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Hong Kong Dim Sum
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Makati, Philippines

Tim Ho Wan

CuisineChinese, Dim Sum
Price$10–20per person
ReservationsWalk-ins welcome
Dress CodeCasual

Our verdict

The menu centres on the steamed and baked dim sum categories that earned the original Hong Kong branch its star, priced at a tier that undercuts the CBD's white-tablecloth rooms considerably.

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Tim Ho Wan restaurant in Makati, Philippines

The menu

What to order

  • Baked Bun with BBQ Pork
  • Beancurd skin roll with pork and shrimp
  • Steamed egg cake
See the current menu on timhowan.com →
About
The original Tim Ho Wan opened in Mong Kok, Hong Kong, in 2009 and was awarded a Michelin star within a year of opening, a distinction that gave it an outsized reputation relative to its modest format: a compact, counter-style dim sum room serving a focused menu at prices well below what a starred restaurant would typically command.

The neighbourhood context matters here. It is a transit point, a retail hub, and a working lunch corridor. Tim Ho Wan's format, walk-in friendly, fast-paced, focused on shared plates, fits the rhythm of that environment more naturally than the longer, more ceremonial formats at places like Asador Alfonso in Cavite for a different regional register entirely. Within Parañaque, Linamnam represents the archipelago's home-cooking tradition at a more intimate scale. Tim Ho Wan's position in this map is clear: it is the entry point for a globally recognised dim sum format, in the city's most accessible retail-dining corridor, at a price point that sits below the white-tablecloth tier. Casual chain formats like Gerry's Dumaguete operate in the same broad accessible-dining tier but in an entirely different cuisine register: grilled Filipino comfort food versus Cantonese dim sum.enprimeurclub.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Tim Ho Wan?

Tim Ho Wan is located at Glorietta 3, Ayala Center, Makati City, 1224 Metro Manila, Philippines, Makati.

How does Tim Ho Wan in Makati compare to other dim sum options in Metro Manila?

The Glorietta 3 location places Tim Ho Wan inside the Ayala Center corridor, which already concentrates a range of Chinese and pan-Asian dining. What separates it from most local competitors is the brand's direct lineage to a Hong Kong operation that received Michelin recognition, a verifiable credential that few dim sum outlets in the Philippines share. Within Makati specifically, it occupies the space between casual teahouse formats and the Cantonese dining rooms found in the CBD's larger hotels.

What's the signature dish at Tim Ho Wan?

The baked BBQ pork bun, a dish the Hong Kong original built its reputation on, is the item most associated with the Tim Ho Wan name across all its locations, including Makati. Unlike the steamed version common at other dim sum houses, this baked rendition has a slightly crisp, glazed shell. It is the reference point against which regulars at the Glorietta 3 outlet measure consistency.

Do I need a reservation for Tim Ho Wan?

Tim Ho Wan at Glorietta 3 operates within the Ayala Center complex, which draws steady foot traffic from CBD workers, shoppers, and MRT commuters throughout the day. Queue times during weekend brunch and weekday lunch peaks can be substantial. Checking current booking policy directly at the venue or via the mall's dining directory is the most reliable approach, as walk-in availability shifts with the day and hour.

What is Tim Ho Wan known for?

Tim Ho Wan originated in Hong Kong as a dim sum operation that drew Michelin recognition at its source location, a credential that gave the brand its international profile. The Makati outpost at Glorietta 3 carries that lineage into the Philippines, serving Cantonese dim sum formats including har gow, siu mai, and the baked pork bun that anchors the menu. Its positioning is accessible dim sum with a documented Hong Kong pedigree, sitting inside one of Metro Manila's most connected retail and dining complexes.

Do they accommodate allergies at Tim Ho Wan?

Cantonese dim sum kitchens typically operate at volume, and cross-contact with shellfish, gluten, and soy is common across most preparations.

Is Tim Ho Wan worth the price?

Tim Ho Wan's positioning across its Philippine locations has consistently sat below the price tier of hotel Cantonese restaurants in Makati while referencing a brand with Michelin-recognised roots in Hong Kong. For dim sum in the Ayala Center precinct, it offers a documented point of comparison against the local Chinese-Filipino restaurant circuit. Whether the per-head spend suits depends on what you're benchmarking against, hotel yum cha or the neighbourhood teahouse.

The Quick Read

Comparable venues nearby, for context on price, style, and recognition.

Details
Vibe
  • Lively
  • Trendy
Best For
  • Casual Hangout
  • Family
  • Brunch
Experience
  • Open Kitchen
Menu Format
  • A La Carte
  • Small Plates
Dietary
  • Vegetarian Friendly
Noise LevelLively
CapacityLarge
Service StyleCasual
Meal PacingQuick Bite
KitchenTraditional
Visit details

Current opening hours

Monday
10 AM–9 PM
Tuesday
10 AM–9 PM
Wednesday
10 AM–9 PM
Thursday
10 AM–9 PM
Friday
10 AM–10 PM
Saturday
10 AM–10 PM
Sunday
10 AM–9 PM

Hours can change for holidays and private events. Hours as of .

Lively and spacious with Chinese-inspired interior, ideal for daily dining in a bustling mall atmosphere.