Where To Try Dim Sum In Ipoh – Local Recommendations Too
If you can wake up early for it, there are some great opportunities to have your fill of dim sum in Ipoh.
And if you can’t beat the morning crowds, there are eateries that stay open for lunch too.
See from this list what the locals prefer, and which are the most famous restaurants when it comes to dim sum.
Chooi Yue Dim Sum
Many locals are aware of this restaurant. It is in Ipoh Garden South which is a busy area with many eateries and tuition centers. Good parking spots are a rarity here especially whenever this dim sum eatery is open.
Note: You don’t want to choose any illegal parking spots here as the parking enforcement officers are very active in this area.
Most of the dim sum we’ve tried at Chooi Yue Dim Sum is tasty. Prices are high but the dim sum fillings are not stingy. We particularly like their prawn dim sum and their salted egg yolk lava paus.
The dining environment is attractive. Other highlights of dining here are the air conditioning and coffee.
If you want to come here on a public holiday or weekend, beware. It is a choice of waking up early for more parking opportunities but less dim sum variety. Or waiting up to an hour standing in line to beat the breakfast crowd (peaks at 9am).
Read more about our experience (and see more photos) of Chooi Yue Dim Sum.
Opening hours: 7am to 1pm every day except Thursday
Canning Dim Sum
Canning Dim Sum is hard to ignore if you’re in Canning Garden. Their decorative garden in the front is always dressed up appropriately for any ongoing festival. It is great for taking photos with friends and family.
That aside, you can enjoy halal dim sum and coffee in a comfortable and air-conditioned restaurant!
Their pork free dim sum is tasty albeit a little sweet for our liking. So are the drinks so be sure to specify if you want less sugar in yours.
This area too, is highly congested during breakfast and lunch hours so avoid these peak hours or prepare to struggle with finding parking.
Opening hours: 7:30am to 3:30pm every day except Wednesday
Dimsum Paradise
While it can be crowded and noisy in the morning, Dimsum Paradise is still popular. We think the main draw for many here is the beautiful, air-conditioned interior of the restaurant.
Note: They lack seating for groups bigger than 8 pax.
This is not our first choice for a local dim sum restaurant, but parking is usually available. And you won’t have to queue to get into this eatery unlike with the first two options in this list.
But the food is expensive, and just average tasting in our opinion. Classic dim sum dishes like their char siew pao, siew mai, and prawn dumplings are worth ordering.
Service is speedy and the wait staff is attentive.
Opening hours: 6:45am–2:30pm daily
Ming Court Hong Kong Dim Sum
Ming Court Hong Kong Dim Sum Sdn Bhd has been famous for many years and still draws big crowds. Despite how busy they are, they can keep up with the breakfast crowds.
We think the efficient service here is the biggest advantage of dining here. They have many staff as well as a supervisor to manage the chaos.
Sure, food is a little pricey considering the portions you get. But the dim sum is generally good, and the eatery is fully air-conditioned too.
Our favorite dishes are the black sesame soup, siew mai, char siew pao, wu gok, and loh mai gai (glutinous rice).
Go before 9am if you don’t want to have to queue or look very hard for parking.
Opening hours: 6am to 2pm except on Thursday
Restoran Zui Le Xuan Dim Sum
You’ll still have to go early to beat the local weekend crowd for this family-favorite breakfast spot! But the prices are affordable, portions are more generous than at other restaurants, and the food is delicious.
Har gow, wu gok (deep fried yam), and egg tarts are our favorites here.
As far as dining ambiance goes though, this is a no-frills sort of place. You won’t have the luxury of air-conditioning here.
There are big tables with little walking room between them, plastic chairs and a large dim sum cart being pushed around.
Opening hours: 7am to 1pm daily except for Tuesday
Conclusion
If it was not so far from our neighborhood, we’d go with Restoran Zui Le Xuan Dim Sum as our top choice for dim sum in Ipoh.
Otherwise, Ming Court Hong Kong Dim Sum Sdn Bhd still lives up to its reputation. We really appreciate the fast service we get here. The food is not bad either even if portions are small.
Chooi Yue Dim Sum is also reliable if you want to have dim sum in a place with air conditioning and coffee on the menu.
Other Breakfast Spots To Try In Ipoh
Dim sum is not the only option for breakfast in Ipoh. We recommend that you try at least one of these local spots while you’re in Ipoh.
Where To Find Authentic Ipoh White Coffee
Coffee addicts don’t have to give up their daily morning coffee for dim sum. There are plenty of other places that serve coffee around Ipoh. See our list of suggestions!
Must-Try Ipoh Food
We would suggest saving dim sum for when you have already tried these famous Ipoh dishes. More so, if you’ve never tried things like kai se hor fun or tau foo fah before!