There's a particular sound I associate with dim sum, and it's the soft thud of a bamboo basket landing on a table.
I hadn't heard it in a halal setting very often. For years, dim sum was the thing I'd watch other people eat, or eat carefully elsewhere, always doing quiet math in my head first. That is exactly why Loong Dim Sum stands out: it is a Muslim-owned halal Chinese restaurant on North Canal Road in Boat Quay, Singapore, serving fully halal dim sum with both steamed and fried dishes made by hand.
Here's what I found: the food itself, from staples like har gow to their signature juicy bao; how much care goes into each dish; what the seating and atmosphere are actually like; what to order; what to note about the stairs and close-set seating; whether delivery is an option; and how other diners have rated the experience.
First Impressions at Loong Dim Sum Halal Chinese Restaurant on North Canal Road
I visited on a Tuesday, around 7pm, expecting quiet. The room had other plans.
Loong Dim Sum spans four storeys in Boat Quay with modern decor at 10 North Canal Road, Singapore 048823, and it’s about a seven-minute walk from Clarke Quay MRT Station if you’re trying to find it; getting up there still means a flight of stairs, which is worth knowing if that's a struggle for anyone in your group. The space itself is snug, with the first floor seating 20 diners and the second floor seating 22. Tables close together, warm lighting, a hum of conversation that grew as the evening filled out.
It felt more lived-in than grand. Not fine dining, not trying to be. The kind of place built for people leaning across a table, reaching for the last dumpling.
A server took our order without rushing us, pointed us toward a couple of great options on the menu, and left us to it. I liked that care. It’s open daily from 11am to 11pm, and reservations are required for dining.
What I Ordered: A Selection of Halal Dim Sum and Fried Dim Sum Dishes
We went the only sensible way with dim sum: too much, shared, passed hand to hand.
Here's what landed on our table:
- Har Gow ($8.30) — translucent dumpling with prawns and vegetables
- Loong's Signature Juicy Bao ($9.40) — a large juicy bao filled with a blend of seafood and chicken broth
- Loong's Salted Egg Pao ($9.40)
- Char Siew Bao, Chicken ($8.90)
- Sichuan Chicken Dumpling ($8.30)
- Tiger Prawn Dumpling with Mayonnaise ($8.20)
- Chicken Char Siew Flaky Pastry ($7.80)
- Black Pepper Beef Bun ($9.90)
- Chili Crab Yam Dumpling ($9.90)
- Unagi Cheese Roll ($9.00)
- Yang Zhou Fried Rice ($12.90)
- Char Kway Teow Beef ($15.90)
- Mala Chicken ($16.90)
More than four people needed, honestly. But I wanted to understand the kitchen, and you don't learn that from two baskets.
The Steamed Dim Sum Experience at Loong Dim Sum Halal Dim Sum Restaurant
The steamed dim sum came first, and this is where the quality and tradition of Loong Dim Sum halal Chinese restaurant shines.
The har gow was translucent, with a thin wrapper that held together perfectly, revealing plump prawns inside. The prawns were firm and sweet, cooked with precision.
The char siew bao, made with chicken here to meet halal requirements, was soft and cloud-light, the bun steaming faintly as I pulled it apart. The filling inside was sweet and sticky, a decent stand-in for the pork version I grew up watching others enjoy.
Then the Loong's Signature Juicy Bao arrived. This large xiao long bao was a highlight, crafted with a blend of seafood and chicken broth, served with a straw to sip the savory broth before enjoying the soft bun and filling. The broth was rich with a hint of seafood flavors, a dish that feeds both the stomach and the soul.
The Sichuan Chicken Dumpling brought a spicy kick, sitting in a slick of chili oil that was warming without overwhelming. Truffle lovers should also look out for the Truffle Crystal Mushroom Dumpling. Every basket arrived hot, a testament to the care and passion behind each dish. A more luxurious choice is the Premium Beef Siew Mai with caviar at S$20.80.
Fried Dim Sum and Other Favorites at Loong Dim Sum Restaurant
If the steamed dishes were the quiet part of the meal, the fried dim sum and baked items were where the kitchen showed off a little.
The chicken char siew flaky pastry shattered with buttery layers, the sweet filling warm underneath.
The tiger prawn dumpling with mayonnaise was indulgent, with a crisp shell and creamy sauce complementing the fresh prawns.
