4.7 stars on Google, but the reviews are a warzone? What's really going on with Shang Dimsum in Batam?
qponx
2026-03-06
Curious about Shang Dimsum's high 4.7-star rating despite a flood of bad reviews? This article dives into the popular Halal spot in Batam to uncover the truth. While the Laksa Lamian is a standout star, the dim sum quality can be a gamble. The biggest drawback is the notoriously slow service. Discover if its budget-friendly prices, great promotions, and Muslim-friendly prayer room make it worth the potentially long and chaotic wait before you go.
This place in Batam is seriously anjay, it boasts a high score of 4.7 on Google with nearly a thousand reviews, and it's incredibly popular. But when I clicked on the recent comments section, I almost thought I was in the wrong place—it was a mix of complaints and bad service reviews...🤔 Fueled by this curiosity, I decided to check it out for myself.
Bustling with people, inconsistent food quality
As soon as mealtime hit, a line had already formed at the door, just as expected[1], and the place was bustling inside, definitely had the vibe of a popular spot. The decor is a kind of minimalist Eastern style, but the background music was blasting so loud, it felt more suitable for Nongkrong and chatting rather than a quiet meal.
After sitting down, let's talk about the food first, since I came specifically for their Halal dim sum and lamian.
🍜 The Lamian was a real surprise! The Laksa Lamian[2] I ordered deserves high praise, the broth was incredibly rich, full of seafood flavor, and so comforting with every sip, Mantap! My companion's Wonton Noodle[3] was also good, the noodles were chewy and the broth was savory.
🥟 As for the Dimsum, well, it was a bit hit & miss. The soup in the Siew Long Bao[4] was decently plentiful, but some of the other dim sum items felt very average, and a friend even told me that the rice in the chicken rice they had before was dry and tough[5], the quality is kind of like opening a blind box.
Done with the praise, now for the honest truth
Alright, here comes the biggest flaw of this place—the service. Seriously, it was so, so, so slow! 🤯 I waited almost half an hour for my bowl of lamian to arrive[6], and during that time, I watched helplessly as the staff missed orders and delivered to the wrong tables, the whole scene was just chaotic. It's best to ask what's available for the day before ordering, because many items on the menu might be temporarily sold out[7], otherwise, you're in for a long wait.
A Guide to Avoid Pitfalls, A Must-Read Before You Go!
So, is this place actually worth visiting? My advice is to manage your expectations and just treat it like an upgraded Food Court.
- Zen-like Waiting: Be mentally prepared for a long wait, whether it's for a table or for your food. Highly recommend avoiding peak meal times!
- Price is King: The biggest advantage is that it's cheap, with prices similar to a food court[8]. If you're looking for value for money, go for it.
- Life Hack for Deals: Follow their Instagram, they often have promotions like buy-one-get-one-free dim sum[9]. Going for the discounts will make you feel like you've scored a deal.
- A Blessing for Muslim Friends: There's a super spacious and clean prayer room upstairs[10]. This deserves a huge thumbs up, it's very thoughtful!
- Parking is a Game of Chance: Parking spots at the front are very limited[11], so friends who are driving might need some time to find a spot.
- The Laksa Ramen's rich, savory seafood broth is pure comfort. Mantap![1] One slurp and you'll be hooked.
- Get Halal dim sum & ramen at food court prices[2]. A great value for Muslim friends—go for it!
- Follow their IG for 1-for-1 dim sum[3] deals. It's basically free! The joy of a good bargain, you know the feeling.
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