Best Dim Sum in Penang - My Top 10 Must Try Picks
When it comes to the best dim sum in Penang, I’ve colonized carts, tea houses, and cafes from early morning until late afternoon. After sampling nearly every basket at these spots, here are my Top 10 Picks—complete with in‑depth taste tests, cozy vibes, and menu must‑tries. Let’s yum cha!
🌟Tai Tong Restaurant
Walking into Tai Tong feels like stepping into a dim sum time machine. Elderly ladies push trolleys laden with bamboo steamers. I’ve made three pilgrimages here, polishing off baskets of har gow, siu mai, and char siew pao. Each prawn dumpling burst with ocean‑fresh sweetness. Meanwhile, the BBQ pork bun’s dough stayed pillowy soft under its caramelized top. Between sips of hot tea, I even devoured their claypot noodles. Service moves at a heritage pace—gentle, unhurried, and absolutely charming.
Location: 45, Lebuh Cintra, George Town, 10100 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Price range: RM 20-40
Menu Highlights:
Har Gow: Translucent skin, plump prawn.
Char Siew Pao: Soft shell, sticky‑sweet pork.
Lo Mai Kai: Lotus‑leaf rice, fragrant mushrooms.
🌟Fu Er Dai (富二代)
Fu Er Dai draws crowds with its exploding salted‑egg custard bun. I timed two visits—once at 8 AM, again at noon—to taste nearly everything. The custard bun’s molten yolk oozed lava‑bright gold. Next, the Chee Cheong Fun wrapped fresh grouper slices in silky rice rolls. Even their homemade tea‑smoked duck bun surprised me with its subtle smokiness. The open‑air tent gets warm, so bring a fan or embrace the heat!
Location: 7, Jln Sultan Ahmad Shah, George Town, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Price Range: RM 20-40
Menu Highlights:
Salted‑Egg Custard Bun: Liquid‑gold lava center.
Grouper Rice Roll: Silky roll, ocean‑fresh fish.
Duck Smoke Bun: Aromatic, tender filling.
🌟Yong Pin Restaurant @榕槟茶楼
Yong Pin feels like your favorite neighborhood cha chaan teng. Over two long brunches, I ticked off every tray—pan‑fried carrot cake, crystal shrimp dumplings, and egg‑tart desserts. The radish cake came out piping hot, its edges crackling under my fork. Moreover, the shrimp dumplings retained a perfect chew. Staff refill your pot without prompting. The no‑frills setting keeps the focus on flavor.
Location: 59A, Lebuh Kimberley, George Town, 10100 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Price Range: RM 20-40
Menu Highlights:
Pan‑Fried Carrot Cake: Crispy edge, velvety core.
Crystal Shrimp Dumplings: Bouncy prawn, thin skin.
Egg Tart: Flaky shell, creamy custard.
🌟Bao Teck Tea House
Bao Teck sits in a heritage shophouse with mottled tiles and antique fans. I’ve savored their premium dim sum over three visits—X.O. scallop shumai, charcoal custard buns, and foie gras xiao long bao. The scallop shumai’s umami note lingered long after I finished. Meanwhile, the charcoal buns revealed a smoky‑sweet custard. The room hums with soft Cantonese pop.
Location: 25, Lebuh Melayu, George Town, 10100 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Price Range: RM ….
Menu Highlights:
X.O. Scallop Shumai: Briny scallop, silky wrapper.
Charcoal Custard Bun: Smoky shell, molten core.
Foie Gras Xiaolongbao: Luxurious broth, tender dough.
🌟Hong Xing No. 1 Dim Sum Restaurant
Hong Xing skips carts and cooks to order. On my visits, the kitchen fired up dumplings only after I ordered. The har gow wrapped plump prawns in springy skins. Plus, the chee cheong fun hand‑rolled right at the counter. I left with a growling stomach and an extra box of their signature fish‑paste rolls. Service runs like clockwork here.
Location: 10-A-07 & 08, Precinct, 10, Jln Tanjung Tokong Lama, Seri Tanjung Pinang, 10470 Tanjung Tokong, Penang
Price Range: RM 20-40
Service options: Cash only · Outdoor seating · Wi-Fi
Menu Highlights:
Cook‑to‑Order Har Gow: Fresh prawn, perfect chew.
Hand‑Rolled Rice Rolls: Silky, filled to the brim.
Fish‑Paste Roll: Light, umami‑rich filling.
