Cha Lao Dim Sum: Authentic pushcart-style Cantonese artisanal dim sum in JB with tong sui trolley

For Singaporeans, no Causeway adventure to JB — jam or no jam — is complete without an exciting hunt for delicious dim sum. The only problem? Some of these spots are only accessible by car or are surrounded by, well, nothing interesting. If you’ve never visited Cha Lao Dim Sum, it’s time you did!

Located right next to KSL Mall at Holiday Villa Johor Bahru City Centre, this 6-year-old establishment serves over 35 varieties of Cantonese dim sum. As you enter, you’re invited to peek into the chefs’ domain through a round window, where you can witness the magic unfold as culinary masters handcraft each piece of dim sum.

Head to the cosy main dining area, or explore their new section that transports you straight to a Hong Kong cha chaan teng.

Growing up, one of the simple joys of dim sum was the sight of old-fashioned pushcart trolleys — now a rarity. Guess what? Cha Lao Dim Sum brings back the nostalgia, making its rounds table by table, inviting customers to take their pick.

What I tried at Cha Lao Dim Sum

To kick off my dim sum feast, I momentarily ditched the fancy, exotic options and went back to basics to put their quality to the test. No surprises here — I began with the classic Siew Mai (RM9.80) and the Steamed Prawn Crystal Dumpling (RM9.80).

The pieces of Siew Mai were firm and juicy, bursting with the savoury-sweetness of the pork and prawn mixture that was flawlessly seasoned.

Was the Steamed Prawn Crystal Dumpling equally impressive? Absolutely. The skin was chewy yet soft, encasing delightful pieces of prawns. Even when I went back for it after it had cooled down, it still retained its pillowy texture. And so, we’re off to a strong start!

I was pretty excited when the plate of Stir Fried Radish Cake with Beansprout (RM8.50) landed on my table. Even before it made its grand entrance, my sharp sense of smell had already caught a few tempting whiffs of its drool-worthy aroma.

Sautéed with egg, taugeh, and chives, each cube of golden-brown radish cake was perfectly fried to a crisp, enhancing its already-satisfying smoky wok hei flavour. Beneath all that, a subtle kick of spice made its presence known only after a while.

Do you love the thin, crunchy sweet layer of a crème brûlée? Now imagine that on a Portuguese Egg Tart (RM8.80). This, my friends, has got to be one of the best versions I’ve had in a long, long time!

As soon as my teeth sank into the caramelised sugar top, I was greeted by an unctuous egg filling, all encased in a perfectly flaky shell that was shatteringly crispy.

The Steamed Rice Roll with Char Siew (RM10.50) was neatly presented in a pool of soy-based gravy, served with sambal on the side.

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The rice sheets were slithery smooth and soft like clouds, filled with bits of char siew that were dotted with coriander slivers. The meat filling resembled my favourite char siew bao, a combination I find utterly irresistible.

The sambal was a great addition, bursting with umami-rich notes of dried shrimp.

The attention-to-detail on the Apple Bun (RM12.80) made it look like it came straight from the supermarket’s fruit section.

In case you were wondering, it’s filled with tau sar (nope, not apples) that was rich, smoky, and wasn’t overly sweet.

The Steamed Black Sesame Bun (RM12.80) bore an uncanny resemblance to giant shiitake mushrooms. Eat with caution — black sesame lava bursts forth the moment you sink your teeth into the soft bun. It’s rich and nutty with that signature gentle bitterness at the end.

If black sesame isn’t your cup of tea, there’s also the Steamed Custard Bun with Salted Egg Yolk (RM12.80) for that surge of creamy, savoury salted egg goodness.

I went for one of their latest creations — the Vegetable Prawn Dumpling (RM9.80). Stuffed with fresh prawns, carrot strips, and fragrant chives, each bite delivered a satisfying mix of textures and tastes.

If you’re a fan of deep-fried or baked treats, there’s a variety of options waiting for you to indulge in.

If you think the dim sum pushcarts are the only ones roaming the floor, hold onto your spoons! Cha Lao Dim Sum also has tong sui trolleys offering desserts that are homemade daily.

The cold Mango Pomelo Sago (RM8.50) and hot Black Sesame Paste (RM6.50) were the perfect finale to balance the hearty dim sum feast. There are other options like Lemongrass Jelly (RM6.50), too!

Final thoughts

Authentic Cantonese dim sum that’s 100% made-by-hand, convenient location, and comfortable ambience — what more can you ask for?

Though its prices may be higher than those of other establishments, the quality definitely justifies the cost.

With Cha Lao Dim Sum nestled in one of my all-time favourite hotels in JB for a staycation, I can picture myself dropping by for multiple visits in future to explore their other offerings. So the next time you’re planning a trip to JB, be sure to add this place to your list.

Expected damage: RM10 – RM40 per pax

* This post is brought to you in partnership with Cha Lao Dim Sum.

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