Best Dim Sum in Melaka | My Top 10 Picks
Ipoh may be famed for its white coffee and kaya puffs, but its dim sum scene is a hidden treasure waiting to be uncovered. Over early mornings (and a few late lunches), I’ve chased carts and checked into tea houses from Taman Canning to Jalan Leong Sin Nam. I’ve tasted everything from dainty har gow to hefty char siew pao, inhaling clouds of steam and sharing tables with eager locals. In this guide, you’ll find my Top 10 Picks for the best dim sum in Ipoh—each spot rigorously taste-tested, with deep-dive notes on flavor, texture, and ambiance. Ready for a yum cha odyssey? Strap in and let’s go!
🌟 Foh San Dim Sum Restaurant
Foh San is the granddaddy of Ipoh dim sum. I arrived before 7 AM to snag a seat, then spent three visits working through over 40 items. The supreme shrimp dumplings (A1) pop with ocean-fresh sweetness, while the bean curd skin rolls reveal tender pork drenched in sweet-sour sauce. I even braved their deep-fried “hot & spicy pau,” whose crackling crust lights up your palate. The massive two-level dining hall buzzes with trolleys and chatter—perfect for that authentic cart-style dim sum Ipoh experience.
Location: 51, Jalan Leong Sin Nam, Kampung Jawa, 30300 Ipoh, Perak
Price range: RM 20-40
Menu Highlights:
Supreme Shrimp Dumplings (A1): Juicy prawn, thin wrapper.
Bean Curd Skin Rolls: Soft rolls, tangy sauce.
Deep-Fried Hot & Spicy Pau: Crispy, chili-kick filling.
🌟Ming Court Hong Kong Tim Sum
Just opposite Foh San sits Ming Court—a queue-worthy treasure. Bite-sized here means you can sample more: foie gras xiao long bao that oozes buttery broth, and rustic siew mai with ruched edges and savory pork. On my first visit, I ordered 25 plates for two—each morsel disappearing before I could snap a photo. Service is brisk, and the tiny plates keep coming until you wave them off.
Location: 32, 34, 36, Jalan Leong Sin Nam, 30300 Ipoh, Perak
Price Range: RM 20-40
Menu Highlights:
Foie Gras Xiao Long Bao: Silky broth, melt-in-your-mouth shell.
Rustic Siew Mai: Minced pork, delicate pleats.
Pan-Fried Carrot Cake: Crispy edge, tender center.
🌟Yuk Sou Hin (Weil Hotel)
In Yuk Sou Hin’s elegant dining room, dim sum feels luxurious yet unpretentious. Helmed by a Hong Kong chef, each baked snowskin bun arrives warm, crumbly, and stuffed with BBQ chicken. I loved their crab-meat dumplings—crystal skins framing sweet crab and prawn. Over two elegant brunches, I also dived into chicken xiao long bao, where the broth-filled parcels stole the show with every steamy slurp.
Location: 292, Jalan Sultan Idris Shah, 30000 Ipoh, Perak | Located in: WEIL Hotel
Price Range: RM ….?
Menu Highlights:
Baked Snowskin Bun (BBQ Chicken): Crusty skin, savory filling.
Steamed Crab-Meat Dumplings: Delicate wrapper, sweet seafood.
Chicken Xiao Long Bao: Broth-bursting, tender meat.
🌟Greentown Dimsum Cafe
This unassuming café won me over with its affordable dim sum in Ipoh. Over a lazy Saturday, I tried their steamed prawn spring rolls, which stayed crisp through the last bite, and the yam puffs—flaky exteriors yielding to subtle, savory yam. Their oolong tea arrives in cheerful pots, and the friendly staff refill without asking.
Location: 10, Persiaran Greentown 4, Pusat Perdagangan Greentown, 30450 Ipoh, Perak
Price Range: RM 20-40
Menu Highlights:
Prawn Spring Roll: Crunchy, juicy pop.
Yam Puff: Multi-layered, savory-sweet harmony.
Steamed Siew Mai: Pork-and-prawn combo.
🌟Zui Le Xuan Dim Sum
Tucked down a quiet lane, Zui Le Xuan dazzled me with molten lava buns whose custard flooded my chopsticks. I also devoured baskets of har gow so fresh the skin glistened like morning dew. On my second trip, I tasted their water chestnut cakes—chewy gems that balanced sweetness with crisp spring water chestnut bits.
