Here's a Solid (And Cheap) Dim Sum Restaurant in Shanghai

Found! A solid Chinese restaurant for dim sum in Shanghai: Han Lin Xuan. It’s tasty AND cheap. Dim sum is served daily.

About Han Lin Xuan

Chinese restaurant for dim sum in Shanghai: Han Lin Xuan.

Han Lin Xuan (翰林轩) has been around for more than 20 years, founded in 2003. It’s located on the fifth floor of the Lane Crawford mall on Huaihai Zhong Lu.

The main dining hall is spacious, but if you’re looking for some privacy, they have many private rooms. Private rooms don’t have a minimum spend, but they do charge a 10% service fee.

Deals - 32% Off Dim Sum

Chinese restaurant for dim sum in Shanghai: Han Lin Xuan.

Currently, they have a running deal of 32% off selected dim sum, which covers quite a few of the signature dim sum dishes. Until when does this deal run out? “Not sure,” said the receptionist. But it is currently running!

Their Dianping page has a ton of other deals from 10% off to dim sum sets for two for ¥228.

Dim Sum To Order

The main menus are bilingual, but the dim sum ordering leaflet is only in Chinese. English menus are available upon request. Prices for the dim sum dishes are marked by small (小, ¥22), medium (中, ¥26), large (大, ¥32), special (特, ¥36), and “top” (顶, ¥42).

Here's what to expect:

Chinese restaurant for dim sum in Shanghai: Han Lin Xuan.

Shrimp Dumpling (¥42, 晶莹鲜虾饺)

Chinese restaurant for dim sum in Shanghai: Han Lin Xuan.

Crispy Cheong Fun with Shrimp (¥42, 春风得意肠)

Chinese restaurant for dim sum in Shanghai: Han Lin Xuan.

Beef Cheong Fun (¥32, 陈皮牛肉肠)

Chinese restaurant for dim sum in Shanghai: Han Lin Xuan.

Charsiu Cheong Fun (¥32, 香菜叉烧肠)

Chinese restaurant for dim sum in Shanghai: Han Lin Xuan.

Mushroom, Prawn, Meat Shaomai (¥36, 怀日北菇烧卖皇)

Chinese restaurant for dim sum in Shanghai: Han Lin Xuan.

Xiaolongbao (¥42, 上海小笼包)

Chinese restaurant for dim sum in Shanghai: Han Lin Xuan.

Siu Yok (¥108, 澳门烧腩仔)

Chinese restaurant for dim sum in Shanghai: Han Lin Xuan.

Charsiu (¥78, 蜜汁叉烧)

Chinese restaurant for dim sum in Shanghai: Han Lin Xuan.

Charsiu Bao (¥26/three, 港式叉烧包)

Chinese restaurant for dim sum in Shanghai: Han Lin Xuan.

Tripe (¥42, 紫金酱金钱肚)

Chinese restaurant for dim sum in Shanghai: Han Lin Xuan.

Pan-Fried Radish Cake (¥26/three, 香煎萝卜糕)

Chinese restaurant for dim sum in Shanghai: Han Lin Xuan.

Prawn Spring Rolls (¥36/three, 鲜虾炸春卷)

Chinese restaurant for dim sum in Shanghai: Han Lin Xuan.

XO Fried Radish Cake (¥36, X0酱炒萝卜糕)

Chinese restaurant for dim sum in Shanghai: Han Lin Xuan.

Sweet & Sour Pork

Chinese restaurant for dim sum in Shanghai: Han Lin Xuan.

Beef Balls (¥32, 时菜牛肉球)

Chinese restaurant for dim sum in Shanghai: Han Lin Xuan.

Fermented Bean Steamed Ribs (¥42, 豉汁蒸肉排)

Chinese restaurant for dim sum in Shanghai: Han Lin Xuan.

Almond Balls (¥32, 杏片金沙球)

Chinese restaurant for dim sum in Shanghai: Han Lin Xuan.

Egg Tarts (¥26/three, 港式鸡蛋挞)

Chinese restaurant for dim sum in Shanghai: Han Lin Xuan.

Mango Pudding (¥42, 杨枝甘露)

Chinese restaurant for dim sum in Shanghai: Han Lin Xuan.

Sesame Balls (¥26/three, 通心煎堆)

In Summary

I'd give their Shrimp Dumplings a 7/10. It's pretty good! Other highlights include the tripe, which was cooked to a tender finish, the fluffy charsiu bao, and the crispy cheong fun. The Cantonese-style roasts were also good — the charsiu was superior to the siu yok. Don't miss the sesame balls! I'd definitely come back.

Service isn't the best, but food does come out quick and piping hot.

Expect to pay less than ¥180 with the discount of 32% off. (Without drinks)

Han Lin Xuan 翰林轩
Click here for the venue listing.