Bao Teck Tea House in Penang
Most of us tend to leave hearty breakfast affairs for the weekends, as we’re often rushing to get to work on weekdays. If you’re on the hunt for a new dim sum spot in Penang to get you excited for breakfast staples of egg tarts and siew mai on your day off, drop by Bao Teck Tea House.
The elaborately-decorated tea house on Lebuh Melayu opened their doors in July 2020. Find an indoor moss garden and antique furniture to remind you of Penang’s well-known history museum, Peranakan Mansion – except you’ll get to dine on dim sum selections of pau to dumplings while taking in the restaurant’s lavish decor of the yesteryear.
Moss garden and lavish furnishings in a heritage house
Image credit: @lynyee
Many of us make a trip out to heritage towns such as George Town and Melaka for a taste of the old and cafes with vintage decors. Bao Teck Tea House does not disappoint here, as they are located in a heritage building that’ll make you feel as if you stepped into a lavish Peranakan house of the 1920s.
From the front of the house, with its old Chinese wooden doors and windows, to the dining space that boasts old-fashioned tile floors and marble and teak furniture – everything is tastefully decorated for an authentic nostalgic vibe.
Image adapted from: @iam_wilbur and @harriet_how
As they are a tea house that specialises in fragrant Chinese teas, there’s even an indoor moss garden inspired by serene Chinese gardens to take in while you gorge on food and tea for a zen affair. The feature even emits mist, which makes for some pretty epic food photos.
Image credit: @maurisa.c
But it’s not all just vintage-looking Chinese furniture and fixtures, and gardens from the past here. Walk up to the 2nd floor of this dim sum parlour and you’ll see another dining area with lavish French-inspired decor, including prints of famous European art in golden frames, and velvet seats and curtains.
Image adapted from: @dexren
While you won’t see the food carts being wheeled past dining tables that you can stop to snag down all your favourite dim sum choices – a common feature in old-school dim sum restaurants – you can expect to see dim sum served in typical bamboo steamers for a classic dim sum fare.
There are also high tea sets available if you prefer to not order a la carte dishes.
Image credit: @allboutfoodss_19
Feast on dim sum and sip on premium Chinese teas
Image credit: @joeycafe
Start your meal here by choosing your preferred tea. There are 9 Chinese teas (from RM36/pot), such as Lu Bao Tea, Oolong Tea, and White Tea, to choose from. Or opt for English tea (RM38/pot) options of Earl Grey or Rooibos, or bring your own tea, which they’ll also brew for you at a fee of RM5/pax.
Then, have your pick of steamed buns, dumplings, pastries, and dim sum specials from their menu. For starters, go with their staple dim sum offerings of Bao Teck Siew Mai (RM8.80/3pcs), flakey Signature Egg Tarts (RM8.80/3pcs), and Bao Teck Prawn Dumplings (RM9.80/3/pcs) with generous prawn fillings.
Image adapted from: @s.p.funz
You’ll want to give their recommended menu items a try too. Prawn Dumpling Noodle Soup (RM16.80) is a hearty, wanton mee soup with generous servings of prawn-filled dumplings. Or go with their fluffy Snowy Char Siew Bun (RM8.90/3pcs) and Golden Radish Cake (RM8.80/6pcs), or crispy lo bak gao.
Swing by between 2PM and 5PM if you want try their high tea (RM34/pax) set. It comes with 5 savoury and dessert dishes, such as their Ko Cha Siew Pao, Signature Egg Tart, and Mystery Garden, which is a dessert dish of sour plum jelly with fresh fruit. The set even comes with a pot of tea too.
Image credit: @__darrenyang__
Bao Teck Tea House is a new dim sum parlour in Penang
Dim sum is a common breakfast staple among the Chinese community in Malaysia, and you’ll see it served in many places, from street food stalls to eateries to restaurants. But if you’re looking for a place to amp up your dining experience with lavish furniture set inside a heritage building, drop by Bao Teck Tea House.
Address: 25, Lebuh Melayu 10100 George Town, Penang
Opening hours: 8AM-8PM, Daily
Telephone: 04-263 1100
Bao Teck Tea House Facebook
More spots to check out:
- 10 IG-worthy cafes with delicious food
- Sunset viewing spots for cosy date nights
- Hin Bus Depot is a bustling arts and culture hub
- 11 dim sum places in Ipoh
- 9 Chinese restaurants in Cyberjaya