It has been almost a year since Tim Ho Wan 添好運, Hong Kong’s most famous Michelin star dim sum restaurant, opened its first international expansion in the Philippines after the Singapore branch, which owns the Asian franchise of this Hong Kong original. Tim Ho Wan is a “go-to” for consistent Chinese food, pleasing diners with its simple and straightforward menu of traditional favorites and more modern specialties plus drinks.
My sister and I had lunch in its flagship branch in SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City on a Wednesday. With bright and inviting atmosphere and great food that round out the experience, there’s no wonder why the dining room fills up very quickly anytime of the day and anytime of the week. Take note that strictly no reservations are accepted. With that said, it’s most recommended to go early or expect a wait. The hype has not died down. Wahaha. 🙂
Review of Tim Ho Wan 添好運 (SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City)
Service: ★★★★★
Tim Ho Wan’s waiting system must have already proven itself effective, with the staff bringing order to an otherwise potentially chaotic situation. Chairs for people in queue are available outside, while others have to stand and wait until their names are called. We were lucky to find seats immediately, since we came before the prime of lunch hour. To order, we just ticked the items on the checklist and submitted it to the staff.
The restaurant was full but we were not rushed and were given the best customer service we could ask for.
Food: ★★★★★
Tim Ho Wan is popular in dishing out lots of yummy goodness to impossible lines of loyal fans. Ordering the Baked Bun with BBQ Pork (PhP 145 for 3pcs) is a must. This is the iconic signature dimsum that lures in crowds who push the wait to an hour or more (consider yourself warned).
The buns were pillowy soft, light, not oily, not chewy, with crumbly pastry crust that’s so freshly baked. The char siu filling was sweet and savory. It’s an indulgence worth braving the crowd for. 🙂
The Steam Spinach Dumpling with Shrimp (PhP 120) is a welcome break from ordinary sautéed spinach. It’s a great way to enjoy tender, leafy greens with shrimp in translucent, delicate wrapper.
We dipped it in a mixture of soy sauce and chili sauce for better taste. It’s a simple yet tantalizing treat that’s elegantly showcased, a sensible choice for this lenten season. 🙂
We also had Glutinous Rice in Lotus Leaf (PhP 190) (machang) which was served steaming hot. The fragrant glutinous rice was seriously good stuff, and shredded of meat and mushroom inside were tasty and perfectly flavored. We loved every bite!
Price for Value: ★★★★☆
I have no qualms about the freshness and good quality of ingredients that went into making good food here at Tim Ho Wan. With regard to prices, they are still more expensive than the Chinese restaurants my family frequents. However, considering that Tim Ho Wan is the “world’s cheapest Michel Star restaurant,” this place can be a safe bet and certainly one that warrants a return visit without question. 🙂
About Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco
Health and technology freak. Food and lifestyle blogger with a large appetite for food and travel.
hmmmmm …. for mall prices, their offerings are reasonable. my mom enjoys tim ho wan a lot that she frequents their branch…. not really a complaint but i find the buns too sweet. although i love the soft mouth feel of it….. hmmmmm mang libre ka naman roch hahahahaha joke see you soon dear
I thought the sweetness was okay. I’ll have to also try that of Tuan Tuan next time for comparison. 🙂 The only problem I see with Tim Ho Wan is that people get turned off by the line, but in most cases, the wait isn’t that long esp if you are by yourself or a small party. Ohh haha ikaw na lang manlibre, you’re a free man now, Jeng! 😛
Kaka-Tim ho wan ko lang a few days ago. Super sulit lagi yung experience with them. As iiin. Lalo na if you’re craving for dimsum, Tim ho Wan is the place to be 🙂 Nice review, Roch! Can’t wait to see you soon!
Thanks, Rhea! I’m excited na rin to post about that food event we attended. 🙂
Tim Ho Wan was a much anticipated dining experience. I wish they’d put up a branch near my home.
I love dim sum restaurants! It’s so fun to try all the different foods. I like how they have the little check off system to get your food. Very effective. Those BBQ pork buns look amazing! I’ve only had good ones at one restaurant but when they are good…I could eat about 6!
Yeah, the checklist is great especially since it is expected that customers would order a long list of items. To make sure that the waiters do not forget anything, the list for reference is useful. Oh gosh, I think I can only eat about three of those buns at max! 😛
This restaurant looks right up my alley! I have a serious weakness for pork buns and it is the absolute first thing I grab at dim sum breakfasts. The spinach dumplings look absolutely awesome, too, I’ve never seen them before. Those are definitely something I’d love to try 🙂
Yeah these are must-tries! The workers from the hostess to the chefs and servers have their jobs down pat and makes the process efficient. You can expect quick turnaround and amazing food here. 🙂
Wow, it seems like a really popular place ya? Not usually a fan of Chinese restaurants, but the Michelin star really makes me interested to! I really love glutinous rice in lotus leaf and this one looks very yum indeed! I should totally check out the Singapore branch this June!
