12 Best Dim Sum in Phuket Island

Firstly, do you even know what Dim Sum is? Well, in many ways this popular Phuket breakfast is a Chinese style of food which can be compared to Spanish tapas in a sense that they consists of not just one, but many different appetizers or snacks. These bite sized snacks are found in all different shapes, from dumplings to wraps, buns, ribs and noodle rolls. Served with tea and most often the most popular Phuket breakfast, Dim Sum is found in an enormous number of restaurants on the island which serve an even greater variety of the cuisine itself. But before you go running for a Phuket transfer, let us tell you exactly where you can find it.

Here is a guide to the best 12 Dim Sum in Phuket Island:

1. Boonrat Dim Sum

Where else could you expect some of the very best Dim Sum in Phuket other than with a family who has mastered it over four generations. Originally based in Bangkok, Boonrat was such a hit that they were able to extend their restaurants to the islands. Everything is great here and the restaurant is a popular stop on a Phuket tour but maybe try the salapao or the steamed buns for a nice surprise. It also gets crowded but do make sure you go early as they almost always run out before the afternoon.

Address: Soi Tilok Uthit 2, Talat Yai Amphoe Mueang Phuket

2. Chockchai Dim Sum

An alternative to most of the places on this list, Chockchai is a good option if you are wanting a Phuket breakfast but not everyone wants to have Dim Dum because they also serve Thai food. That said, it is known for being hugely popular with the locals and an enormous selection on their trays. Just in case you needed to know, Kanom jeen is a popular Thai food here and as for Dim Sum, the best thing to do is take a large tray which has a little bit of everything.

Address: Maeluan Road, Talat Nuea 83000, Thailand

3. Mala Dim Sum

Stuffed Shrimp Dim Su is a particular favorite here where friendly staff awaits to accompany a very large selection of Dim Sum. In fact, if you manage to grab a Phuket taxi and arrive early enough in the morning, you can even watch the chef as he rolls them to perfection. You can find western style Dim Sum here which is interesting and the restaurant is quite close to Kata Beach making it convenient to reach. I am told that if you arrive early enough you are able to watch the chef roll them — fascinating. As with some of the other options on the list, your friends can decide for a more traditional Thai Cuisine if not everybody wants the same.

Address: Karon, Mueang Phuket, Phuket

4. Somjai Dim Sum

Located not far from the Phuket bus station, Somjai is actually open late into the evening which is very unusual for a Dim Sum restaurant but helpful if you want a bite after a Phuket tour. That said, we simply will not argue with being able to enjoy this delightful dish at any time of day and this is definitely the case with the steamed white stuffed buns which have no less than eight fillings to choose between including chicken, pork, shrimp and tofu.

Address: 117/1–2 Patak Road|Kata,Phuket Town

5. Laan Dim Sum

More than twenty years have gone into perfecting Dim Sum in this small establishment in Phuket. Chicken feet are one of the few dishes that tourists will think twice about here but it is actually a crowd favorite when served with a hot spicy sauce. And for anyone who is not? There is every other type of Dim Sum as well as a noodle station with Thai food.

Address : Phun Phon Rd.(cor Soi 7)Mueang Phuket

6. Janjira Dim Sum

Chinese tea is the big seller in Janjira Dim Sum but it takes nothing away from the Dim Sum here. Steamed rice noodles are delicious too but so are the fish balls which are unique and best of all, deep fried. If you happen to stop by here as part of a Phuket tour you will also experience the wonderful presentation of the food but it requires you to rise extra early rise to beat the crowds — remember we mentioned the Phuket taxi?

Address: Soi Kanit Hongsyok, Phuket

7. KOPITIAM By Wilai

Renowned for having some of the best value in town, Kopiriam By Wilai has a very big choice of foods on the menu in general with a curry soup being notably good. However, it makes our list for the amazing Dim Sum and this also extends to the wide variety of vegetarian options on offer. Perfectly located for travelers and easy to find, the chef’s attention to detail and decoration will leave a very nice taste long after you leave here.

Address: 14 & 18 Talang R., Phuket Old Town, Muang Phuket

8. Juan Hiang Dim Sum

Possibly the longest running Dim Sum restaurant on our list is Juan Hiang on Chana Charoen Road and it most definitely does not disappoint. With ten small steel tables it may be on the small side but this delightful eatery has been found here for the pst four generations, for good reason. Various kinds of Dim Sum are available, if you can find a table, and once it arrives you are then asked to choose from a selection with the average price being as little as 20 baht per dish. Having cooked the Dim Sum for you, the restaurant also has a sublime tamarin-based sweet and sour sauce.

