Ging Sun Ho King of Bun Review: Popular HK Chain Opens In Tampines

Ging Sun Ho King of Bun opens at Tampines Mall

Easties have yet another reason to be happy with the opening of Ging Sun Ho King of Bun in Tampines. The popular Shanghainese chain from Hong Kong has set up its first international outpost right here in Singapore, at Basement 1 of Tampines Mall! Headed by former singer Oscar Siu, the brand currently has 13 outlets across Hong Kong. They offer legit yet affordable Shanghainese cuisine, from their famous sheng jian bao to pork chop and noodles.

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Food at Ging Sun Ho King of Bun

Ging Sun Ho is most known for their Signature Pan-Fried Pork Soup Bun ($5.80+) AKA sheng jian bao. Handmade fresh on-site and served as a trio, these sizeable buns come with a generous pork and soup filling that bursts upon biting. I was not careful and splashed the soup all over myself, so I’d advise you to read the instruction sheet on each table telling you how to enjoy these piping-hot buns without making the same mistake!

I was surprised to see how packed each bun was. The meat filling was savoury while the broth had a hint of sweetness, pairing well with the crispy-bottomed bao and nutty sesame seeds. This was one of the best pan-fried buns I’ve had in a while.

The Ging Sun Ho Dan Dan Noodles ($9.80++) is another not-to-be-missed item on the menu.

The broth was truly the standout here: you first get a nutty aroma and rich creaminess from the sesame, followed by a kick of spice right at the end. There was a slight sweetness that lingered on the palate, which I found addictive.

Do note that the soup had a discernible peanut taste that some might not be a fan of.

The silky smooth noodles came with a decent bite despite being left out for a while, while the minced meat added another layer of umami to the dish.

I thought the price tag for this main was reasonable too, considering its generous portion of noodles and flavour-packed soup.

Another main we enjoyed was the Signature Pork Chop with Veg Rice ($13++), where a slab of boneless fried pork chop is paired with the brand’s house-made veggie rice.

I can understand why this pork chop is a star item over at their Hong Kong outlets. When we tried it, we were surprised by how meltingly tender the meat was! The sweet and savoury marinade reminded me of prawn paste chicken, but a tad milder so that flavour of the pork could shine. Each bite was absolutely delicious, especially when paired with a scoop of the lard-infused, Shanghai-style vegetable rice.

If you’re dining in a group, consider getting their Pork and Chive Wontons in Spicy Sauce ($8++ for six) for the table. Tossed in a piquant, mala-esque chili oil, these slippery dumplings were the perfect sharing side.

There’s also the Scallion Oil Chicken ($16++), where half a chicken is poached and served with a light soya sauce.

Unfortunately, this chicken was the letdown of our meal. The pieces were too chunky and the meat was way too dry. Perhaps the kitchen team needed some time to iron out the cooking process for this protein, so I’d recommend skipping out on it and opting for their other dishes instead.

For drinks, you can expect classic HK beverages such as Hong Kong-Style Milk Tea ($4+) and Hong Kong-Style Lemon Tea ($4+). I preferred the latter as it was more refreshing and had a stronger tea fragrance.

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The Soya Milk with Grass Jelly ($4.50+) was equally delicious with its smooth grass jelly bits and creamy soya milk.

Ambience at Ging Sun Ho

Ging Sun Ho sits on the basement of Tampines Mall, a three-minute walk from Tampines MRT Station‘s Green Line exit. This is more of a dine-and-go, fast-casual spot; the space is rather small and cosy with booth seats, mimicking the classic cha chaan teng vibe you’ll find in Hong Kong. It’s also located right next to the escalator, so I think its ideal location will draw a crowd during peak mealtimes.

The verdict

I was not expecting to enjoy Ging Sun Ho King of Bun’s fare as much as I did. Their sheng jian bao and dan dan mian will certainly be on my mind for a while, before I return for a second visit after the restaurant officially opens on 5 September. Hopefully they’ll open an outlet that’s more central for those who don’t live in the East!

For more food in the East, specifically in Pasir Ris, check out our White Sands food guide! Otherwise, read our Cha Chaan Teng feature for a hidden Hong Kong cafe in Bendemeer that opens till late.

Address: 4 Tampines Central 5, #B1-K17/18, Tampines Mall, Singapore 529510
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 9:30pm
Tel: 8802 5426
Website
Ging Sun Ho is not a halal-certified eatery.

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Photos taken by John Lery Villanueva.
This was a media tasting at Ging Sun Ho King of Bun. 

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