Came to Gim Cheng at Taman Daya this morning - this large corner kopitiam type dim sum shop is the most popular in JB to my knowledge.
Gim Cheng was busy as ever this Saturday morning - the whole place was full and there were customers waiting for tables. Most customers were family groups, often three generations.
Stay calm.
Service is fast and friendly. Table turn over is pretty quick and table sharing with friendly strangers is the norm.
(Gim Cheng used to have those traditional dim sum trolleys which they wheeled around the shop but not anymore 😔 Now dim sum is served in trays.)
The boss was extremely busy steaming the baskets of dim sum.
Gim Cheng serves a wide range of dim sum (around 60 varieties), including some which I have not seen before.
We don't know the names of some of the items, just how it tastes. Shrimp and salted egg yolk dumpling works pretty well for us.
The humble fried carrot cake 萝卜糕 was pretty good with soft mash and bits of carrot with dried shrimps wrapped inside that crispy browned skin.
The obligatory siew mai 烧卖. Took this meaty filling staple unconsciously by habit.
Deep fried yam dumpling with char siew filling 芋角. Delicious.
Seafood (shrimp) dumpling.
The classic deep fried then braised chicken claw. Not pretty but yummaey.
Shrimp and minced pork wanton. More minced pork than shrimp.... .
Steamed pork ribs.
The only sauce provided is generic chili out of a squeeze bottle.
All these food and a pot of Chinese black tea for RM47.20 (2016 price). We over ate quite a lot so that we can have enough pictures for this post 😄
There are many other dim sum which we have to take a rain check for. Best to come for dim sum with a larger group of 4 and more so that we can try lots of different dishes.
Yong tau foo chili with fish paste filling.
Egg tarts we didn't have tummy space to try this round.
We got not enough stomach space to try Gim Cheng's pau (steamed buns) but looking at the queue for the take away, I guess they should be pretty good.
The boss was extremely busy steaming the baskets of dim sum.
Gim Cheng serves a wide range of dim sum (around 60 varieties), including some which I have not seen before.
We don't know the names of some of the items, just how it tastes. Shrimp and salted egg yolk dumpling works pretty well for us.
The humble fried carrot cake 萝卜糕 was pretty good with soft mash and bits of carrot with dried shrimps wrapped inside that crispy browned skin.
The obligatory siew mai 烧卖. Took this meaty filling staple unconsciously by habit.
Deep fried yam dumpling with char siew filling 芋角. Delicious.
Seafood (shrimp) dumpling.
The classic deep fried then braised chicken claw. Not pretty but yummaey.
Shrimp and minced pork wanton. More minced pork than shrimp.... .
Steamed pork ribs.
The only sauce provided is generic chili out of a squeeze bottle.
All these food and a pot of Chinese black tea for RM47.20 (2016 price). We over ate quite a lot so that we can have enough pictures for this post 😄
There are many other dim sum which we have to take a rain check for. Best to come for dim sum with a larger group of 4 and more so that we can try lots of different dishes.
Yong tau foo chili with fish paste filling.
Egg tarts we didn't have tummy space to try this round.
We got not enough stomach space to try Gim Cheng's pau (steamed buns) but looking at the queue for the take away, I guess they should be pretty good.
2023 prices for tau sah bao (RM2.70), char siew bao (RM3.10), liu sah bao (RM6.30), big bao (RM6.30), lo mai gai (RM6.30), lotus leaf rice (RM6.30), etc.
👍 Overall, Gim Cheng's dim sum is hearty and delicious, though neither dainty nor exquisite. The large family oriented crowd gives the casual space a homely, comfortable ambiance. Located next to a large canal but it is clean with no smell. Despite the crowd, service is very quick and cheerful. Prices are competitive with similar kopitiam type dim sum places. This is one of JB locals' favourite dim sum shop. Try to be here by 9am so that most of the popular dim sum are still available.
There is plenty of parking right in front of Gim Cheng but there is never enough on weekends.
Pro Tip: There is more parking at the back of Gim Cheng, just around the corner.
Restaurant name: Restoran Gim Cheng 锦成茶楼
Address: 2 Jalan Sagu 36, Taman Daya, Johor Bahru
GPS: 1.549307,103.76485 / 1°32'57.5"N 103°45'53.5"E
Tel: +607 351 7898 +60 16-712 1257
👍 Overall, Gim Cheng's dim sum is hearty and delicious, though neither dainty nor exquisite. The large family oriented crowd gives the casual space a homely, comfortable ambiance. Located next to a large canal but it is clean with no smell. Despite the crowd, service is very quick and cheerful. Prices are competitive with similar kopitiam type dim sum places. This is one of JB locals' favourite dim sum shop. Try to be here by 9am so that most of the popular dim sum are still available.
There is plenty of parking right in front of Gim Cheng but there is never enough on weekends.
Pro Tip: There is more parking at the back of Gim Cheng, just around the corner.
