Monday, July 1, 2013

Tim Ho Wan, was it worth the queue?

There has been so much hype about this newly opened One Michelin Star Hong Kong Dim sum restaurant at Plaza Sing. You read about it on newspaper and magazines, blogs, Facebook, twitter, photos of it on instagram. It makes me really wonder if it's really that good but what's preventing me from going down to try out the dim sum is the super long queue.

I heard the average queuing time is about 2 hours, i have been to Plaza Sing a few times and saw the long queue with my own eyes. There was one time i was craving for dim sum and finally made up my mind to queue for dinner BUT upon reaching at about 7.45pm, they put up a sign stating something like - "Last order: 0930pm. Queue close as we are unable to promise you seating and enough food before the last order." Just when i managed to convince myself, FML
Went back on a Saturday afternoon and was quite surprised to see half the usual queue.
Still had to wait for about 1 hour and 15 mins though. As you are reaching the entrance, the staff will hand you a small clipboard with their menu so you can select your choices and order once you are seated. Was expecting more though.
I think one of the reason why the queue is so long is because the restaurant is quite small...
Rice with Chicken, Sausage and Mushroom ($6) Not too bad, but expecting more than half a mushroom :(
Glutinous rice dumpling ($5) The rice is moist and the filling is really good. Recommend this!
Pork dumpling with shrimp ($5) I could literally feel the fresh shrimps in the siew mai. Not bad!

Prawn dumpling ($5.50) Taste quite normal.
Vermicelli roll with shrimp ($5.50) Take note there's 3 rolls but only 2 in the photo because i was too hungry and ate before i realised i have not taken a photo of it! LOL This taste good, i would love to try the char siew one next time.
The highlight of the restaurant - Baked bun with BBQ pork ($4.50 for 3)

I remember how people raved about this bun being soft and fluffy and one is definitely not gonna be enough so i was really looking forward to trying it. My verdict would be, this bun is really as good as what people describe and i love it!
Queued up for 1 hour and 15 mins for a seat and spent only 30 mins eating. Total bill was about $40 for the above dishes including drinks. Overall experience was not too bad, and the food was above average. However if you were to ask me if i would queue up again, i don't think i will. I feel that the waiting time is too long and not worth it. I'm hoping that when there are more outlets in Singapore (the plan is to open 6 outlet by year end) the queue will lessen (:

I read on the news that there will be an SMS notification system so that people don't have to wait in the queue for their turn, hopefully it's true and what about the takeaway counter that was never open? I want to da pao the buns! :D

Tim Ho Wan
#01-29 Plaza Singapura
68 Orchard Road
Daily: 10:00 - 22:00