7 Dim Sum Spots in Penang So Good, You’ll Come Back for More
Penang is one of those places that I can genuinely describe as a foodie’s paradise. I know you’re tired of hearing about this in brochures and whatnot, but the island is truly a melting pot of cultures and it especially shines when it comes to dim sum.
As a long-time visitor to Penang (and a former resident), I’ve dabbled in my fair share of dim sum restaurants on the island to separate the great ones from the rest—hence this list! Whether it be bustling hawker stalls or world-class restaurants in George Town, we’ve got you covered.
So without further ado, here are some of the best spots to get amazing dim sum in Penang. Oh, and we’ve also included some handy tips—you’re welcome!
Tai Tong Restaurant
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Address: 45, Lebuh Cintra
Contact details: +60 16-774 6625
Operating hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 6:30 AM to 1:30 PM, 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Cost: $
Tai Tong Restaurant should be on your list if you’re looking for the quintessential no-frills dining. It doesn’t feature any fancy decor, or air conditioning and their chairs are mostly made out of plastic, but hey, that’s part of the experience!
The restaurant also features a pushcart at its entrance, which also displays its wide selection of dim sum. Among this selection is their variety of baos, which are filled with fillings such as BBQ pork, pandan and red bean.
You can’t go wrong with any of them, but we highly recommend starting with their bestseller, especially if it’s your first time. In this case, it’s the salted egg bun, which is a bao/custard filled to the brim with salted egg yolk.
Pro tip:
While you’re here, you can cross the street and check out Penang’s Chinatown. You’ll find more cheap eats as well as local crafts here!
Dim Sum Station
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Address: 5-G, Persiaran Mahsuri 2/3
Contact details: +60 11-5977 5299
Operating hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Cost: $$
Dim Sum Station couldn’t have picked a more fitting name, as they’re one of the best places to go to for all your dim sum needs. We’re not exaggerating when we say that this restaurant may feature one of the most diversified selections of dim sum in Penang.
Whether you’re looking for traditional dumplings or innovative xiao lang baos, you can expect to find them here! One of our favourite things to order here is the prawn dumpling just because of how juicy the shrimp is and how it’s wrapped in delicious and soft dough.
Also, we love dining here because of the overall posh ambience and its addition of air-conditioning units. I know we said earlier that no AC is superior when it comes to authenticity, but sometimes, you have to prioritize comfort too!
Pro tip:
If you’re looking to end your meal on a sweet note, we highly recommend ordering their mango pudding! If it’s sold out, the next best thing you can get is the egg tart.
Tho Yuen Restaurant
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Address: 92 Campbell Street Georgetown
Contact details: +60 4-261 4672
Operating hours: Wednesday to Monday: 6:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Cost: $$
Tho Yuen Restaurant offers a nostalgic and traditional dining experience, as it takes on the look of your typical Chinese eatery in George Town. Don’t be fooled though, as this unassuming restaurant has snagged a Michelin Bib Gourmand—pretty impressive!
The secret lies in the food itself, of course, as they serve some of the best and most authentic Chinese and Taiwanese favourites you could think of. This includes their freshly made dim sum, which is served in their pushcart, adding more authenticity to their patrons’ dining experience.
Their dim sum is so good that there are instances when they’ll be sold out! Not to worry though, as there are plenty of other Chinese classics that you can help yourself to here including their famous bee hon and fried noodles.
Pro tip:
If you want to wash away the flavours lingering in your mouth after a hearty meal, you can head to the next-door ice cream parlour, Hema Hema Ice Cream! You can find an assortment of ice cream flavours here ranging from artisanal matcha to plain old vanilla.
Yong Pin Restaurant
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Address: 59A, Lebuh Kimberley
Contact details: +60 16-430 6789
Operating hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 6:30 AM to 2:30 PM
Cost: $
Real OGs of Penang will immediately answer Yong Pin Restaurant when you ask them where the best dim sum in Penang is, and we can’t blame them! For starters, it’s located in the heart of George Town, so it’s pretty hard to miss—plus, it features an alluring facade.
Upon entering this spot, you’ll be met with a bustling ambience, as it’s almost always packed, as well as the fragrance of dishes being cooked from their kitchen. Spoiler alert: this alluring smell is coming from their wide array of dim sum.
There’s no wrong choice when ordering from their menu, but the one flavour you MUST try while you’re here is their pork bao. You may have to visit extra early to get them though, as they can get sold out quickly!
Pro tip:
Make sure to stop by the Upside Down Museum located just next door to Yong Pin Restaurant! It’s here that you can take wacky photos with your loved ones with mind-boggling backgrounds and props.
Canning Dim Sum Restaurant
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Address: 70-1-60, D’Piazza Mall
Contact details: +60 10-960 6180
Operating hours: Thursday to Tuesday: 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM
Cost: $$
Canning Dim Sum Restaurant isn’t just one of the best dim sum spots in the city, but it’s also among the most amazing halal-friendly places! Furthermore, its wide selection of dishes from noodles to buns and shu mai, make this restaurant one of the best go-to spots for Asian grub.
We first want to focus on their xiao long bao selection, as they feature one of the most impressive selections we’ve seen. They offer this dim sum in both savoury and sweet flavours, but I think my favourite is the latter, more particularly, their oozing lava pandan bao.
If you’re looking to sink your teeth into something more savoury, then you should definitely try their crystal shrimp dumpling! Everything about this dish is perfect, from the mild sweetness of the white meat to the soft and delicate wrapper.
Pro tip:
If you want to elevate your dining experience, we highly recommend pairing your order with a side of stir-fried rice! This is a game changer and it does a great job of dampening the overbearing taste of meat and seafood in the long run.
Restoran Chaw Choon Dim Sum
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Address: Jalan Ong Yi How, Lucky Park
Contact details: +60 4-333 0779
Operating hours: Thursday to Tuesday: 6:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Cost: $
If you’re a dim sum enthusiast like me, then Restoran Chaw Choon should be on your list of must-visit places in Penang! Not only do they cook some delicious and authentic dim sum, but they also offer them at affordable prices.
Whether you’re looking for a classic steamed bun or savoury shu mai, this restaurant is guaranteed to offer something for every palate.
Their dim sum selection is barely scratching the surface of what they have to offer too, as they also feature other fantastic dishes. These include their famous steamed pork ribs, deep-fried seaweed rolls and crispy spring rolls.
Pro tip:
Be sure to visit before or after lunch hours to avoid crowdedness, as the store isn’t that big and it can get packed in a snap from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM.
Fu Er Dai
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Address: 7, Jln Sultan Ahmad Shah
Contact details: +60 4-251 9289
Operating hours: Daily from 6:30 AM to 2:00 PM
Cost: $
Featuring a fully outdoor dining area, Fu Er Dai will leave you feeling like a local getting dim sum from pushcarts. With their wide variety of dim sum, I could honestly say that this experience is the foodie’s equivalent to a kid in a candy shop.
They offer just about everything, from classic shu mai to steamed salted egg buns, veggie dumplings and anything in between. If you love to be adventurous though, we highly recommend ordering their chicken feet.
The best part about this is that you can get as many flavours as you desire since their price point doesn’t break the bank.
Pro tip:
While you’re here, be sure to stop by the nearby attraction, Padang Kota Lama (Esplanade). It’s one of the most beautiful parks in the city and it’s the best spot to admire the glistening sea from.