Tim Ho Wan restaurants coming to Australia

THE WORLD’s cheapest Michelin-starred restaurant, Tim Ho Wan, is set to serve its delectable dim sum in Australia early next year. Darren Boon has the details. 

Tim Ho Wan’s first outlet in Singapore was opened to much fanfare and overwhelming queues. Patrons waited for up to two hours to enjoy their dim sum! Photo: Darren Boon

Dim sum lovers, get your chopsticks ready! The world’s cheapest one-star Michelin restaurant, Tim Ho Wan, is set to open its first branches in Australia next year.

Tim Ho Wan was originally set up by former Four Seasons Hong Kong dim sum specialist Mak Kwai Pui in Hong Kong. Since its inception in 2009, the restaurant has been quite a hit – reportedly drawing long queues of eager customers everyday.

The outlets in Hong Kong’s North Point and Sham Shui Po have been awarded one Michelin star, which is an important award as it is regarded as a hallmark of fine dining quality.

Australia can expect the world’s cheapest one-star Michelin restaurant to open in early 2015! Photo: Darren Boon

The dim sum specialist is renowned for its “Four Heavenly Kings“, which include Baked Bun with BBQ Pork, Vermicelli Roll stuffed with the signature Pig’s Liver, Pan Fried Turnip Cale and Steamed Egg cake.

Sydney is reported to be the first city to welcome Tim Ho Wan in Australia next year. Among the three planned outlets, the first one is set to open in Chatswood in late February.

Melbourne can expect to see an outlet established in Chinatown in late March. Plans for an outlet in Brisbane as well as advance reservations to customers are also currently being considered.

Vince Howe, who is heading Tim Ho Wan’s Australian operations, admitted that “Australia was chosen before Europe and the US because our palates are tuned to Asian food”.

“Plus, the Aussies were the first foreigners to flood to Tim Ho Wan,” Howe further added.