Yum Cha was first introduced to Sydney in the mid-70s but has since evolved to be synonymous with that dim sum trolley cart, we’ve all come to know. The weekend fixture can be found in every major suburb, but only a handful of restaurants can be crowned the cream of the crop.
So if you’re looking for pillowy-soft dumplings, steamed baskets filled with aromatic dishes, and a buzzy atmosphere, here are Sydney’s best yum cha restaurants.
Golden Sands
Hurstville
The southwest is home to a Cantonese-speaking population, resulting in the birth of Golden Sands, also known as the king of yum cha in the southwest. Here, whit table cloths adorn tables, rolling carts are stacked with steam baskets cooking everything from seafood-jammed dumplings to chicken feet and stewed pork ribs. The silky rice noodle rolls are a must-try according to anyone who has ever eaten here.
Palace Chinese Restaurant
Haymarket
The palace dining room is always full of hungry yum cha goers, shouting for more dumplings, and scanning the room for trolleys weaving between tables. It’s a thrill to dine here, but the food is why people come back. Whether it’s gelatinous chicken feet or XO kangaroo, the food is unbeatable at the palace. Bear in mind, it’s definitely not one of the cheaper spots for yum cha, especially in the city, but it does offer quality cooking. In the end, you get what you pay for.
The Eight
Haymarket
The Eight brings a modern approach to yum cha, offering a rarefied experience focusing on fine food. The dining room stays true to any Chinese restaurant, but the menu offers time-honoured recipes including stir-fried lobster and live mud crab tossed in salted egg. As for the dim sum, expect plump parcels, stuffed with pork and seafood, with that perfect chewy texture. For dessert, you can’t go past the mango pancake or baked custard bun. As you would expect, the price is a little higher here than most yum cha experiences, but the quality is well worth it.
Mr Wong
CBD
You can’t beat a yum cha experience at Mr Wong. This vibrant, fun and fresh Cantonese restaurant is known for its stellar dishes, which can cost quite a lot, but is worth every dollar. Steamer baskets are filled with umami-rich dishes, plump dumplings, chewy steamed buns, and more. The seafood is definitely a highlight, including the char siu toothfish and crispy fried Balmain bugs. The duck pancakes are a must-try. Price can range from $88 to $108 per person for a banquet meal.
The Dynasty
Canterbury
This restaurant is dressed in Pagoda style timbers, bamboo curtain roof, dramatic artworks and its watercourse gives diners the impression that the restaurant is floating on a lake. That’s just your first impression. Once inside, you’re met with an extensive menu of dim sums such as the hoisin rich beef belly, pork buns, and egg tarts. If you’re a member you get a discount on your meal too. If not, this yum cha experience won’t break the bank.
Zilver
Haymarket
This long-standing establishment is quick to seat and serve you. After that, you can take your time making your way through a table full of hot pots, dumplings, steamed greens, and anything else you want from the roving carts. The prawn dumplings are somewhat of a star here, as is the barbecue pork buns. The prices are wallet-friendly too.
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