Singapore’s hawker centres offer some of the best dim sum experiences outside of Hong Kong, with skilled chefs serving restaurant-quality bites at fraction of the cost. From ex-hotel chefs to multi-generational family operations, these stalls prove that excellent dim sum doesn’t require white tablecloths or hefty bills.
Price Guide
Budget: $1.50-$3 per basket Mid-range: $3-$5 per basket
Premium hawker: $4-$6 per basket
Top Hawker Dim Sum Stalls by Region
CENTRAL/TOA PAYOH
Kun Shu Food Stall (Gen Shu Mei Shi Shi Jia)
Location: Block 74 Lorong 4 Toa Payoh, #01-03, Singapore 310074
Hours: Wed-Sun 6am-1pm (closed Mon-Tue)
Price range: $2.80-$4.30
Chef Lam Kun, originally from Hong Kong, previously worked at Shangri-La Hotel’s Shang Palace and as head chef at Mouth Restaurant before opening his own stall in 2003. At 73 years old, he still arrives at 3am daily to prepare fresh dim sum.
Must-tries:
- Oblong Lor Mai Kai ($4.30) – Available weekends only. This oversized glutinous rice is filled with tender chicken, salted egg, and other ingredients, substantial enough to serve as a complete meal
- Siew Mai – Thin-skinned with generous pork filling
- Signature Yam Cake ($2.80) – Two pieces garnished with spring onions, fried shallots, peanuts, and sesame seeds
Insider tip: Arrive early on weekends for the oblong lor mai kai, which often sells out by mid-morning.
WEST
5-Star Dim Sum
Location: Mei Ling Street Hawker Centre
Hours: Daily (varies)
Price range: $2-$4
Chef Yiu Wah Tai brings 30 years of experience from prestigious restaurants including Jiang-Nan Chun at Four Seasons Hotel and Shang Palace at Shangri-La Hotel. The stall now has five outlets across Singapore.
Must-tries:
- Char Siew Bun ($3 for 2 pieces)
- Handmade dim sum crafted by Master Yiu
Note: This stall draws significant crowds, with many customers willing to travel across the island and pay substantial transport costs to visit.
EAST
Singapore Bao
Location: 29 Bendemeer Road, #01-61, Singapore 330029
Hours: Daily 7am-10am
Price range: $0.70-$2
Despite its name, this isn’t a bao shop. The stall sells only two items, both freshly made daily.
Must-tries:
- Siew Mai ($0.70 each, $2 for 3) – Hand-rolled pork balls that are chunkier than typical versions, with balanced lean and fatty pork
- Lor Mai Gai ($2) – Glutinous rice cooked in savory soy sauce, topped with stewed shiitake mushrooms and tender chicken thigh
Insider tip: The stall draws queues before its 7am opening and often sells out by 9am.
Neptune Hong Kong Tim Sum
Location: Marine Parade Hawker Centre, 84 Marine Parade Central, #01-176
Hours: Daily
Price range: $2-$4
This family-run operation features three generations of women working between bamboo steamers, creating a classic hawker experience with customers queuing to make selections from the billboard menu.
What makes it special: Traditional service style with stacks of bamboo steamers containing different dim sum varieties.
NORTH/NORTHEAST
Yi Dian Xin
Location: 973 Upper Serangoon Road, Singapore 534725
Hours: Daily 7am-5pm (closed Tuesdays)
Price range: $2.20-$3.80
This nostalgic spot specializes in old-school dim sum that brings back childhood memories.
Must-tries:
- Liu Sha Bao (salted egg custard buns) – Priced at $3.80 for three, these are among Singapore’s most affordable while maintaining quality
- Lo Mi Ji (glutinous rice chicken) – $2.20
- Har Cheong Fun (prawn rice rolls) – $3.50
- Xiao Long Bao – $3 for 3 pieces
Expansion note: Planning to open in Sembawang Hills Estate to serve a wider audience.
Nian Nian Fa Dim Sum
Location: 527 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10, #01-121, Cheng San Market and Cooked Food Centre
Hours: Daily 6am-4pm
Price range: $1.20-$3.80
Run by a former Hong Kong chef, this stall offers excellent dim sum at remarkably low prices.
