Dim sum is a style of Chinese cuisine that consists of various bite-sized dishes eaten during the afternoon, usually enjoyed with some tea. Dim sum’s widespread popularity in the culinary world has reached Vietnam, and there are many restaurants in Saigon that offer it. Here are some of the best places:
Ocean Palace
Ocean Palace serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but is most favored for their dim sum which is served during the afternoon. Popular dishes range from roasted Beijing duck and baked BBQ pork pastries glazed with honey, to deep fried sesame dumplings with lotus paste for dessert. Straying away from typical Chinese decorations, Ocean Palace’s interior design is fairly simple yet very extravagant with large tables to accommodate eager customers. Reservations are almost always required as, even with two floors to seat customers, they are always packed with people. Being extremely spacious, it is notably a great place to plan private events as the upper floor is secluded away from the vivid atmosphere downstairs.
Reservations are almost always required as, even with two floors to seat customers, they are always packed with people. Being extremely spacious, it is notably a great place to plan private events as the upper floor is secluded away from the vivid atmosphere downstairs.
Location: 2 Le Duan, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
San Fu Lou
San Fu Lou was curated out of fascination for Cantonese cuisine as well as passion for quality cooking with an emphasis on hygiene. Well-renowned chef Asif Mehrudeen and hospitality expertise Raymond opened the first of many San Fu Lous in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. San Fu Lou is otherwise known as The House of Three Blessings, prioritizing three factors in their culinary establishment: taste, health, and hygiene. Their restaurants combine the traditional impression of a Chinese kitchen, with an Oriental contemporary perspective in order to shape the unique ambiance of San Fu Lou, a reflection of the two owners who come from different cultural backgrounds. San Fu Lou is also the first Chinese restaurant in Vietnam with a show kitchen, an interesting element that allows customers to catch a glimpse of the process behind making the food. Customers can feast on signature Chinese dishes such as pork and prawn wonton, duck black truffle dumplings, crispy
San Fu Lou is also the first Chinese restaurant in Vietnam with a show kitchen, an interesting element that allows customers to catch a glimpse of the process behind making the food. Customers can feast on signature Chinese dishes such as pork and prawn wonton, duck black truffle dumplings, crispy garoupa in sweet and sour sauce, and much more. San Fu Lou is a traditional cuisine set in an environment with a modern twist.
Locations: Ground Floor, AB Tower, 76A Le Lai, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City | 195-197 Phan Xich Long, District Phu Nhuan, Ho Chi Minh City | 24 Ba Thang Hai, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City
Shang Palace
Shang Palace is well renowned for its dim sum as its well as seafood. Consisting of simple, classic and elegant decorations, the restaurant has a warm atmosphere that is befitting for intimate dinners or large parties that can be seated in one of their nine private VIP rooms. Shang Palace boasts of as many as 50 dim sum dishes on their menu, as well as over 200 other items to try. Some of their signature dishes are
Shang Palace boasts of as many as 50 dim sum dishes on their menu, as well as over 200 other items to try. Some of their signature dishes are smoked duck with jasmine tea leaves, deep fried mantis prawn, and chilled cream of sago with mango and ice cream. Shang Palace is capable of seating over 300 customers and is an ideal place to experience delectable Cantonese and Hong Kong cuisine.
Location: 17-19-21 Ly Tu Trong, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Cat Tuong
Cat Tuong opened in 2001 and has served traditional Chinese cuisine ever since. “Cat Tuong” is a sino-Vietnamese phrase commonly used during Chinese New Year to wish others good luck with the hope that all in their life goes well. To build upon the theme of luck, the dominant color scheme of the restaurant’s design is red, as red symbolizes good luck in Chinese culture. Furthermore, Cat Tuong restaurant is spacious, and customers can be seated outdoors or indoors. They serve a wide range of dishes, with over 300 breakfast items alone. Dim sum is most popular there, serving well-known dishes such as classic shrimp dumplings, shumai dumplings, chicken feet, and more. Cat Tuong is also highly acclaimed for having several tea options that are iconic to Chinese cuisine. As a result, many Chinese-Vietnamese families often gather at Cat Tuong on weekends or holidays to enjoy traditional foods and tea that often bring back nostalgic memories.
Cat Tuong is also highly acclaimed for having several tea options that are iconic to Chinese cuisine. As a result, many Chinese-Vietnamese families often gather at Cat Tuong on weekends or holidays to enjoy traditional foods and tea that often bring back nostalgic memories.
Location: 105 Tran Hung Dao, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City
Dim Tu Tac
Dim Tu Tac offers a unique variety of dishes that can’t be found in any other Chinese restaurant in Saigon, such as their deep fried chicken wings stuffed with glutinous rice. For dim sum, there are many items to choose from, such as deep fried beancurd skin rolls with shrimp, radish pastries, steamed BBQ pork buns, and more. Dim Tu Tac prioritizes their choice of condiments in their cooking, focusing on the small details of each dish that may not be taken into consideration by other places, in order to bring about the best possible dining experience for their guests. Dim Tu Tac is a sophisticated, modern, and cozy restaurant that strives to deliver a different culinary experience for all.
Dim Tu Tac prioritizes their choice of condiments in their cooking, focusing on the small details of each dish that may not be taken into consideration by other places, in order to bring about the best possible dining experience for their guests. Dim Tu Tac is a sophisticated, modern, and cozy restaurant that strives to deliver a different culinary experience for all.
Locations: 5 Nguyen Tat Thanh, District 4, Ho Chi Minh City | Level 2, 202 Hoang Van Thu, District Phu Nhuan, Ho Chi Minh City | 29B Tran Hung Dao, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City | 16A Le Hong Phong, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City