This viral 4.8-star dim sum in Batam? Don't get your hopes too high
qponx
2026-03-05
Thinking of visiting the viral Si Fang Yuan dim sum in Batam? This review suggests tempering your expectations. Despite its high ratings, the experience is a mixed bag. Discover which dishes are surprisingly delicious, like the Curry Laksa Ramen, and which classics to avoid, such as the disastrous Xiao Long Bao. Get insider tips on scoring a discount, booking ahead, and making the most of your visit to this popular but potentially disappointing spot.
Before coming to Batam, my Xiaohongshu and Lemon8 feeds were flooded with posts about this dim sum place called [Si Fang Yuan][1], a high score of 4.8 on Google with 2100+ reviews, the photos looked super delicious, and there's always a long queue at the door on weekends… With all this hype, it has to be good, right?
Turns out… Anjay, I was honestly a bit disappointed. 😩
Just as Many Good Points as Bad Ones
To be fair, the ambiance is undeniably great. The Chinese-style decor is quite grand, the place is spacious, and the air conditioning is strong, making it very suitable for bringing the whole family to Nongkrong[2]. But when it gets crowded, it's as noisy as a wet market, and for some reason, I kept smelling essential oils, which was a bit distracting, haha.
As for the food, it's a case of Schrödinger's deliciousness. A few dishes were truly Mantap!
👍 Stir-fried Radish Cake with XO Sauce[3]: Full of wok hei, it was genuinely fragrant, just a little bit oily.
👍 Malay Curry Laksa Ramen[4]: The broth was so rich I almost wanted to get a portion to-go, definitely the best dish of the meal!
But! The main event, the dim sum, was a bit of a letdown…
👎 Xiao Long Bao[5]: The skin was as thick as a dumpling's, it tasted like it was leftover from the day before, with absolutely no soup inside—a total disaster!
👎 Most of the steamed items: They all gave me the feeling of being pre-made frozen products that weren't heated through properly[6], which is really unacceptable for a dim sum restaurant!
👎 Roast Duck: It was a bit dry and tough, felt like it was over-fried[7].
A bit painful for the wallet…
Honestly, the prices are on the high side for Batam. If it weren't for the 20% discount for paying before 10 AM[8], I would have given this meal a bad review for its value for money. The portion sizes are also questionable, like the pork ribs—when they came out, it was all bones[9], with hardly any meat.
Also, definitely don't order their drinks! The coffee and milk tea are all as bland as water[10], a total rip-off!
[An Insider's Guide to Avoiding Disappointment]
To sum it up, if you absolutely must go check it out, remember these tips to save money and hassle:
- 1. Time your visit for the discount! There's a 20% discount if you pay before 10 AM, this is the right way to do it.
- 2. Book in advance! If you're going on a weekend, you must book in advance via WhatsApp, otherwise, you'll be queuing until you question your existence[11].
- 3. Order what I recommend: For safe bets, order the [Stir-fried Radish Cake/Cheong Fun with XO Sauce] and the [Curry Ramen]. Be cautious with the steamed items, especially the Xiao Long Bao!
- 4. Take a taxi: They have very few parking spots, so during peak hours, it's best to just take a Gojek/Grab there to save yourself the trouble.
- 5. The chili sauce is a hidden gem: The chili sauce on the table is a pleasant surprise, it's very fragrant[12]! It goes well with everything, but be careful, as some of the stir-fried dishes are already quite spicy.
- The XO Sauce Fried Radish Cake has an incredible smoky aroma. A little oily, but a definite must-try [1].
- Malay Curry Soup Ramen is the star. The broth is so rich you'll want an order to-go. An absolute must-try [2].
- 4.8 on Google (2100+ reviews) [3] and constant weekend lines. This place is insanely popular in Batam. So what's the story?
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