Tim Ho Wan is super popular. 😀 Oh wow you’re going to Singapore in two months! Yup, don’t forget to check out their branch there and order the crispy buns which have sweet and savory insides. Holy smokes, they’re melt in your mouth delicious!
What a great review of this restaurant! Your pictures are amazing and mouth watering! I always feel like I am right there with your pictures! (Great capturing your reader!) It sounds like it was very orderly and organized inside!
Thanks, Cindy! These food looked good in the pictures, but they are way better in actual. You must try them for they’re really yummy and worth the wait. 😉
The Steam Spinach Dumpling with Shrimp sounds looks amazing! You wrote a very thorough, and informative review. I remember the SM Malls when I was in the Philippines in 2009. It was such an amazing shopping and dining experience. When I go back, hopefully soon, I will definitely keep Tim Ho Wan in mind!
Yes, that’s a nice plan! There are plenty of new restaurants that opened since last year in SM Mega Mall’s Mega Fashion Hall. It’s always good to find extensive menus (with English explanations) and interesting dishes that are not available in your hometown. 🙂
I love all the places you take us as blog readers. All the places I probably would’ve passed by, I’m now second guessing and going in to explore and eat. I haven’t had dim sum… ever before. I wonder if I’d like it! I think I would though, because all the food you posted looks tasty 🙂
Haha well, you should try dim sum! Tim Ho Wan serves different kinds and they all look appetizing on their menu with pictures. This restaurant has friendly and lightning-fast service, and food has incredible value. It’s a must visit! 🙂
My goodness all of those dishes look so good. I have been trying to find a good bun recipe to recreate at home since it is one of my favorite dishes. I wish I was dining with you!
Haha join our table next time, Amanda! 🙂 I ate 1.5 buns (half shared with my sister) but wished my stomach could contain more. There were so much food to try on their menu. I recommend everything we got. Simply amazing food! 🙂
Tim Ho Wan has really had the country hooked. They also opened one in Glorietta.
Oh yes, I hope the one that’s planned to open in SM Mall of Asia will launch na…super exciting eh. 🙂 I’m sure I’ll frequent that place a lot.
This restaurant looks like it’s something I would really enjoy! I wish I lived closer so I could try it this weekend!!! Thanks for the awesome post!
You’re welcome, Lauren! 🙂 For being a Michelin star restaurant, it’s awesome that it’s inexpensive. We were in dim sum heaven. Seriously.
All of your food looks amazing and sounds delicious!!! This looks like a great restaurant for a date night or for getting together with girlfriends. The buns look like they would be my favorite and must try item!
Oh yes, Tim Ho Wan lives up to the hype and very deserving of the Michelin star. As others have stated, the best thing to get is the pork buns. Maybe they are a tad sweet, but I love the sweet topping on the buns. The other dim sum items are pretty good as well. 🙂
Amazing. After almost a year, people are still lining up! I hope when I get to Tim Ho Wan, the line will be shorter.
It might be best to avoid peak dining hours. 🙂 Their food truly touched my heart and I loved every bite of my meal.
Looks like a great place to eat and has some delicious looking dishes too… I bet you enjoyed your visit to this restaurant!
Yes! Funny thing was that this was not planned at all. I was at SM Mega Mall and my sister who works nearby just suggested us to go for lunch together at Tim Ho Wan. 🙂 I’m glad we did!
hope they open a branch in leyte so i can taste the goodness of their foods
Oh yes, I hope that Tim Ho Wan branches out to more locations in the Philippines. 🙂 Everything we had was amazing but the BBQ pork buns were divine! I highly recommend this spot.
Baked Bun with BBQ Pork for only PhP145 for 3pcs. Not bad with that kind of foods.
Yes, prices are reasonable. The wait is well worth it, but sometimes you can be lucky and the queue isn’t too bad. 😀
Everything looks like it tastes so good. I love eating food at different cultural restaurants. In fact, I was at a new Japanese restaurant that just opened in our area the other day. It was amazing.
I love Asian food and Japanese is one of my top favorites as well. 🙂 Tim Ho Wan is a good introduction to people who have never had dim sum before.
The buns look really good to me. They look light and airy, just the way I’d like them.
