Tak Fu Dim Sum Emperor Scarborough Review – Casual Dim Sum with Mixed Results – Average EV Score: 6.1/10
Reviewed by Tastes of Ottawa
Each dish is rated using our EV Score (Enjoyment-to-Value Score), based on enjoyment, price paid, and benchmark pricing.
Table of Contents
Tak Fu Dim Sum Emperor Restaurant Overview
633 Silver Star Blvd, Scarborough, ON M1V 5N1
Tak Fu Dim Sum Emperor is a casual dim sum restaurant located in Scarborough with one major practical advantage: plenty of parking. The restaurant sits in a plaza with a large shared parking lot, making it easy to access without worrying about street parking or tight downtown spaces.
The atmosphere is very casual and straightforward, exactly what you’d expect from a neighbourhood dim sum spot. It’s not aiming to be upscale or modern — it’s functional, busy, and focused on serving food efficiently. When we visited, the service was friendly, and dishes came out pretty quickly, which is always appreciated during dim sum where you’re ordering multiple plates.
The overall experience felt relaxed and efficient. However, as with many dim sum restaurants, the quality varied from dish to dish.
Would return? Maybe.
Beef in Soup
Enjoyment: 5.5/10
Price Paid: $10
Benchmark Price: $10
EV Score: 5.5/10
Order Again? No.
The Beef in Soup from Tak Fu Dim Sum Emperor was unfortunately one of the weakest dishes of the meal.
The broth itself had a decent flavour — light and comforting. However, the beef was very chewy and not tender at all. After trying one piece, it became clear that it wasn’t worth continuing. Tenderness is crucial in a simple dish like this, and without it, the dish falls apart.
This is one I would not order again.
Beef Rice Noodle Roll
Enjoyment: 5.5/10
Price Paid: $8
Benchmark Price: $8
EV Score: 5.5/10
Order Again? No.
The Beef Rice Noodle Roll (Cheung Fun) was just okay.
The biggest issue was the wrapper, which was thicker than ideal. A great rice noodle roll should have a silky, delicate texture. This one felt heavier and slightly doughy.
The beef filling itself lacked flavour and felt fairly plain. Some restaurants include cilantro for added freshness, but this version was just beef and wrapper. It wasn’t bad, just uninspiring.
Casserole Rice – Chicken Feet & Pork Ribs Rice
Enjoyment: 6.5/10
Price Paid: $11
Benchmark Price: $11
EV Score: 6.5/10
Order Again? Maybe.
The Casserole Rice with Chicken Feet and Pork Ribs was a stronger dish.
The rice was nicely cooked, absorbing flavour well. The pork ribs were tender and fell off the bone easily, which made the dish comforting and hearty.
It wasn’t the best claypot rice I’ve had, but it was satisfying and well executed.
Deep Fried Triangle Dumpling
Enjoyment: 7/10
Price Paid: $6
Benchmark Price: $6
EV Score: 7/10
Order Again? Yes.
The Deep Fried Triangle Dumpling from Tak Fu Dim Sum Emperor was one of the highlights.
It had a great crispy texture, with a satisfying crunch on the outside. The pork filling inside was generous and flavourful. The balance between crispy shell and savoury filling worked well.
This is definitely something I would order again.
Honey BBQ Pork Pastry
Enjoyment: 6.5/10
Price Paid: $7
Benchmark Price: $7
EV Score: 6.5/10
Order Again? Yes.
The Honey BBQ Pork Pastry from Tak Fu Dim Sum Emperor was another strong performer.
The pastry was crispy and flaky, breaking apart nicely with each bite. The BBQ pork filling was well seasoned with a pleasant sweetness.
This classic dim sum item was executed properly and was easy to enjoy.
Hot Sesame Sauce Jellyfish
Enjoyment: 6.5/10
Price Paid: $9
Benchmark Price: $9
EV Score: 6.5/10
Order Again? Yes.
The Hot Sesame Sauce Jellyfish was surprisingly good.
The jellyfish had excellent texture — firm but not rubbery. The addition of peanuts added crunch, and the sesame-based sauce had a subtle heat that enhanced the dish without overpowering it.
A solid option if you enjoy jellyfish.
Shrimp Rice Noodle Roll
Enjoyment: 5.5/10
Price Paid: $9
Benchmark Price: $9
EV Score: 5.5/10
Order Again? No.
The Shrimp Rice Noodle Roll from Tak Fu Dim Sum Emperor had the same issue as the beef version — the wrapper was too thick.
The shrimp itself was nicely cooked, with a good bouncy texture. But the thicker wrapper took away from the silky mouthfeel that makes great cheung fun stand out.
Overall, average.
Steamed BBQ Pork Bun
Enjoyment: 6/10
Price Paid: $7
Benchmark Price: $7
EV Score: 6/10
Order Again? Yes.
The Steamed BBQ Pork Bun from Tak Fu Dim Sum Emperor was quite good.
The bun was soft and fluffy, with a good amount of BBQ pork filling. The sweetness and savouriness were balanced nicely.
Reliable and satisfying.
Steamed Sweet & Creamy Bun
Enjoyment: 5.5/10
Price Paid: $7
Benchmark Price: $7
EV Score: 5.5/10
Order Again? No.
The Steamed Sweet & Creamy Bun from Tak Fu Dim Sum Emperor was decent but unremarkable.
It wasn’t overly sweet or poorly made. It simply didn’t stand out compared to other dishes on the table.
Final Thoughts
Tak Fu Dim Sum Emperor delivers a convenient and casual dim sum experience in Scarborough, especially with its large parking lot and quick service.
The meal had a mix of highs and lows. The Deep Fried Triangle Dumpling, Honey BBQ Pork Pastry, Casserole Rice, and Steamed BBQ Pork Bun were solid. However, the Beef in Soup was disappointing due to tough meat, and both rice noodle rolls suffered from overly thick wrappers.
Overall, this is a middle-tier dim sum experience — not terrible, but not top-tier either. If you’re in the area and want a convenient, friendly spot for dim sum, Tak Fu can satisfy the craving. Just choose your dishes carefully.
If you’re looking for another dim sum restaurant, check out Kingsfield Chinese Cuisine.