Address: 11 Chana-jaroen Talad Yai Muang Phuket

9.Super Dim Sum Phuket

You can pick from absolutely anything you want in Super Dim Sum and while it might get a little crowded at times, the buns and salapao are truly divine as part of a Phuket breakfast. Super Dim Sum may look a little unassuming on site but don’t let the steel table put you off, the presentation itself is worth the wait and then there’s the food — amazing.

Talat Yai, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83000

10. Dim Sum Yaowarat Kathu

This tiny Dim Sum restaurant in Phuket is very clean and very local. When you step inside you immediately choose from a large selection of Dim Sum which is in the freezer which the owner begins to steam. Served in steaming hot baskets, this is a nice place to drop into for a quick bit and some friendly interactions with locals.

Address: 17/108 moo6 |Tambol Krathu Ampur Krathu,Phuket

11. Sr Tae Tiam Sapha Coffee

Fried buns are a big favourite here in SR Tae Tiam Sapha and the menu includes many great choices of Dim Sum including some delicious fried rice noods in Chiba Landau. Upon arrival here, you simply choose which items you want from the freezer and once cooked, they are taken to the table to enjoy. One of the most popular things to do in this popular restaurant is to order a variety of Dim Sum which comes at a very affordable price. However, be warned that SR Tae Tiam Sapha does get busy although thankfully it also opens very early in the morning.

Address: 1st Jungceylon Phuket, Rat-U-Thit Rd.,Patong

12. Wang Dimsum(Phuket Town)

Located right in the very heart of Phuket Town, Wang Dimsum is owned by a Chinese man by the name Anucha Jittanupong who has an absolute passion for Dim Sum. Having moved to Phuket many years ago, he is now the proud owner of this small restaurant which serves many recipes which were brought from his home in Hong Kong. His favorite dish is the shrimp dumplings and the restaurant is also another which opens late into the evenings.

Address: Next to the Bang Neow Shrine in Phuket Town.

More information: Types of Dim Sum

Dumplings

There are so different fillings you can choose for a dumpling such as pork, glutinous rice, prawns or wheat with chives and the taste of each is entirely different to the next.

Rice noodles

You can also order steamed rice noodles and have them filled with a choice of beef, shrimp or pork. These are then topped with a sauce such as barbecue or soy sauce.

Buns

These are delicious steamed buns of yeast which are either soft dough, baked with a shiny coating or in the form of a puff pastry. Salapao is a popular white bun in Phuket but either way, they are usually filled with pork.

Rolled dishes

These can be rolled tofu skin, rice noodle or fried noodles which are rolled around many different fillings such as pork or beef. When eating, these are often dipped in sesame, soy or hoisin sauce.

Vegetarian dishes

However, there are a large number of incredible non-meat dishes including the slightly heavy Lo mai gai which, a sticky rice infused with mushrooms, sausage, chicken, , Chinese and scallions.

Etiquette, ordering and eating

Although it can feel a little uncomfortable or complicated to sit down in a restaurant abroad and order some exotic item from the menu, Dim Sum really is a very simple dish to order. However, there are a few simply points you need to keep in mind for your first experience:

1.Dim Sum is for sharing

Dim Sum is all about sharing but this does not mean anyone will run out of food or go hungry. When there are more people, there are more dishes — so be patient!

2.Tea comes first

That’s right, be patient, the food will arrive and tea comes first. When you first arrive in a Phuket restaurant for Dim Sum, it is customary to sit down first and enjoy a pot of tea. There are usually different varieties of tea and if you do run out, simply leave the lid of the pot ajar and the waiter will come to refill.

3.Placing an order

This is the scary part, right? Actually, it is so simple. When the waiter arrives, he will usually motion for you to take one he has brought to the table. It does not matter which one it is, just simply nod and take any of them.

4.The Rice Cart

Rice is usually the side dish when it comes to Dim Sum and this is brought out separately on a trolley/cart. When this happens you can wait until server has reached your table but it is also fine if you wish to approach and ask for one sooner. You can also order steamed rice to eat in between bites if you wish.

5. Chopsticks or fork?

It doesn’t matter if you really, really want to eat with a fork or that you find chopsticks too difficult — just take whatever feels more comfortable.