[Melaka] Tim Ho Wan @ Hatten Square Melaka

• Rating: 4.5 out of 5
• Price range: RM8 - RM25 per dish
• Non-halal
• Ambience: Restaurant
• Style of cooking: Chinese
• Address: Hatten Square G-055 Jalan Merdeka, Bandar Hilir (Opposite Cafe Benne)
• URL: https://www.facebook.com/TimHoWanMalaysia

Not a new news anymore, Tim Ho Wan, a dim sum restaurant known for its one Michelin star reputation, has expanded their territory to Melaka early this year. The original store in Mongkok is a brainchild of Mak Kwai Pui, a renowned chef who earned his three Michelin stars from Lung King Heen restaurant. The menu is the standard Tim Ho Wan menu, noticeably a few items missing, like the wanton noodle. 

For those who have dined in other Tim Ho Wan before, there is not much differences, except few dishes are taken off the menu and also significantly low crowd, hence no queue! And for those who have not tried Tim Ho Wan, some dishes are remarkable, however, there are also average ones.

On the top of the list of their menu is the "Four Heavenly Kings" ( 四大天王点心) which consists of Baked Bun with BBQ Pork (RM10.80 for 3 buns), Pan Fried Carrot Cake (RM9.80 for 3 pieces), Steamed Egg Cake(RM7.80) and Vermicelli with Pig's Liver (RM10.80).  Of the four heavenly kings, we highly recommend the baked bun. The pastry is sweet and crusty filled with steaming hot BBQ pork (char siew). The others were not as good as how they were advertised.   

A dim sum meal is never complete without dumplings. There are a few selections of steamed and fried dim sums. The one most ordered are the Pork Dumpling with Shrimp (siew mai) (RM10.80 a basket) and Prawn Dumpling (har gao) (RM11.80 per basket). For other steam cooking options, there are Spinach Dumpling with Shrimp (RM7.80) and FIsh Maw with Prawn Paste. 

Fried food lovers do have their options on the menu too. The Wasabi Salad Prawn Dumpling (RM10.80) is the only fusion food on the menu. The typical Chinese prawn dumpling is fried until golden and topped with wasabi mayonnaise and fish row. Our favourite on the "fried" category is none other than the Beancurd Skin Roll with Shrimp, a thin and crispy layer of beancurd skin wrapped around fresh shrimps.

Not to be missed, the Beef Ball with Beancurd Skin (RM7.80) has tender soft and juicy texture. The beef ball is mixed with herbs and rested on small pieces of tofu skin. If you are feeling exotic, go for the Braised Chicken Feet with Abalone Sauce (RM9.80). Although it tasted really good, nonetheless the chicken feet is not meaty.

Although the Pork Rib with Black Bean Sauce and Beancurd Skin Roll with Pork & Shrimp tasted really good, we find that it is overrated to order at Tim Ho Wan. There are other dim sum shops that serve equally good dishes like these for a fraction of the price. These are the dishes which you can omit to save some space for desserts.

On the menu, there are three rice dishes, we managed to try two of it and both are recommended.Glutinous Rice in Lotus Leaf (RM12.80) is an essential dish in most Chinese restaurant. the rice is enriched with flavors from the pork filling and lotus leaf. Meanwhile, the Chicken Sausage & Mushroom rice has a different character to its taste. The soy sauce and sesame oil based brings out the fragrance of the chicken and mushroom. It is one hell of a comfort food. 

Lastly, we ended our feast with the Tonic Medlar & Osmanthus Cake (RM6.80) which is a herbal jelly infused with goji berry and osmanthus flower tea. Do not leave the restaurant until you try this. 

Tim Ho Wan has a typical Chinese restaurant set up. Unlike other outlets, the branch in Melaka is almost empty on weekdays. On weekends, the queue is normally long, however it does not take a long time to be seated.