If you're looking for an authentic dim sum experience in Taipei, 10th Floor 金獅樓 in Ximending is a must-visit. This long-standing restaurant has been serving traditional Cantonese cuisine for decades, making it a favorite among locals and travelers alike. Its nostalgic atmosphere, combined with delicious dim sum, offers a rare glimpse into classic Chinese dining culture.
Ambiance & Atmosphere
Located on the 10th floor of an old building, 金獅樓 retains the charm of a bygone era. The moment you step in, you're greeted with an elegant yet slightly retro interior, featuring large round tables, red tablecloths, and golden decorations reminiscent of traditional Hong Kong tea houses. The setting is perfect for family gatherings, business lunches, or simply enjoying a leisurely dim sum meal with friends.
Food & Menu Highlights
The restaurant specializes in authentic Cantonese dim sum, with a wide selection of steamed, fried, and baked delicacies. Some standout dishes include:
Shrimp Dumplings (Har Gow, 蝦餃) – Thin, translucent wrappers filled with juicy shrimp, perfectly steamed. Pork Siu Mai (燒賣) – A classic dim sum staple, these dumplings are packed with flavorful pork and shrimp. BBQ Pork Buns (叉燒包) – Soft, fluffy buns with a sweet-savory char siu pork filling. Turnip Cake (蘿蔔糕) – Crispy on the outside, tender inside, with a rich umami taste. Egg Tarts (蛋撻) – Buttery, flaky crust with smooth, sweet custard filling, a great way to end the meal. The restaurant also offers larger Cantonese dishes, including roast duck, stir-fried noodles, and seafood specialties, all prepared using traditional techniques. The tea selection is another highlight—try the Pu-erh or Jasmine tea, which pairs beautifully with the dim sum.
Service & Experience
Service here is efficient, though slightly old-school, which adds to the authentic experience. The staff may not be overly chatty, but they are professional and attentive. Since it's a popular spot, it’s best to arrive early or make a reservation to avoid long waits, especially on weekends.
Cultural Significance
金獅樓 isn’t just a place to eat—it’s a window into Chinese dining traditions. The dim sum culture, known as “yum cha” (飲茶), is about more than just food; it’s about socializing over tea and small plates, much like in traditional Cantonese tea houses. For those interested in Chinese culinary heritage, this restaurant offers a taste of authentic Hong Kong-style dim sum, which is becoming increasingly rare in Taipei.
Final Verdict
For those who love traditional Cantonese cuisine, 10th Floor 金獅樓 is a hidden gem in Ximending. It’s a place where history, culture, and food come together, offering a classic dim sum experience that’s becoming harder to find. Whether you’re a dim sum lover or a cultural explorer, this restaurant is well worth a visit.
Rating: 4.5/5
Pros: Authentic dim sum, nostalgic atmosphere, rich cultural experience. Cons: Can be crowded, service is efficient but not overly friendly. Recommended for: Food lovers, culture enthusiasts, and those looking for a traditional Cantonese dining...
Read moreI don't know this restaurant... But my parents watched a YouTube channel 高XX仔, plus, lots of people come, so we thought that was quite good so we come and try. However, it's not what I expected...
🍽️Normal Dinning Environment🍽️ I won't say it contains a clean or neat dining environment, but at least I can accept, that means BETTER THAN NOTHING.
👎🏻💁🏻♂️Services? 💁🏻♀️👎🏻 Hong Kong Restaurant (Cha-Chaan-Teng) Style Service, What's that mean? It means poor service... Even they see you wave the hand for taking order, those waiter or waitress would only pass a-side and ignore you, even you shout loudly? No help! 🤗
Hygiene Poor... We saw when the waiteress was setting up the table, the chopsticks🥢 fell down on the floor, the waiteress just pick them up and put it back on the table without cleaning or changing the new one... So...just suggest, you better clean twice before you using those bowls, chopsticks or spoons!
🥡🍵Food? 🥟🥡 Not bad, but still quite SALTY for me haha! 😹 NORMAL TASTE & LESS CHOICES! Basically, it's not bad but not that good or special, I won't recommended you to come or try haha! But you wanna come,...
Read moreWe tried this place 金獅樓, which was highly regarded by the locals and has tons of reviews. I was deeply, deeply disappointed. Food was 1.5 and cleanliness and service was a fat 0. We order 7 dishes and ran out of the door as fast we could. We left hungry and was disgusting both the food and cleanliness. I don't care much for cleanliness if the food was good.
If you want an recommendation, try Hung Jan dim sum. I'm highly picky with my food reviews (rarely give them) and I have to give this place 4.5 for the food and 5.0 for the cleanliness and service. Everything we order was on point and tasty. Eating dim sum for 30 years and this has become one my top 10 for sure.
This was one of the best place I've eaten in Ximending. You will not be disappointed. It maybe little expensive, but worth the...
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