🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Hat Yai dim sum is different from the leisurely yum cha you find elsewhere — this is a proper meal, not an afternoon tea ritual. Locals eat dim sum instead of breakfast before heading to work. Baskets start at just ฿16–25; you order several and round it out with cheung fun or a hot bowl of bak kut teh. The classics you'll see everywhere: shrimp-and-pork shumai, translucent ha gao, stuffed bao, chicken feet in red sauce, and braised pork bones. We've ranked these by how much people talk about them, and confirmed every one is still open.
10 Hat Yai Dim Sum Spots Locals Wake Up For
Chok Dee Dim Sum
The name everyone gives you when you ask a Hat Yai local where to eat dim sum. The place spills across several shophouses, steamers keep arriving fresh one basket at a time, and the portions are generous. The ha gao and shumai are the crowd pleasers, but the real draw is the bak kut teh — a rich, herbal pork rib broth that smells incredible. Queues run long on weekend mornings, though tables turn fast.
Suan Siri Dim Sum
Going strong for over 25 years, this is a true morning-only shop that closes before noon. The menu covers everything — bao, shumai, ha gao, sticky rice with chicken, chicken feet, cheung fun. Many Hat Yai residents grew up eating here. No frills, shophouse setting, easy on the wallet.
Kuk Chai Dim Sum
A popular spot on Thung Sao Road, with locals coming through from breakfast to lunch. Known for taro fritters, fish cake, and a shrimp-and-pork shumai that holds its shape well. You can eat in or grab it to go. Prices are slightly higher than the basic spots, but consistency is there.
Kho Nang Dim Sum
One of the older shops in Hat Yai, running for over 30 years. They steam fresh all day, which sets them apart — the shrimp-pork shumai has a good chew, and the herbal pork bone soup is a quiet highlight. Because they stay open until evening, you don't have to drag yourself out of bed at dawn. A good pick if you're not a morning person.
Hat Yai Dim Sum
Centrally located on Niphat Uthit 1 Road, this one is walkable from a lot of hotels in the main district. Solid, classic dim sum across all the standard baskets, with Hong Kong-style egg noodles available if you want something more filling. A practical choice for visitors staying downtown who want breakfast close by.
Ah Ma Dim Sum
A recently refreshed space that's more comfortable than the typical shophouse setup. The selection is good and organized, and the regulars from the Thamnoon Withi area keep coming back. Some evenings (Thursday through Sunday) they open a second service, which is handy if you missed the morning window. Delivery available too.
Dim Sum 108
Near Gate 108 of Prince of Songkla University, this is the go-to for students and staff in the area. Cheapest baskets on this list. Open for both morning and evening sessions. The menu covers shumai, ha gao, bao, and cheung fun — nothing fancy, but solid value for money.
Pakdee Dim Sum
A no-nonsense morning shop in the Phetchakasem–Suphasarn Rangsarn area. Morning only, then it's done. Dim sum, shumai, bao, fried rice, pork bones — the kind of place locals stop at before work. Relaxed neighborhood atmosphere, inexpensive.
Zaina Dim Sum
A larger place with parking, easy for groups or families who don't want to squeeze into a shophouse. Open from early morning through the afternoon, with a full dim sum selection. There's also a steamed fish with vegetables dish that stands out from the usual menu. Good if you want to sit, eat slowly, and not feel rushed.
U Fu Dim Sum Café
A café-style take on dim sum, out in Ban Thung Ri, Kho Hong. The fried dim sum and pork shumai are well made, and the atmosphere is more relaxed than the traditional shophouse experience — good for a slower late-morning sit-down. Open until evening but closed Wednesdays. Check before you go.
Tips for Dim Sum Regulars
The crowd favorites — shrimp ha gao and crab shumai — sell out fast in the morning rush. If you want the full selection, aim to arrive before 8am. Famous spots like Chok Dee get packed on weekends; weekday visits are noticeably more relaxed. Most shops are cash only, so bring THB with you.
Want to taste deeper? Try a Songkhla food tour or cooking class
Half a day with a local who knows the lanes — or cooking a dish yourself — teaches you more than just eating. Book ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide.
How to Pick the Right Spot for Your Trip
- You want the legendary one, even if there's a queue — Chok Dee Dim Sum is the name locals say first. Build in time to wait.
- Staying downtown and want to walk there — Hat Yai Dim Sum on Niphat Uthit 1 and Ah Ma on Thamnoon Withi Rd are both in the hotel district.
- Not a morning person — Kho Nang stays open until 18:00 and Zaina until 16:30. You can sleep in and still make it.
- Coming in a group and want proper parking and space — Zaina and U Fu Café have more room than the typical shophouse spots.
- Watching the budget — Dim Sum 108 and Pakdee have the cheapest baskets and great value.
Good to Know Before You Go
Most Hat Yai dim sum shops are strictly morning operations — open from around 6am, with many closing before noon. If you sleep past that window, pick one of the all-day spots like Kho Nang or Zaina. The system at most places is simple: grab baskets from rolling carts yourself, or order from the staff. You pay at the end by how many baskets you ate. The natural pairing is hot Chinese tea or old-school drip coffee. Some shops take days off mid-month or close on certain weekdays — it's worth checking their Facebook page or calling ahead before making a trip.
Honest Take
Places like Chok Dee are genuinely loud and packed on holidays — the food is worth it, but not everyone loves eating elbow-to-elbow. If you'd rather eat in peace, spots like Pakdee, U Fu Café, or a late visit to Suan Siri are just as satisfying with shorter waits. The quality gap between the famous names and the quieter ones is smaller than their reputations suggest.
Plan a full eat-and-explore trip to Hat Yai and Songkhla
See the Songkhla Travel Guide →