Cassandra NervaMost people would associate dim sum in Singapore with Din Tai Fung and Tim Ho Wan. However, there are actually a plethora of options that not only offer delicious dim sum, but some of these places are as cheap as S$2! Therefore, you certainly won’t have to burn a hole in your wallet to get that dim sum craving satisfied.
From Tampines to Clementi, here are our top picks for some of the best affordable dim sum places in Singapore!
Dim sum places in Singapore from less than S$5
1. $1.30 Dim Sum
Image credit: $1.30 Dim Sum Official Facebook Page
Not only is this one of the cheapest dim sum places in Singapore, $1.30 Dim Sum is also a local favourite, with eight outlets across the island! Best of all, a majority of these stalls are open 24 hours a day, meaning you can even satisfy your cravings in the middle of the night.
Also read: 8 Fantastic Supper Places in the East of Singapore
Image credit: $1.30 Dim Sum Official Facebook Page
At just S$1.30 (obviously), there are a myriad of dishes for you to choose from. These include the classic dim sum options of siew mai, har gow, and dumplings, plus century egg porridge and steamed pork ribs. Most importantly, the quality is not skimped on either. So, feel free to order as much as you want!
Address and Opening hours:
- 116 Bukit Merah View #01-253, Singapore 151116: Daily, 6.30am to 9pm
- 233 Bukit Batok East Ave 5, Singapore 650233: 24 hours
- 123 Bedok North Street 2, Singapore 460123: 24 hours
- 555 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10, Singapore 560555: 24 hours
- 21 Woodlands Close, Primz Bizhub, Singapore 737854: 24 hours
- 878C Tampines Avenue 8, Singapore 520878: 24 hours
- 346A Kang Ching Road, Singapore 611346: Daily, 6am to 9pm
- 246 Hougang street 22, Singapore 530246: 24 hours
2. Fu Yuan Handmade Dim Sum
Image credit: Sgsohotleh via Google Maps
Tucked in a coffee shop in Clementi, Fu Yuan Handmade Dim Sum is known for their wide range of handmade dim sum. Apart from their traditional way of making dim sum, this local dim sum place in Singapore also boasts an old-school charm with its untouched menu of red stickers against a white plastic board. (We certainly don’t see many of these around anymore, right?)
Choose from their sweet and savoury options that are not only delicious, but are as affordable as S$2.20 per basket!
Address: 710 Clementi West Street 2, Singapore 120710
Opening hours: Daily, 5.30am to 5pm
Also read: 9 Things to Do in Singapore’s West Side That Prove It Isn’t as ‘Ulu’ as People Think
Dim sum places in Singapore at less than S$10
3. Swee Choon Tim Sum Restaurant
Image credit: Swee Choon Tim Sum Restaurant Official Facebook Page
Perhaps the best known affordable dim sum place in Singapore, Swee Choon Tim Sum Restaurant is no stranger to snaking queues. Now that they have opened a new outlet in Tampines, residents of the area can enjoy this local favourite dim sum spot without having to travel over to Jalan Besar.
Aside from their usual juicy, meat-filled siew mai and har gao, their custard baos, or liu sha baos, are one of their top sellers! Think oozing, warm custard that’s the perfect combination of sweet and creamy. (On that note, don’t be surprised if you end up ordering seconds.)
(L-R): Swee Choon Jalan Besar; Swee Choon Century Square | Image credit: Swee Choon Tim Sum Restaurant Official Facebook Page
While the original Jalan Besar outlet retains its classic interior that stands out for its neon billboard, the new Tampines outlet boasts a more modern interior of bright pastels and warm tones.
Address and Opening hours:
- 183-193 Jalan Besar, Singapore 208882: Daily, 11am to 2.30pm, 6pm to 2am
- 2 Tampines Central 5, Century Square, #01-01, Singapore 529509: Daily, 9am to 10pm
4. 126 Dim Sum Wen Dao Shi
Image credit: 126 Dim Sum Wen Dao Shi Official Website
Ask most Singaporeans where one of the best supper spots is, and one common answer you’d get is Geylang. Aside from the usual NSFW, non PG-13 notions of the area, Geylang is actually a foodie paradise, too! You can get affordable options from a range of cuisines; best of all, many of these shops are open 24 hours.
One such example is 126 Dim Sum Wen Dao Shi, a no-frills dim sum place in Singapore that serves traditional Hong Kong-style dim sum. Apart from the dim sum options, you can also order other zi char dishes like Chilli Crab, Crispy Pork Trotters, and Crispy Soft Shell Crab.
