There are many reviews on the best dim sum places in Singapore but few actually state their research methodology. Hence, when I wanted to find out which restaurants serve the nicest steamed Char Siew Bao, I decided to do a more comprehensive research. Although the craze now is all on the Baked Char Siew Bao from a certain Hong Kong joint, I still prefer the traditionally steamed version. To do my research, I went to  most of the famous  restaurants and completed tasting within three weeks.  This helps me in remembering the taste and benchmarking the Char Siew Baos. I hope you will find this review useful and know what to order if you happen to be in one of the reviewed restaurants.

Bon appetit!

Winner: Cassia, Capella Singapore

Indisputably the best steamed Char Siew Bao in town, Cassia’s Steamed Barbequed US Kurobuta Pork Bun with Black Truffle is packed with unforgettable flavor and aroma.  The steamed dough is soft and fluffy, and the perfumed meat filling is so juicy. I was hooked by the mesmerising aroma of the black truffle the moment I peeled open the exquisite steamed dim sum. It is unusual that black truffle is added into the pork filling. Although I ate many good Char Siew Baos during this research, Cassia’s signature Char Siew Bao is so exceptional and distinctive that it cemented itself at the pole position.  And none of its competitors came close to remove the crown from this champion. It’s the most pricey Char Siew Bao in town but it’s definitely worth every penny.

Cassia, Capella Singapore
1 The Knolls, Sentosa Island, Singapore 098297

1st Runner -Up: Wah Lok Cantonese Restaurant, Carlton Hotel Singapore

At $4.80 for a basket of three, Wah Lok’s Steamed BBQ Pork Bun is the best among all the traditional (using the usual ingredients) Char Siew Baos.  The bun is probably the softest among those that I’ve eaten. The meat filling is luscious and sweet. A true classic.

Wah Lok Cantonese Restaurant, Carlton Hotel Singapore
76, Bras Basah Road, Singapore 189558

2nd Runner-Up: Summer Palace, Regent Hotel Singapore

It was very tough for me to decide the ranking between the first two runner-ups. And frankly, at $5 for a basket of three Char Siew Baos, Regent Hotel lost to Wah Lok on value. Despite its stellar taste and texture, it didn’t have the extra edge like the use of premium ingredients in Cassia’s version. Nevertheless, Summer Palace still manages to leave a good impression.

Summer Palace, Regent Singapore
1 Cuscaden Road, Singapore 249715

Best Value: The Cathay Restaurant

After having a series of mediocre Char Siew Baos, I was pleasantly surprised by Cathay Restaurant’s Steamed BBQ Pork Bun. The texture is airy and the bun is packed with a good amount of moist Char Siew filling. At $3.90 for a basket of three delicious buns, it is slightly more expensive than Peach Garden’s buns.  To me, it offers the best value.

The Cathay Restaurant
2 Handy Road, The Cathay, #02-01, Singapore 229233

Rankings in order

1. Cassia, Capella Singapore ($2.40 each)
2. Wah Lok Cantonese Restaurant, Carlton Hotel Singapore ($4.80 for three)
3. Summer Palace, Regent Hotel Singapore ($5 for three)
4. Cathay Restaurant ($3.90 for three)
5. Lei Garden ($4.20 for three)
6. Majestic Bay Seafood Restaurant ($4.80 for three)
7. Sze Chuan Court @ Swissotel ($6.80 for three). One of the most expensive because they use pine seeds in the bun.
8. Asia Grand Restaurant ($4.20 for three)
9. Yan Ting @ St Regis Singapore
10. Peach Garden at Chinatown Point Shopping Centre ($3.60 for three)
11. Taste Paradise at Ion Shopping Centre ($4.50 for three)
12. Crystal Jade Kitchen at Holland Village ($3.50 for three)
13. Imperial Treasure Noodle & Congee House ($3.60 for three)
14. Min Jiang, Goodwood Park Hotel ($4.20 for three)