Best Dim Sum in Honolulu (Oahu)

We are lucky to have many great dim sum options in Honolulu! From Jade Dynasty to Kapiolani Seafood Restaurant, Tim Ho Wan Waikiki and more, here is where we go for the Best Dim Sum in Honolulu ^_^

Sesame shrimp mousse and eggplant at Jade Dynasty.

Going for dim sum (aka yum cha) is a popular thing to do in Honolulu.

Dim sum at Tim Ho Wan - Waikiki.

We have dim sum at least once a week. Sometimes the whole extended family goes and we get a big table for 12 (more people means more variety).

Sometimes I go with mom and dad. On weekdays, it's just grandma and myself.

Pineapple-stuffed black rice mochi at Tim Ho Wan - Waikiki.

When we want dim sum, we say "let's go yum cha." Yum cha is a Cantonese phrase that translates to drink tea. Somehow that also means dim sum.

On Tuesdays, I pick up grandma from her house. I'll ask, "yum cha, ma?" That means, let's go yum cha, yeah? Of course she'll be like, yes!

Lotus leaf sticky rice at Tim Ho Wan - Waikiki.

Below are the four main restaurants we like to visit. I've listed them in the order of which ones we visit most. Enjoy ^_^

Shrimp and chive buns at Jade Dynasty

Jade Dynasty Seafood Restaurant

All the great dim sum restaurants used to be located in Chinatown. But with Jade Dynasty in Ala Moana Center, it's nice to have a more convenient and easy to access location. Plus, there is plenty of free and easy parking! Jade Dynasty meets at the ideal intersection of legit/authentic and accessible to people who might not have dim sum regularly. 

Pros:

• Located in Ala Moana Shopping Center. Location is convenient (and you can go shopping or eat even more after). Parking is free and abundant.
• This is an ideal place for big family/friends gatherings and to bring visiting guests. Not only does Jade Dynasty "look good" when you bring people, it also tastes super good.
• This is also where my grandma prefers to meet her friends for lunch.
• Favorite dishes: monthly dim sum specials (always pictured at the front of the menu), chiu chow dumplings, baked snow mountain char siu buns, and pan-fried shrimp and chive buns.

Snow mountain char siu buns at Jade Dynasty

Cons:

• Gets crazy crowded during peak lunch hours on the weekends. 
• If you go on a weekend, go about 10 minutes before opening. Or go about 1.5 hours after opening, so that you can get a seat after the first tables turn.
• They have one cheong funn machine so sometimes cheong funn orders take super long (or they tell you it's not available/backed up) on many occasions.

Info: Jade Dynasty Seafood Restaurant | 1450 Ala Moana Blvd #4220, Honolulu, HI 96814 | 808-947-8818 | jadedynastyhawaii.com

Kapiolani Seafood Restaurant

Kapiolani Seafood Restaurant is the newest one on this list, and we've been going here a lot! They're in the old MW Restaurant space (across the street from Ala Moana Center). Big menu, clean space, decent service. Good food and larger than usual portions make this a popular spot. On weekends, I like to come in the morning (they open at 9am) for a quieter, peaceful dim sum time. It starts to get crowded around 10:30am, and then really busy during prime lunch hours.

Pros:

• Big dim sum menu, with several dishes that you don't often see at other restaurants like the beef tendon look fun sizzling pot and stir fried turnip cakes with xo sauce.
• The individual dim sum pieces are on the larger side - this might be a con for purists (feels like delicate), but I feel the general response is that people feel like they're getting a good value.
• This is a popular spot for takeout, and they have the takeout system organized pretty well.

Cons:

• The free parking lot often fills up. There is street parking nearby, but best to come on the early side if you want to park in the free lot.
• When it gets crowded the service can be very slow.
• Try go on the earlier side as they are often out of many dishes by the afternoon.

Info: Kapiolani Seafood Restaurant | 1538 Kapiolani Blvd #107, Honolulu, HI 96814 (located right behind Pho Saigon) | 808-946-8688 | instagram.com/kapiolaniseafoodrestaurant

YYK Dim Sum (Takeout Spot Only)

YYK used to have sit down restaurant next to Ala Moana and a takeout spot inside Ala Moana. They closed the restaurant, but the takeout spot is going strong. They're located inside the upstairs food court (near Macy's), and this place always seems to be busy. Sometimes I get takeout and eat there for a quick solo lunch (there's plenty of seating). And sometimes we get a lot of takeout for dim sum dinner at home...always satisfies.

Pros:

• Who doesn't love a grab and go takeout dim sum option! Especially when it's in a convenient location. No need to call to place an order ahead of time.
• Generally good quality and fresh.
• Great for when you're one person but craving dim sum.