Restaurant name: Restoran Gim Cheng 锦成茶楼
Address: 2 Jalan Sagu 36, Taman Daya, Johor Bahru
GPS: 1.549307,103.76485 / 1°32'57.5"N 103°45'53.5"E
Tel: +607 351 7898 +60 16-712 1257
Hours: 7:00am to 1:00pm (Closed on Weds)
Non Halal
Non Halal
Johor Bahru 4 Mar 2012. Gim Cheng 锦成茶楼 is a favourite dim sum joint among locals in Taman Daya, Johor Bahru and has a following also from Singapore
Gim Cheng offers a wide range of fresh traditional tim sum served hot in push carts or on trays.
Like many family owned and run restaurants, the boss is personally on hand to ensure the quality of the food and service.
So it is not surprising that even though we were rather random in our pick of dim sum, they all turned out to be delicious.
I especially liked the custard egg tarts. The fragrant pudding is smooth and creamy while the crust is fluffy, crispy and flaky.
I love the ambiance of this place. Parking is easy. The dining area is bright, airy and cool under the shade of large trees. The clientele is convivial. Very relaxing and cosy. The service is efficient, responsive and friendly. A perfect place for a tasty and sumptuous traditional Chinese breakfast and tea without burning a hole in the pocket. By the way, all that delicious food and drinks set us back by a reasonable RM55.70 (SGD23 in 2012 prices).
👉 A local JB folk favourite. Cosy, simple place for nice, freshly made kopitiam style dim sum at affordable prices.
👉 A local JB folk favourite. Cosy, simple place for nice, freshly made kopitiam style dim sum at affordable prices.
Restaurant name: Restoran Gim Cheng 锦成茶楼
Address: 2 Jalan Sagu 36, Taman Daya, Johor Bahru
GPS: 1.549307,103.76485 / 1°32'57.5"N 103°45'53.5"E
Tel: +6016 712 1257
Hours:
Non Halal
Written by Tony Boey on 4 Mar 2012 | Reviewed 4 Dec 2022
🎗 Opinions in this blog are all my own as no restaurant paid money to be featured.
To ensure neutrality, this blog is powered by voluntary contributions from appreciative readers to Tony Boey Johor Kaki PAYNOW 96888768 in Singapore $.
I went to Gim Cheng this morning for my breakfast(9 dec 17). I understand that it opens only at 7am and came 7.30am. As I as with my mother, I was just out of filial piety and unknowingly and polite asked the owner lady(about 50 yrs old) for a flask of tea, thinking my old mother could drink some tea before the dimsums are ready. Anyway it was 7.30am, way passed opening time of 7am. I was told in a very cold and unfriendly manner to just sit down and way and when they are ready, they will come to us, that do not bother them now that kind of attitude. Wow...I was totally taken aback by this poor response of hers! Yes, I do agree their dimsums are nice, but I really think they are not as friendly or customer friendly as before. I dont think my comments are unethical as I see it as a way to provide feedback for the owner to improve and do better in their service. I felt so unwelcomed and will think less of coming to this shop. I want to think they were busy but business has not started then and I received such cold attitude. I felt really lousy on that day when eating at the place.
ReplyDeleteI went to Gim Cheng this morning for my breakfast(9 dec 17). I understand that it opens only at 7am and came 7.30am. As I as with my mother, I was just out of filial piety and unknowingly and polite asked the owner lady(about 50 yrs old) for a flask of tea, thinking my old mother could drink some tea before the dimsums are ready. Anyway it was 7.30am, way passed opening time of 7am. I was told in a very cold and unfriendly manner to just sit down and way and when they are ready, they will come to us, that do not bother them now that kind of attitude. Wow...I was totally taken aback by this poor response of hers! Yes, I do agree their dimsums are nice, but I really think they are not as friendly or customer friendly as before. I dont think my comments are unethical as I see it as a way to provide feedback for the owner to improve and do better in their service. I felt so unwelcomed and will think less of coming to this shop. I want to think they were busy but business has not started then and I received such cold attitude. I felt really lousy on that day when eating at the place.
ReplyDeleteIs it easy to get Grabs back to custom ?
ReplyDeleteGenerally speaking I did not have any difficulty getting Grab so far in JB (from Tony)
DeleteLawrence Chan said in Johor Kaki Facebook:
ReplyDelete"Dont like it here as it is self service. Cannot go alone as u need to lick up ur own food and by the time you want to go back to ur own table the place ald place taken up...lousy system here. Never thk of going back the Food quality so so only"
Peter Low said on Johor Kaki Facebook:
ReplyDelete"The tart was good last time, but now it has differed a bit. Hope they improve soon."
Too highly rated
ReplyDeleteBack then years ago it was good, Uncle Tony's review is not inaccurate from the time of publish. Readers should be aware of this before deciding on their itinerary.
ReplyDeleteBecause too many Singaporeans came to visit which also make them super popular, as well as hordes of the super kiasu ones already start queuing at 6 plus where the sun is barely out, Gim Cheng's standards have gradually dropped over the years. Not just rude service, but their prices also went up so much that drove away their fellow Johoreans/Malaysians (don't blame the locals for feeling upset with us, it's absolutely true that Singaporeans are driving up JB's inflation). Now it's just a so-called "must-visit" tourist hotspot by the many rubbish food/travel websites and bloggers out there (except our Uncle Tony here).
In short, this place has become overrated like a few has already commented here. Do consider other F&B establishments in the vicinity. No need to die die go to Gim Cheng as if it's the only dim sum place to go.