Location: 28, Off, Jalan Ng Seong Teik, Taman Pertama, 30100 Ipoh, Perak
Price Range: RM 20-40
Menu Highlights:
Charcoal Lava Custard Bun: Smoky shell, molten core.
Har Gow: Translucent, bursting prawn.
Water Chestnut Cake: Chewy, nutty crunch.
🌟Chooi Yue Dim Sum Restaurant
Chooi Yue’s spacious dining room is air-conditioned heaven on a humid Ipoh morning. I raced through their truffle mushroom dumplings, whose earthy aroma wafted even before arrival. The steamed pau were pillow-soft, filled with silky char siew. Their multi-page dim sum menu meant I spent two sessions sampling everything from scallop shumai to custard tarts.
Location: 2, 4 & 6, Tingkat Taman Ipoh 12, Taman Ipoh Selatan, 31400 Ipoh, Perak
Price Range: RM 20-40 | Service options: Outdoor seating · Doesn’t accept reservations · High chairs
Menu Highlights:
Truffle Mushroom Dumpling: Fragrant, tender.
Char Siew Pau: Fluffy, savory pork core.
Scallop Shumai: Briny scallop, silky wrap.
🌟Yum Cha House Dim Sum
At Yum Cha House, the stalls line up like a carnival. I arrived hungry and left stuffed after trying pan-fried carrot cake, stuffed bean curd rolls, and mini xiao long bao that rival even hotel-grade versions. Tea is self-service, letting you brew as much jasmine or pu-erh as you like.
Service options: Outdoor seating · High chairs
Location: 79A, Jalan C.M. Yusuff, 30250 Ipoh, Perak
Price Range: RM 20-40
Menu Highlights:
Pan-Fried Carrot Cake: Golden-brown crisp.
Stuffed Bean Curd Roll: Soft roll, savory filling.
Mini Xiao Long Bao: Tiny, broth-filled.
🌟Ming Xuan Dim Sum
Ming Xuan keeps it simple and delicious. Over two breakfast runs, I ticked off steamed pork ribs, fish-paste rolls, and custard buns whose lava center stretched like hot honey. The communal tables fill fast, so come before 8 AM to snag a spot.
Location: 47, Jalan Medan Ipoh 4, Taman Ipoh Timur, 31400 Ipoh, Perak
Price Range: RM 20-40
Menu Highlights:
Steamed Pork Ribs: Tender, umami-rich.
Fish-Paste Roll: Light, silky.
Custard Bun: Sweet, molten core.
🌟Hong Xing Dim Sum Restaurant
Hong Xing’s friendly staff greeted me like family. Their beancurd skin rolls were pillowy and drenched in house chili oil. I savored egg custard tarts whose buttery shells flaked in my mouth, and har gow that struck the perfect chew-to-snap ratio.
Location: No.35 & 37, Jalan Bercham Bistari 3, Medan Bercham Bestari, Bercham, 31400 Ipoh, Perak
Price Range: RM 20-40
Menu Highlights:
Beancurd Skin Roll: Soft roll, spicy kick.
Egg Custard Tart: Flaky shell, creamy custard.
Har Gow: Juicy prawn, perfect texture.
🌟Restoran Nam Heong Coffee Shop
No dim sum tour is complete without Nam Heong’s famous white coffee. I paired their mini char siew bao with a cup of frothy brew, then dove into chee cheong fun drizzled with sweet soy. The crispy curry puffs provided a spicy contrast, making this coffee-shop combo uniquely Ipoh.
Location: 2, Jalan Bandar Timah, 30000 Ipoh, Perak
Menu Highlights:
Mini Char Siew Bao: Bite-sized, porky sweet.
Chee Cheong Fun: Silky rolls, savory soy.
Crispy Curry Puff: Spicy potato filling.
Must-Know Tips for Enjoying Best Dim Sum in Ipoh
Go Early: Most dim sum restaurants fire up steamers by 6:30–7 AM. Arrive before 8 AM to beat queues.
Share & Sample: Order small plates of 4–5 items per person, then swap. You’ll taste more that way.
Pair It Right: Jasmine tea refreshes; pu-erh cuts through richness. Ask for hot-water top-ups.
Be Adventurous: Off-menu specials—truffle dumplings or seasonal buns—often pop up. Ask your server!
Did I miss your favorite Ipoh dim sum gem? Drop your recommendations below, and let the yum cha spirit continue! Check out other Dim Sum Places in Malaysia.
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Happy dim sum hunting!
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