I love Dim Sum. I first fell in love with it during a trip to New York City. From my very first bite in Nom Wah Tea Palor it changed the course of my life. Dim sum influenced me to I move to one of the Dim Sum capitals of the world, Hong Kong.

But I don’t live in Hong Kong anymore; however, that doesn’t mean there is a shortage of delicious Dim Sum in Saigon.

Now before we start, I like to divide the Dim Sum scene in Saigon into two categories: Hong Kong Style and Vietnamese Style.

Hong Kong style of course resembles the dim sum you see in Hong Kong. Usually indoors filled with plenty of circular dining tables, dim sum served in bamboo steamer baskets, and a taste that more resembles a Cantonese palate than Vietnamese.

Vietnamese style tends to be more easily accessible from small street carts, thicker and chewier wrappers on items such as Har Gow, and served with condiments such as fresh chilis, satay sauce, and sweet chili.

Dim Sum Street

One of the few dim sum recommendations I have that comes outside of Chợ Lớn.

Doing your typical dim sum items, but with more of that Vietnamese “flare” as I mentioned before. However, traditional dim sum isn’t why you would come here. Instead it is for an item which I have only been able to find here.

If you are down for a real treat you will find the bánh quấy lady from my bàn cờ market guide and enjoy some bánh quấy stuffed with this cheesy crab.

The cheesy crabs that have been broiled on top. Yeah, definitely not your typical dim sum, but in a world where people like their BBQ pork buns to look like pigs, why can’t something like this delicious crab, seafood, and cheese stuffed crab shell become a normal thing.

Address: 27C Bàn Cờ, Phường 3, Quận 3, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh

Open: 8am-1pm, 5pm-10pm

Tiến Phát – Điểm Tâm Hồng Kông

Deep in Chinatown, all the way out in district 11.

Perfect if want to get outside of city center and explore the depths of Saigon.

None of the items here make me have a craving and a must reason to come back, yet the collective of all the items being really good, great atmosphere, and in an area of the city I need to explore more, you can bet I always give a stop here in the morning.

Address

18 Ký Hoà, Phường 11, Quận 5, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh

Open

Every day 6am-12pm

Hong Kong Style

Kowloon

Bing Sutt

Makes you feel like you’re in Hong Kong from every aspect. From the name “Kowloon”, to the mural paintings covering the walls as you walk to the seating upstairs, and even the aunties gossiping about their day in Cantonese.

Even the menu has a special item which I have only been able to find here. A Hong Kong staple drink that you can find locals sipping on in Hong Kong, the Yuenyeung.

The morning menu consists of your typical dim sum items while the afternoon has more items such as your beef hor fun and other Hong Kong specialty dishes.

I have only tasted the morning assortment of dim sum items.

This place takes the char siu bao gold medal, slightly reminding me of my all time favorite char siu bao deep in the sleepy docks of Tan Po, Hong Kong. Even the color is almost spot on, ha!

Beautiful, slightly transparent wrappers, that let you stare into your destiny of a prawn filled har gow.

Address: 2 Trần Xuân Hoà, Phường 7, Quận 5, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh

Open: 7am-2pm, 5pm-10pm

Tân Nguyên Thái Dim Sum

Straight old school vibes.

From menus that look like they haven’t been replaced since opening (which is impressive because it’s about 10 pages), worn down steamer baskets, and what seemed like the hot spot for your grandpa and grandma to get some dim sum while enjoying reading the newspaper.

However, this place is run by a Chinese-Vietnamese family for over 20 years now.

One aspect I found interesting is actually having a choice for what type of tea I would like to drink. You can have a choice of: jasmine, oolong, chrysanthemum, and Pu-erh.

There is a hidden charm to this place. When I eat dim sum here, it isn’t about eating the best, but I found myself immersed in the atmosphere. Time slows down, as you drink pot after pot of tea and enjoying good company and conversation.

Address: 02D An D. Vương, Phường 9, Quận 5, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh

Open: 6am-sold out

Overall Winner

Dim Tu Tac

“Dim tu tac” means “anything you want or anything is possible” in Chinese.

The restaurant’s mission statement of exploring various possibilities through innovative cooking techniques and culturally inspired ingredients, really shines through as you flip through a 20 page menu with dishes ranging from regions all over China.

The menu may be a little overwhelming, yet my eyes were directly locked into the Shanghai and Guangdong province specialties.

Now, I know this can be a little intimidating as it may look ultra fancy or like you need a reservation. However, if you’re coming for some brunch time dim sum, you should have no problem at all without a reservation.

I can’t highlight the service enough as I never even got the opportunity to set my teapot ajar before the server would refill my teapot with a fresh batch of steaming tea.

However, after taking one bite of these chicken feet in blackbean sauce, I officially knew this was the place I would return for my dim sum, many, many, times.

The best part is there are 4 locations all over Saigon.

Address: 55 Đông Du, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh

Open: 10am-10pm

My Wish List