If you know me well enough, you should know that I love Dim Sum that I don’t mind having dim sum every single day. That’s provided its nice la. So when Nirav wanted to meet me in Singapore, he trusted me with the itinerary (including restaurants etc). Dim Joy is one of the restaurants to visit (in my itinerary) and since its right in Chinatown, I can bring Nirav to look-see-look-see the Chinatown surrounding. :)
Anyway, if you want to visit Dim Joy, my advice is to make a reservation first. Since it was a weekday, and we avoid the lunch crowd, we got there around 1130am or so, and most of the tables are taken (reserved) and there is only one table (near the entrance) which was available at that time. So we took that table but the air conditioner is a bitch! It was like hot and mind you, there is only like one table occupied. :I
The outdoor sitting area
Inside Dim Joy – Simple settings (but they must do something about the air-cond)
There is one plus point for Dim Joy, which is small little things, like telling the story of some chinese “legends”. There’s a paper (behind the chopsticks) that list down the story/legends of some Chinese traditions, which includes, The Origin of Finger Tapping (you know when someone pour chinese tea, we will tap our finger?), meaning of Yum Cha, the norm for Teapot Refills, The Importance of Toothpicks, Chopstick Etiquette and not forgetting the meaning of Dim Sum.
Chinese Tea (Price varies from SGD1.50 – SGD3.00 per person depending on the tea you choose)
King Shrimp Har Gao (SGD4.00), All dim sum are freshly made upon order and this you can tell from this har gao, fresh prawn. Although the skin can be a bit thinner, but I think its ok cos a lot of other dim sum place serve the har gao with like super thick skin (So Dim Joy one is acceptable). You know the feeling when you eat your har gao, only to be *yuck* by the skin and remove the skin, only to eat the prawn by itself?
Honey Syrup Char Siew Bao (SGD4.00). This char siew bao skin is nice, really soft! But the minced pork meat inside is ok ok only. :)
Shrimps & Chives in Rice Roll (SGD5.00). The rice roll is not bad too! The skin is thicker than what we usually have but the whole roll is coated evenly with the sauce that makes it taste so smooth. :)
I forgotten what is this called but its very nice. The vegetable , dried mushroom and the chives makes the whole dish so delightful!
Must order this Century Egg with Lean Pork Congee (SGD9.00). The porridge is so smooth, you might mistaken it for soup but then again, at the same time, its so tasteful! Although I hate century egg, I still find this congee nice!
Steamed Spare Ribs with Garlic (SGD5.50). I find this dish so-so. I think the marinade/garlic is not strong enough. Just like eating plain spare ribs, a bit bland.
Siew Mai (SGD3.50). You know, my siew mai requirement is pretty simple. Make sure that the siew mai don’t smell like one old pork. Don’t get me wrong, I think its pretty important to make the siew mai, minus the strong pork smell. You know what I mean if you are a regular dim sum eat-er. Look the siew mai is pretty big, k? *love*
Pan Fried Radish Cake (SGD3.00). This is nice too, what I like, is that you still can taste the small strips of (fresh) radish.
Ok, here comes the killer. I really love the Char Siew So (SGD3.50). The pastry is flaky and crispy. I don’t know how to describe, but this is really really nice. Must try.
And here comes by all-time favourite (i mean dim sum) is the Custard Bun (SGD3.00). The filling of custard and salty egg yolk is on the mild side and the skin is a bit too thick for my liking. But this is so much nicer compare to those places in KL (i.e. Reunion Bangsar)
I guess I’ll come back (if I got time) the next time I visit SIngapore. =)
Dim Joy Restaurant
80 Neil Road, Singapore
(65) 6220 6986
Website: Click here