Cons:

• On the pricey side, especially for certain items.
• They can be stingy with the soy sauce, hot mustard, etc. Make sure to ask if you want, and specify which items and how many.
• They charge a credit card fee, and for takeout bags (I just bring my own bag).

Info: YYK Dim Sum | The Lanai Food Court inside Ala Moana Center, 1450 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96814 | 808-955-7478 | yykdimsum.com

Eggplant with shrimp at Tim Ho Wan - Waikiki.

Tim Ho Wan - Waikiki

Tim Ho Wan is a famous dim sum chain from Hong Kong. It's also known as the world's most affordable Michelin-starred restaurant! Their Hawaii location is in the Royal Hawaiian Center in Waikiki.

Note: they moved locations in late 2024. Same building, same floor, just a different side of the building. The original location had indoor and outdoor seating. The new location has only indoor seating. Totally fine, I prefer the indoor seating because it can get humid outdoors. Tim Ho Wan is one of the nicer dim sum spots in town. 

Pros:

• Located in Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, right in the center of Waikiki. Free 1-hour parking with validation ($25 purchase minimum). 
• If you're kama'aina, you can get free 3-hour parking with validation ($25 purchase minimum). Save your receipt and get validation at Helumoa Hale Guest Services on the first floor.
• Look out for the Hawaii-only special items. These include pan-fried black rice mochi filled with pineapple and steamed fish bundle with pineapple.
• Favorite dishes: bbq pork buns, steamed bean curd stuffed with shrimp, siu mai, and deep-fried eggplant with shrimp.

Cons:

• There are also Tim Ho Wan locations in Hong Kong, NYC, California, and many other places, so it feels less "special."
• Slightly more pricey than all the other Honolulu dim sum options

Info: Tim Ho Wan | 2233 Kalakaua Ave Suite B-303, Honolulu, HI 96815 | 808-888-6088 | timhowanusa.com

Friday lunch at Tai Pan Dim Sum

Tai Pan Dim Sum

Tai Pan is a longtime local favorite, and also a very ideal spot for small groups and solo dim sum lunches. Located inside the Chinatown Cultural Plaza, Tai Pan is a low key, reliable dim sum (and noodle soup!) restaurant. 

Pros:

• This is our go-to for takeout and catering dim sum. Think large orders for office parties, birthday parties, potlucks, etc. 
• Tai Pan has been around forever, and I still enjoy it here solo for a bowl of preserved egg and pork jook and ong choy with garlic. Sometimes I come with my dad, one bowl of beef brisket noodle soup each. It's less chaotic than the other places.
• Favorite dishes: baked char siu bao, preserved egg jook, beef brisket noodles, and steamed lotus sticky rice

Cheong fun wrapped you tiao at Tai Pan Dim Sum

Cons:

• The interior feels a bit worn down.
• Chinatown location not the most convenient. They have a validated parking garage, though it gets packed on weekends. Parking garage entrance is on Maunakea Street (between N Kukui Street and N Beretania Street). FYI: If you're just going for pick-up/takeout, I always call my order in advance, park in the covered street level loading area and run in super fast to pick-up.

Info: Tai Pan Dim Sum | 100 N Beretania St Honolulu, Hawaii 96817 | 808-599-8899

Lunch at Legend Seafood

Legend Seafood

One of the originals, the grand classics of Honolulu dim sum. They've got variety and quality going for them. Legend Seafood is the only restaurant on this list that rolls out all the dim sum carts (it gets pretty wild on weekends). 

Pros:

• The grandaddy of Honolulu dim sum. This is as traditional as it gets, complete with dim sum carts, stamp cards, organized chaos, and that energetic dim sum vibe that feels just right.
• Weekend late mornings capture the full essence of dim sum here. There are crowds of diners waiting outside for their numbers to be called, the giant dining room is packed (all that natural light is nice), and service is quick and efficient.
• Favorite dishes: steamed lotus sticky rice, pan-fried turnip cake, curried tendon, dan tat (especially when it comes super hot from the oven) and half-moon.

Dim sum at Legend Seafood

Cons:

• We've known the owners since we were little kids. They recently sold the restaurant to new owners, and some say it's not as good during dinner. But grandma says the dim sum is still as good as ever.
• Legend Seafood is located in the same plaza and Tai Pan, so same parking situation. Make sure you get your parking ticket validated. 

Info: Legend Seafood | 100 N Beretania St Honolulu, Hawaii 96817 | 808-532-1868 | legendseafoodhonolulu.com