Marco Polo Chinese Cuisine Dim Sum

Marco Polo Chinese Cuisine, with its storied legacy as one of the stalwarts of Kuala Lumpur’s Chinese dining scene, evokes memories of grand banquets and elegant meals. Situated in the heart of the city, the restaurant holds a reputation for its timeless approach to Cantonese cuisine.

During this visit, we opted for their dim sum offerings, a category where tradition often dictates excellence. The dim sum items sampled included Siew Mai, Har Gao, Cheong Fun, and the unique Bacon Roll.

Siew Mai (RM12.80) which is staple dim sum, was delivered well with plump portions and a good balance of flavour, enhanced by the topping of bright roe. It was a reliable choice that satisfied my expectations. The generous size worked in its favour too.

Unfortunately, the Har Gao (RM16.80) faltered due to its delicate skin, which clung stubbornly to the bamboo steamer, tearing and leaving the filling exposed and leaving it in a unseemly state of undress. While the shrimp itself was fresh, the texture issue was a significant distraction from the overall experience.

The Char Siew Hong Kong Chee Cheong Fun (RM11.80) lacked the smooth, silky texture I favour when it comes to cheong fun. Instead it had a slightly powdery quality. The soy sauce accompaniment was standard and the dish failed to impress me.

The truly standout item was the Bacon Roll (RM10.80), these morsels wrapped in bacon offered a savoury kick. The accompanying sauce, with its tangy-sweet notes, complemented the dish well and made it the highlight of the meal.

Total price paid for 4 items plus a pot of tea (and service charge plus taxes) was RM76.80.

Marco Polo Chinese Cuisine may be a classic establishment, but for discerning dim sum aficionados, the meal may fall short of the high expectations set by its illustrious history.