You will absolutely love the pork buns. 🙂
Everything looks delicious! Imma have the Steamed Spinach Dumplings ( I love dumplings ) + the Baked Buns with Barbequed Pork. Somehow, I’m in the mood for some Chinese food and hopefully, they open a branch in the South.
Hehe if you want them so bad, you can visit SM Megamall or Glorieta this weekend. Get the pork buns (char siu bao) as a main or eat them as dessert since they’re a bit sweeter. Entirely up to you! 🙂
What a fantastic place this looks! I am too little for Chinese food really, Mummy does have take aways sometimes. I love seeing different places around the world 🙂
Basically everything here is the bomb and deservedly so. Hot and fresh food as well as quick service are tops here.
It is funny to read this post today, my Husband was saying last night that he wanted Dim Sum (although we were going to get it at the grocery store lol). I am not a big fan of Chinese food, but that Baked Bun with BBQ Pork looks delicious!Yum!
It’s called fate or the world telling you that you should grab some dim sum to fix that crave. 😛 You can visit Tim Ho Wan solely for the pork buns. They’re amazing!
I love dimsum restaurants and it’s good to know that another worth-going and wating for opened it’s doors to the Filipino market. I hope they’ll also open to other key cities in the country. The baked bun got me curious! (It looks yummy!!)
Oh yes, the baked buns are legit! The outside is sweet and flaky like a pineapple bun, and the inside is sweet and salty bbq pork. SO FREAKING GOOD. Best thing hands down. 😛
I haven’t tried any of these types of dishes but I’d love to! I would especially love those dumplings. Awesome!
The dumplings are one of the best dim sum you can have in a fun casual setting. Get in, eat, get out is the style. 🙂
Everything looks so delicious! I wish there was a location near me so that I could try it. Hmm, going to have to go out for Chinese tonight!
You sound so inspired! Good way to go. 🙂
YUM! That looks amazing! Looks like a great place to eat with a nice variety of a menu!
The selections on the menu are actually quite limited as they fit only in one page of the paper. However, they all seemed delicious. 🙂
What I like with Tim Ho Wan is that their food comes in manageable doses. Of course, they also have great tasting food.
Everything came out hot and delicious! We loved it so much we wanted to go back the next day.
I am such a foodie and would love to try the Baked BBQ Bun. 🙂 SE Asia provides some of the greatest food experiences.
If you ever see a Tim Ho Wan without a line (in any part of the world), literally drop whatever your doing and head over the restaurant immediately. You may never get this opportunity ever again. Enjoy! 🙂
All of these foods are new to me but look very interesting. I would love to try them!
Tim Ho Wan can be the home of your roast pork bun dreams. 🙂 So good!
Ok, this looks like a great place. I want to go there! I can’t believe people are still lining up, how neat!
Hehe yup! The line is orderly. Customers must be patient enough to get their turn. 🙂
i love chinese food so i am sure i am going to enjoy this resto, which i have yet to try, though.
Yes, you must try it with your family! Their dim sum is simply superior. 🙂
Great looking food! The baked buns look so good! What a fun little surprise inside of them.
Like many of the other customers, I will be back to Tim Ho Wan just for the char siu bao. 🙂 It’s that good!
Can you believe I still haven’t tried Tim Ho Wan until now? LOL! I have to get me some of those Pork buns!
Haha I know many people like you, so there’s no surprise. I don’t eat pork normally, but Tim Ho Wan made me and I’m glad I didn’t regret the opportunity. 🙂
Great review! Those Steam Spinach Dumpling with Shrimp look AMAZING! I love dumplings so much, especially chicken dumplings <3
Thanks, Angelic! Food has great value so come on in and don’t be shy. 🙂
omg this restaurant looks amazing!!!! Dumplings are one of my favorite foods and those shrimp ones are definitely drool worthy 😉
Yup, quality is high. I love those shrimps!
I love Tim Ho Wan! Try din their hakaw mwahahaha I always tell my friends they should have add more varieties to their pork bun. Maybe we should start a business concentrated on that hehe
Yeah their hakaw seem plump and really good. I will try that next time. 🙂 Haha you can try researching first how the best pork bun is done.
i only like their buns and that’s it. sorry, the rest is just meh, if not over-hyped. there’s a lot of better dimsum places in Binondo, in my honest opinion. try Dong Bei. the star awarded by the Michelin Guide only applies to the specific place where it’s bestowed (meaning the hole-in-the-wall in Hong Kong) and should not be associated with its branches or franchise. the one here is fairly commercialized.
all that said, i really love their buns! ^_^
[…] 128, 3 pieces) because I have heard from several friends how these buns taste better than those of Tim Ho Wan. My verdict? They are right! These pork buns have a crisp, sweet, streusel-like top that flakes […]