Must-tries:
- Turnip Cake ($1.50) – Features strong radish fragrance enhanced by house-made chilli
- Shrimp Dumpling ($1.20 each) – Fresh, succulent diced prawn in crispy wonton skin
- Salted Egg Custard Buns ($3.80 for 3) – Creamy, luscious egg yolk filling in soft fluffy buns, not overly sweet
- Chicken Glutinous Rice – Includes Chinese sausage (lup cheong)
BUDGET CHAMPIONS
Kuai San Dian Xin (Dim Sum Express)
Locations: 9 outlets islandwide, some open 24/7
Price range: $1.50 per basket
Operating in food courts and coffeeshops across the island, this chain offers baskets at just $1.50, making it one of Singapore’s most affordable dim sum options.
Menu: All the regulars including bao, har gow, and steamed yam cakes.
Xiao Chen Homemade Bao Dian
Locations: Multiple
Price range: $1.90 per basket
Run by a Malaysian cook who prepares fresh dim sum daily, offering baskets at $1.90.
Unique items:
- Seaweed Siew Mai
- Century Egg Dumplings
- Ham Siew Mai
Note: Hand-shaped siew mai and har gao are meaty with adventurous variations not typically found elsewhere.
Hua Ji Bao Dang
Location: Bukit Merah View Market & Hawker Centre, 115 Bukit Merah View
Hours: Daily
Price range: Under $2
A family business since 1988 specializing in handmade bao under $2.
Must-tries:
- Char Siew Bao – Juicy, fragrant pork with soft, thin dough
- Siew Mai – Strong on seasoning and meat quality
What sets it apart: Decades of consistency from a family operation that proves tradition wins.
INNOVATIVE DIM SUM
Sum Dim Sum
Location: Jalan Besar
Hours: Tue-Fri varies, closed Mondays (except public holidays)
Price range: Mid-range
Established in 2019 as a father-son venture, with the son now serving as head chef continuing a treasured family recipe.
Signature dish:
- XL Prawn Dumplings – Bright blue color from butterfly pea flowers, making them Instagram-worthy
Perks: Air-conditioned dining, island-wide delivery with free shipping on orders over $100.
What Makes Great Hawker Dim Sum?
Freshness
The best stalls make everything daily from scratch, often starting preparation in the early morning hours. Many sell out by mid-morning, signaling quality and demand.
Pedigree
Several hawker stalls are run by chefs with prestigious backgrounds from five-star hotels and Michelin-starred restaurants, bringing professional techniques to affordable settings.
Hand-crafted Quality
Top stalls hand-roll each dumpling and hand-wrap each bao, refusing to compromise despite the labor-intensive process.
Value
Hawker dim sum ranges from $1.50 to $5 per portion, compared to casual restaurants at $5-$10 per dish and high-end establishments at $10-$20 or more.
Insider Tips for Hawker Dim Sum
- Timing is everything: Most stalls open early (6am-7am) and sell out by mid-morning or early afternoon. Weekend crowds are larger, so arrive early.
- Follow the queues: Long lines usually indicate quality and freshness. Fast turnover means you’re getting dim sum made that day.
- Start with classics: Try siew mai, har gow, and char siew bao first to gauge quality before exploring specialty items.
- Ask about specials: Weekend-only items like oblong lor mai kai are worth planning your visit around.
- Bring cash: Most hawker stalls are cash-only, though some now accept PayNow or GrabPay.
- Share and sample: Order multiple varieties to share so you can try more items without over-ordering.
The Verdict
Singapore’s hawker dim sum scene offers remarkable value and quality. While you won’t get the same ambiance as a restaurant, you’ll often get better food at a fraction of the price, prepared by chefs with decades of experience and genuine passion for their craft.
Whether you’re seeking the cheapest baskets at Kuai San Dian Xin ($1.50), the prestigious pedigree of Chef Lam Kun’s creations, or the innovative blue prawn dumplings at Sum Dim Sum, Singapore’s hawker centres deliver authentic Cantonese flavors that rival Hong Kong’s best.
The key is knowing where to go, when to arrive, and what to order. With this guide, you’re ready to explore Singapore’s vibrant hawker dim sum scene like a true local.
Note: Prices and operating hours are subject to change. Always verify before visiting.