Best Handmade Pau in Singapore

1.   Mei Kee Handmade Pau @ Lor 4 Toa Payoh, #01-301 Block 66, Singapore 310066.   The Char Siew Pau it turned out to be a simple but very satisfying treat.  The first thing I noticed was the texture of the pau itself. The skin was smooth, soft and nicely made, with a pleasant texture that was easy to bite through. There was no excessive sweetness or heaviness in the pau skin, allowing the filling to stand out.

Inside was a generous portion of char siew, which had a nice savoury-sweet flavour and complemented the soft pau perfectly. The char siew was tender enough to enjoy without being overly fatty, and the sauce gave the filling an additional depth of flavour. Every bite had a good balance between the fluffy pau and the tasty char siew inside.

What I liked most was its simplicity. There was nothing overly fancy about this char siew pau — just a well-made pau with a good filling, which is exactly what I look for when buying traditional handmade pau. 

2.  Ah Hao Handmade Dim Sum @ 47 Serangoon North Avenue 1 - This humble dim sum stall is run by an incredibly hardworking couple, and you can immediately taste the passion and dedication that goes into every piece they make. Unlike many commercial outlets, every dim sum here is handmade fresh, and the quality shines through in every bite.

I never miss their Siew Mai, which is juicy and flavourful. Their char siew pau is another favourite, but be warned—it sells out quickly, a testament to its popularity among regulars. My absolute favourite, however, is the Steamed Beancurd Skin Dumpling. Wrapped in delicate beancurd skin and filled with a delicious, well-seasoned filling, it is simply outstanding and one of the best I've tasted.

Another must-order is their Lor Mai Kai, featuring fragrant glutinous rice with tender chicken that is steamed to perfection.

If you're looking for authentic, handmade dim sum crafted with care rather than mass-produced offerings, this little stall is well worth visiting. Supporting passionate hawkers like this hardworking couple makes every meal even more enjoyable.