The lobster broth pumpkin dumpling was a standout fried dim sum dish, featuring a cute little dropper to inject the rich lobster broth into the fried dumpling shell. This interactive element added a fun, flavorful twist to the traditional dim sum experience.
The chili crab yam dumpling surprised me most. Its lacy, honeycomb yam crust gave way to a soft, spiced crab filling that was sweet and savory together. Fiddly to make, and you can tell, and it gives traditional dim sum a local twist.
The black pepper beef bun carried a proper peppery kick beneath its soft dough, and the unagi cheese roll was a rich, fusion-style offering that added variety to the menu.
Among the mains, the yang zhou fried rice was clean and well-seasoned, each grain separate. The char kway teow beef came smoky with real wok hei, dark and satisfying. The mala chicken was the heaviest dish, spicy and oily, best enjoyed in small bites alongside lighter dim sum if the richer orders still feel worth the money to your table.
What Stood Out Most: Loong's Signature Juicy Bao and Har Gow
If I could reorder only one dish from this halal dim sum restaurant, it would be Loong's Signature Juicy Bao. Having this juicy bao in a halal setting was a pleasant surprise, allowing me to enjoy a dish I previously missed out on.
The har gow ran a close second. It's the honest benchmark of any dim sum restaurant, and Loong Dim Sum passed it without fuss.
What Could Be Better at Loong Dim Sum Halal Chinese Restaurant
I won't pretend it was flawless. The stairs up to the first floor are a genuine barrier for some, with no elevator alternative.
The dining area is snug, with tables close together, making it lively but not ideal for quiet, unhurried meals.
Some fusion items like the unagi cheese roll felt like they were reaching for variety, and the richer dishes like mala chicken and fried dim sum add up fast. Order heavy dishes alongside something fresh to balance the flavors. That approach helps satisfy different preferences at the table and leaves most tastes covered.
Practically, this is a place to come in a group, with those coming together better able to balance the menu and portions. The portions and joy of dim sum both make more sense across a full table.
Who Should Visit Loong Dim Sum Halal Dim Sum Restaurant in Singapore
This is an easy one to place.
Come here if you're a halal diner who has ever felt that quiet ache watching everyone else enjoy dim sum. Come with family, friends, or colleagues to share a variety of handcrafted dim sum dishes.
It's built for gatherings, with private and group spaces on higher floors available for larger events.
I'd hold off if you want a hushed fine-dining evening or if stairs and tight seating are a real problem for your party. Also, this is not a budget hawker spot but a halal dim sum restaurant that values quality and passion, so prices reflect that.
One last note: halal status and menu offerings can change, so confirm current certification and options before you visit.
The Part That Stays: A Halal Dim Sum Experience Crafted with Care and Tradition
I left full, and not only in the stomach.
There's a kind of quiet that settles over a table when the food is trusted and the company is easy. No one's checking anything. Everyone's just eating, reaching, passing baskets.
Loong Dim Sum isn't chasing fine-dining status. It's a Muslim-owned halal Chinese restaurant making dim sum by hand and serving it hot, letting families sit down together without hesitation. That counts for more than plating.
If you've been looking for halal dim sum in Singapore that actually satisfies, and know your dim sum cravings are covered, save this place and go. Bring people you like. Order more than you think you need. And do check the latest menu and halal status before you head down.
Some meals stay with you longer than the walk to the MRT. This was one of them, and if you've made it to the end of this article, the practical details above should help you decide when to visit.
Delivery and Self Heating Box Options from Loong Dim Sum Halal Dim Sum Restaurant
Can't dine out? Loong Dim Sum offers delivery options with self heating box technology that keeps your dim sum fresh and hot, allowing you to enjoy the great flavors of their signature dishes like juicy bao and fried dim sum at home.
This delivery option feeds your craving for quality halal dim sum with convenience and care.
Customer Praise: Sarah Anthony and Others Share Their Experience
Sarah Anthony, a satisfied diner, was pleasantly surprised by the variety and quality of dishes served at Loong Dim Sum halal dim sum restaurant. She highlighted the attentive service, the delightful blend of flavors, and the passion evident in every bite.
Many other customers have shared photos and reviews praising the authentic taste, great selection, and the unique dishes like the lobster broth pumpkin dumpling and the bom dessert with black sugar and cashew nut.
Loong Dim Sum continues to build a reputation as a halal dim sum restaurant that blends tradition with innovation, right in the vibrant Boat Quay area of Singapore.
