Bao Fa Cha Chaan Teng Review : Affordable Dim Sum with HK Vibe

Since Wen Dao Shi's closure at Geylang, we have been looking for a Dim Sum place in the East with old-school HK vibes.

Enter Bao Fa Cha Chaan Teng, a dim sum open-air restaurant nested in a row of shophouses along Upper Paya Lebar Road.

Several industrial buildings surround the area, making parking relatively easy in one of those buildings. If you are taking public transport, Tai Seng MRT is an easy 4-minute walk away.

The Resturant

This is an open-air restaurant. While there is no air conditioning, it is breezy, with big fans and an open concept. It easily seats around 30 people.

The Food

The main attraction of this place is its dim sum. Helmed by an HK chef, it offers a variety of homemade Dim Sum and a selection of Western fare and rice dishes. 

Dim Sum was a standard affair with a good mix of steamed and fried items. In terms of variety, this is what you would expect in a decent Dim Sum restaurant. Here's what we had.

Steamed items

Siew Mai

This is their signature dish. The Siew Mai are fresh and meaty without the rubbery textile you get from ready-made Siew Mai.

Xiao Long Bao

The Xiao Long Bao are decent for the price, and the dumpling skin was soft and easy to chew.

Pork Ribs with Bean Sauce

A decent fare with a generous portion.

Custard Bao

We were shocked when we bit into this. The warm custard just oozed out from the bao with every bite.

Lotus Leaf Glutinous Rice

A general portion. It is meant for one but enough to fill the stomach for two.

Fried Items

XO Fried Carrot Cake

There is a lovely plate of XO Fried Carrot Cake. If you are going there, it should be on your list.

Custard Sesame Balls

Like the Custard Bao, the custard overflows when you bite.

Crispy Mango Prawn Roll

Nicely fried with a hint of mango. Prawns used are fresh for this dish.

Fried Prawn Dumpling

Crispy, big and fresh. Worth every bite.

Western

Chicken Cutlet

BaO Fa Cha Chaan Teng served HK-style Western fare, such as chicken and Mac, Chicken chop, Chicken Cutlet, and more. We tried the chicken cutlet. The batter was crispy, and the portion was generous.

Rice Dish

Braised Vinegar Pig's Trotter

For those who prefer rice, there is a selection of rice, such as curry chicken and braised pork belly. We got the braised Vinegar Pig's Trotter, a dish often difficult to find in restaurants. 

It was an excellent choice as the succulent pig trotter is well-soaked in vinegar, providing the right blend of taste and texture. 

Verdict

This is a good spot for those craving Dim Sum and a little bit of everything else. Its extensive menu also means it will satisfy the appetites of young and old. Weekdays are noticeably quieter than weekends, so this place would be great if you want an unassuming spot for a meal. 

Go on weekdays, and you will be awarded a point card. Get a stamp for every $20 spent and accumulate to exchange for dishes on the next visit.

With no service charge, the prices are comparable to those of Hawker Fare's, but you will end up with better quality food and a nicer ambience. Worth a try!