A Chinese New Year Birthday Dinner at Yum Cha Chinatown

We made our way to Chinatown to soak in the upcoming Chinese New Year vibes while celebrating our friend’s birthday with dinner. We were meant to go to a café, but it turned out to be closed—the article my friend found was from 2020. After wandering around for a last-minute option, we ended up at Yum Cha, which turned out to be a great choice since it was a light and shareable meal.

The moment we sat down and ordered, the crowd began to flow in. It was dinner time during the upcoming Chinese New Year, so many companies were out for a 收工飯 or a celebratory meal for the new working year. As a result, the restaurant got pretty noisy, with conversations buzzing from every table.

Loved this preserved cucumbers to the fullest

X.O Fried Carrot Cake with Shrimp

I’ve loved this dish for as long as I can remember, especially because the thicker pieces of carrot cake add extra texture. Instead of frying the eggs with the carrot cake, they’re added as a garnish on top. Paired with some fresh prawns, it all comes together really nicely.

Lucky Tangerine Fried Prawn Balls

My friends ordered this because it looked cute, and it didn’t disappoint visually. The appearance was on point, though the filling inside was quite average (just a small bite of flavored paste). The outside was nicely crispy, making it a very Instagram-worthy dish.

Xiao Long Bao

A dim sum experience isn’t complete without xiao long bao and anyone who skips them is missing out. The skin is key to a great xiao long bao: neither too thick nor thin, and this one was spot on. And it is best having it immediately after serving, as they don’t taste nearly as good once they’ve cooled. If you’re worried about the hot soup inside, just pour it into your soup spoon before taking a bite. 

Chilli Oil Meat Dumplings

What’s a dim sum dinner without chilli oil meat dumplings? Some might say they’re just dumplings drizzled or soaked in chilli oil, but that combination actually elevates the dish beyond your usual dumplings. The filling was fresh and firm, making it even more enjoyable.

Abalone Siew Mai

Instead of going for the usual siew mai you see everywhere, I tried the abalone siew mai just to mix things up. The abalone on top was slightly overcooked and a bit rubbery, but the siew mai itself had a good, firm texture.

Yam Paste with Gingko Nuts

There’s always room for dessert, and the birthday girl opted for the yam paste, which she enjoyed and shared with one of my friends. Although I usually enjoy sweet treats, I wasn’t in the mood for dessert that evening.

Wow a tiny Longevity Bun for the Birthday Girl

I was honestly expecting a more generous-sized longevity bun rather than the tiny one pictured. While it was nicely presented in a one-bite sized, the birthday girl shared that the filling was lotus paste.

Join me in wishing this lady a Happy Forever 18th Birthday!

All thanks to our Labubu outfit sponsor, the Birthday Girl herself

That’s all for this post! I hope you enjoyed the review, and wishing you a wonderful Chinese New Year if you’re celebrating or a well-deserved, relaxing break at home if you’re not. Stay tuned for my next review!

Yum Cha Restaurant
20 Trengganu St, #02-01
Singapore 058479

Nearest MRT: CHINATOWN (NEL/DTL) Exit A

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. All expenses were covered by the writer and her friends. All opinions and reviews are based on her personal preferences and taste, and do not reflect anyone else's views.