To all you dimsum lovers out there, the famous Michelin Star Dim Sum Restaurant from Hong Kong Tim Ho Wan is finally here in Singapore ! I first heard about this news from Gladys, or was it Yucui I can't remember and I was super excited cause ever since B and I visited their main outlet in Hong Kong last year (read post here) I have been trying to find a store in Singapore that sell Baked Bolo Buns that were as yummy as Tim Ho Wan's but to no avail. I had high expectations for their bolo buns after my visit in Hong Kong but somehow I was disappointed with their spread here in Singapore.
68 Orchard Road #01-29A
Plaza Singapura, Singapore 238839
Tel : +65 6383 2828
Introducing the Big 4 Heavenly Kings 四大天王,
Steamed Egg Cake (香滑馬來糕) S$3.80 for 1 pc
Right at the top of the menu, is Tim Ho Wan's Big 4 Heavenly Kings. First up is the Steamed Egg Cake which I personally think resembles the colourful steam cake that we often find at pasar malam but this is much more soft and fragrant of course. I was pretty impressed by its flavour and softness as it was the first time I ever had such soft steamed egg cake (I didn't order this back in Hong Kong)
Vermicelli Roll with Pig's Liver (黄沙猪润腸) S$5.50 for 3 rolls
The second of the Big 4, which is also my most anticipated dish. I have had vermicelli rolls with a variation of fillings before but I had never tried one with pig's liver. I read certain review that the skin of the roll was a tad too thick and not as flavourful but I beg to differ. I personally think that the thickness was alright except that it came a little too cold. Perhaps it was just me cause I was busy snapping away before I got down to tasting it.
Baked Bun with BBQ Pork (酥皮焗叉燒包) S$4.50 for 3 pcs
Third on the Big 4 list, is the baked bolo bun that I have mentioned right at the start of this post. I think there is nothing much to say about this particular dish. I was mad disappointed. The one I had tasted back in Hong Kong was much much better. The crust was crispy and the filling was generous and juicy unlike the ones in Singapore which I personally feel not as 饱满.
See how hollow the bun was ):
Pan Fried Carrot Cake (香煎萝卜糕) S$4.5 for 3 pcs
The last of the Big 4, Pan Fried Carrot Cake. It is not the ordinary carrot cake that you will out there. It is soft and filmsy, with generous amount of radish and lap cheong which made the entire carrot cake rather flavourful.
Apart from the Big 4 Heavenly Kings 四大天王, Mom and I ordered a few more dishes.
When it comes to dimsum, it is a must to order Har Gao. If it's good, then the dimsum restaurant is definitely worth a visit. I love how the dumpling skin is neither too hard nor thick, coupled with juicy and succulent crunchy prawns.
Steamed Prawn Dumpling a.k.a Har Gao (晶瑩鮮蝦餃) S$5.50 for 4pcs
When it comes to dimsum, it is a must to order Har Gao. If it's good, then the dimsum restaurant is definitely worth a visit. I love how the dumpling skin is neither too hard nor thick, coupled with juicy and succulent crunchy prawns.
Glutinous Rice Dumpling (古法糯米鸡), S$5.00 for 1 pc
The Glutinous Rice Dumpling was another dish that I felt was not comparable with the ones I had in Hong Kong. Like in Hong Kong, it was also the last dish to arrive and despite being full from the earlier dishes, I actually managed to finish the one in Hong Kong but here in Singapore, I think the rice dumpling is a little too hard and dry. The fillings are no doubt flavourful but the chicken lacks moisture like the rice.
Spring Roll with Egg White (賽螃蟹春卷) S$4.20 for 3pcs
The entire idea of having egg whites in replacement of radish for spring roll as unique but again, I felt that the filling was not enough. Skin was crispy no doubt but as I sink my teeth into the spring roll, all i could taste was the crisps from the skin and nothing else. It didn't even felt like there was filling in it.
My overall verdict, D.I.S.A.P.P.O.I.N.T.E.D. To be very honest, as much as I enjoyed some of the dishes, there were more nays than yays. Most of the dishes did not live up to the hype, let alone live up to the name of Michelin 1 star. To think I wasted 1 hour of my life queuing for something which is so disappointing. I would not say it was untasty but it just isn't quite as awesome as I had in Hong Kong. Nonetheless, everyone deserves a second chance and I will be visiting Tim Ho Wan when the hype is gone and hopefully the recipes will get better by then. For those who are trying out Tim Ho Wan for the first time, I think you will enjoy it pretty well. For those who have tried the ones in Hong Kong, I suggest you visit at a later date so you will not feel the same disappointment like I did.