Address and Opening hours:
- 126 Sims Avenue, Singapore 387449: 24 hours
- 1086 Serangoon Road, Singapore 328187: Daily, 5pm to 2am
Dim sum places in Singapore at less than S$15
5. Mongkok Dim Sum
Another 24 hour Geylang dim sum spot is Mongkok Dim Sum, known for its affordable yet yummy dishes. Although peak hours can draw in long queues, their fast and efficient service will make your overall experience here pleasant.
Luckily, there are three other outlets across Singapore from the east to west, making this dim sum spot the perfect go-to for nearby residents! Although these other outlets aren’t open 24 hours, your dim sum cravings will be satisfied regardless.
Address and Opening hours:
- 214 Geylang Rd, Singapore 389274: 24 hours
- 197 East Coast Rd, Singapore 428901: Daily, 11am to 1am
- 8 Cheong Chin Nam Rd, Singapore 599733: Monday to Thursday, 12pm to 12am; Friday to Saturday, 11.30am to 12.30am; Sunday, 11am to 12am
- 906P Upper Thomson Rd, Singapore 787110: Monday, Wednesday to Saturday, 11am to 10pm; Sunday, 10.30am to 10pm
6. Victor’s Kitchen
Image credit: Victor’s Kitchen Official Facebook Page
Started by a Hong Kong-born chef, Victor’s Kitchen prides itself as an authentic and humble eatery. Think affordable and quality dim sum served in a kopitiam setting — that’s precisely what you can expect from this dim sum spot in Singapore!
Crowd favourites include the Golden Egg Yolk Lava Bun, the Polo Butter Bun, the Poached Sze-chuan Dumpling in Spicy Sauce, and the Xiao Long Bao.
Address and Opening hours:
- 91 Bencoolen St, #01-49 Sunshine Plaza, Singapore 189652: Monday to Thursday, Sunday, 10.30am to 8pm, Friday to Saturday, 10.30am to 9pm
- 133 New Bridge Rd, #B1-33 Chinatown Point, Singapore 059413: Daily, 10.30am to 9pm
Dim sum places in Singapore at less than S$20
7. Dim Sum Haus SG
Image credit: Dim Sum Haus SG Restaurant Official Facebook Page
Think fast service, quality food, and Insta-worthy interiors: that is precisely what Dim Sum Haus SG offers! Despite their slightly higher price tag than coffee shops, you can still expect to spend less than S$20 overall. Besides, their string of excellent reviews just goes to show that what you find here is truly value for money!
Image credit: Dim Sum Haus SG Restaurant Official Facebook Page
If you love juicy and flavourful prawns, you’ll be happy to know that this dim sum place in Singapore provides exactly that. Order any prawn-based dishes and you’ll surely leave a satisfied customer!
Address: 57 Jalan Besar, Singapore 208809
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 10.30am to 3pm, 5.30pm to 10.30pm; Saturday, 9.30am to 10.30pm; Sunday, 9.30am to 9.30pm
8. Sum Dim Sum
Image credit: Sum Dim Sum Official Facebook Page
If you’re up for Insta-worthy interiors and quality food, plan a brunch at Sum Dim Sum! This dim sum place in Singapore is the cheaper alternative to Tim Ho Wan. Likewise, Sum Dim Sum’s most famous dish is the Signature Crispy Pork Bun, filled with juicy charsiew and topped with a pandan, buttery golden crust!
Image credit: Sum Dim Sum Official Facebook Page
Thanks to its bright blue exterior, this dim sum spot in Singapore is easy to spot along Jalan Besar. Furthermore, their two-floor interior boasts a modern flair with pops of blue, giving you a picturesque dining experience.
Address: 161 Jalan Besar, Singapore 208876
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday, 11.30am to 3pm, 5pm to 11pm; Friday, 11.30am to 3pm, 5pm to 11.30pm; Saturday, 10.30am to 3pm, 5pm to 11.30pm; Sunday, 10.30am to 3pm, 5pm to 10.30pm
And there you go — eight dim sum places in Singapore that range from crazy affordable to S$20. Beyond the usual dim sum restaurants that we frequent, isn’t dining out all about enjoying the diverse options available in Singapore? Therefore, it only takes an adventurous foodie to discover the amazing culinary scene we have here.
