for its reliable quality and sheer convenience, Jiah Xiang Dim Sum is the solution for your late-night or pre-dawn dim sum cravings, as it operates 24 hours a day. Unlike places that mass-produce, Jiah Xiang is lauded for its focus on fresh ingredients and made-to-order dishes, making the quality upgrade noticeable. Don't leave without tasting the popular Golden Bao (the molten liu sha bao) and the unexpectedly delightful Kataifi Mango Shrimp, where crispy pastry meets sweet mango and savoury shrimp.
Amanda Goh was the former senior writer for Tatler Singapore.