🌟Dim Sum Station
Dim Sum Station’s mall setting surprised me with quality. Over two sessions, I mapped out their menu—from sesame prawn toast to truffle chicken buns. The prawn toast stayed crisp even on the ride home. Moreover, the truffle chicken bun exuded a gentle earthiness. Tea comes in cute glass pots. It’s a solid dim sum stop between shopping trips.
Location: 5-G, Persiaran Mahsuri 2/3, Bandar Bayan Baru, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang | Located in: The Promenade
Price Range: RM 20-40
Menu Highlights:
Sesame Prawn Toast: Crunchy, savory pop.
Truffle Chicken Bun: Luxurious aroma, soft dough.
Crispy Spring Roll: Golden shell, juicy veg.
🌟Lhong Tou Dim Sum Siew Mai
Lhong Tou specializes in its signature siew mai—pork‑free yet packed with prawn sweetness. Across two visits, I cleared four plates of it. The wrapper stayed intact under steam, while the filling stayed juicy. Plus, their yam puffs boasted multiple flaky layers. Staff chatted warmly as they served. Don’t leave without their mango pudding.
Location: 11, Jalan Pasar, Pulau Tikus, 10350 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Price Range: RM 40-60 | Reservations: Lhong Tou Dim Sum
Menu Highlights:
Signature Siew Mai: Juicy prawn‑packed bite.
Yam Puff: Flaky layers, savory yam.
Mango Pudding: Refreshing, just‑sweet.
🌟Red Tea House Dim Sum
Red Tea House sits near the waterfront, offering breezy sea views. I perched by the window and dove into their tea‑infused dumplings and curry puffs. The curry puff’s crust stayed crisp, its filling warm and fragrant. Also, the crystal shrimp dumplings arrived glistening under house lights. Service felt like catching up with an old friend.
Location: 92A, Lbh Sungai Pinang 1, Georgetown, 11600 Jelutong, Pulau Pinang
Price Range: RM 20-40
Menu Highlights:
Curry Puff: Flaky crust, spicy‑sweet potato.
Crystal Shrimp Dumpling: Pristine wrapper, tender prawn.
Tea‑Infused Dumpling: Subtle tea aroma.
🌟Northam Dimsum Breakfast
Despite the no‑frills setting, Mun Ting Siang impressed me with its speedy service. Within minutes of ordering, bamboo baskets piled high at my table. I made two full rounds: pan‑fried radish cake, Shanghai soup dumplings, pork buns, you name it. The soup dumplings spilled broth so rich I swallowed it before tasting the meat. Meanwhile, the pork buns showcased a soft, buttery dough hugging a deeply savory filling.
Location: 58, Jln Sultan Ahmad Shah, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Price Range: RM 20-40
Menu Highlights:
Fried Turnip Cake: Crispy edge, soft inside.
Steamed Pork Bun: Juicy, soup‑filled center.
Chee Cheong Fun: Smooth rice roll, sweet soy.
🌟We Toast Cafe
We Toast Cafe surprised me by pairing Western fare with dim sum. I tried their char siew bao alongside avocado toast—both held their own. The bao stayed steamy soft, filled with sticky‑sweet pork. Meanwhile, their pandan kaya roll offered a fragrant finish. The café vibe makes it perfect for a mixed‑cuisine brunch.
Location: 1-G-12A, Suntech @ Penang Cybercity, Lintang Mayang Pasir 3, Bandar Bayan Baru, 11950 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang
Price Range: RM 20-40
Menu Highlights:
Char Siew Bao: Pillowy dough, rich pork.
Pandan Kaya Roll: Fragrant, sweet spread.
Mini Egg Tart: Buttery shell, silky center.
Must‑Know Tips for Enjoying Best Dim Sum in Penang
Beat the Rush: Arrive by 8 AM to score cart‑style seats at Tai Tong and Northam.
Share & Swap: Order small plates of different dishes. Then, mix and match with friends.
Tea Makes a Difference: Jasmine refreshes; pu‑erh cuts grease. Ask for hot‑water top‑ups.
Venture Off‑Menu: Many chefs hide specials—seasonal truffle siu mai or dragon‑fruit dumplings often appear without warning.
Did I miss your favorite Penang dim sum gem? Drop your recs below and keep the yum cha spirit alive! or check out all others Dim Sum places in Malaysia.
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Happy dim sum hunting!
