Tim Ho Wan bridges dim sum craftsmanship across generation

Hong Kong-based Tim Ho Wan has teamed up with dim sum master Fu Sing (pictured centred) to create a limited-time nostalgic dim sum series, paying homage to Hong Kong’s storied teahouse culture.

This builds on Tim Ho Wan’s founding philosophy, a commitment since 2009 to preserving Hong Kong’s dim sum heritage through authentic craftsmanship and accessible pricing.

In a conversation with MARKETING-INTERACTIVE, Lisa Leung, vice president of global product and marketing at Tim Ho Wan, said that the campaign targets a broad audience. "While older generations can enjoy a taste of nostalgia, the hope is that younger audiences will also learn about and try these nostalgic dim sums, some of which they may not have even heard of," she said. 

To revive nearly forgotten techniques from a bygone era while ensuring authentic reproduction of classic flavours, Tim Ho Wan has partnered with Fu, a 95-year-old dim sum master with over 80 years of experience, who personally oversaw the development of the nostalgic dim sum series. Fu entered the trade as an apprentice at age 13 and has since mastered hundreds of traditional dim sum recipes.

Under the collaboration between Fu and the Tim Ho Wan culinary team, five iconic dishes inspired by 1950s–1960s Hong Kong flavours will be available at all outlets until 30 June. They are also being launched across Asian branches to share authentic dim sum and the spirit of Hong Kong with the world. The menu includes the crispy nut lard bun and the olive kernels and preserved pork thousand-layer cake. Contemporary twists include the quail egg siu mai with XO sauce, lard mixed rice, and homestyle silver needle rice noodles.

Additionally, a corner of the Tim Ho Wan K11 Art Mall store has been transformed into a 1960s-style "old tea house" pop-up, allowing customers to capture the essence of old Hong Kong. According to Leung, this pop-up was specifically launched for a younger audience, with the hope that they can enjoy great dim sum while taking photos.

To further bridge the gap between tradition and the contemporary dining scene, Tim Ho Wan invited local singer-songwriter Gareth T. to the official launch of the dim sum series to experience the heritage delicacies firsthand and try his hand at the meticulous craft of dim sum making. Under the guidance of Fu during this hands-on exchange, Gareth T. shared the artistry of handcrafted cuisine with a younger generation.

To celebrate the golden age of Hong Kong teahouses, Tim Ho Wan is hosting an exclusive "Nostalgic Cantopop Dim Sum Party" on 23 May at its Tsim Sha Tsui K11 Art Mall branch. DJ Beat Friday will spin Cantopop hits from the 1960s to the 2000s, creating a lively atmosphere that blends music with the ongoing citywide nostalgia trend.

Guests will enjoy the five signature items from the Nostalgic Dim Sum Series, along with unlimited servings of selected dim sum, desserts, and beverages, including one bottle of Tim Ho Wan's branded beer. Priced at HK$500 per person, this one-night-only event is open exclusively to customers who have dined at Tim Ho Wan within the past 30 days.

Leung said ROI is measured mainly by brand awareness, including reach and impressions, with the goal of driving love from Hong Kong consumers, becoming number one, and creating buzz, where brand affinity is the top priority, followed by dim sum sales.

"Tim Ho Wan is not just about creating new dim sum experiences ; through our passion and craftsmanship, we strive to deliver authentic, classic flavours to all dim sum lovers. Despite the material abundance of modern life, people still hold a unique sentimental attachment to the tastes of the past. By introducing this nostalgic series, we hope to allow guests to rediscover those treasured flavours and sentiments, and to evoke warm, shared memories."

“In this era, fewer young people are entering the trade, and many restaurants have pivoted to pre-prepared foods. Authentic, handmade dim sum is becoming a rarity," said Fu. "I wish to pass these skills to the next generation to preserve our culinary heritage." 

Don’t miss: Tim Ho Wan celebrates dim sum culture with FAMA

Back in January, Tim Ho Wan tapped local duo FAMA to promote the debut of its brand-new "Baked buns twin delight", sparking fresh taste sensations for the new year.

Bringing together the brand's iconic baked BBQ pork filling with an elevated truffle chicken flavour, the all-new, limited-time “Baked buns twin delight” combines tradition with creativity to deliver a dual flavour experience.

Mark your calendars for 24 June! #Content360 Hong Kong returns with a dynamic, one-day event dedicated to pivotal trends—from the silver economies to breakthrough IP collaborations, sports, and beyond. Let's dive into the art of curating content with creativity, critical thinking and confidence!

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