A love letter to Din Tai Fung
Why go: Groups, travelers, and anyone who wants a taste of Taiwan
Order: Xiaolongbao
This is more than a review. It is a love letter to one of my favorite restaurants in the world.
I first tried Din Tai Fung in Hong Kong. In Kowloon I remember a branch with a Michelin star: one of those starred restaurants you actually had to try because it was affordable. I had no idea that this chain, and Taiwan itself, would become such a fun tradition in my life.
Din Tai Fung, or DTF: Down to Foodie. For me, it has become one of the flavors of Taiwan. Anyone who visits the island learns that locals really push this place. Friends in Taipei keep inviting me, and I usually let them order so I can learn what they love.
If you want the fancy location, there are a few in Xinyi. Taipei 101 (mall and observatory are mandatory) is busy. There is another one close by at A4. I dare you to try the original Xinyi Road shop in Da'an. That original is now takeaway-only. For dine-in, the Xinsheng flagship is across the street.
If you are elsewhere in the world, go to one of the big ones. The Las Vegas branch is one of my favorites: inside ARIA, on the casino floor, windows looking toward Vdara and Nancy Rubins' Big Edge, that large cactus-like sculpture. That view is part of what makes it fun. Westfield Valley Fair is the Bay Area mall branch, and where I occasionally end up for brunch. Los Angeles has many; Century City is one in a big mall, close after landing at LAX. There is still no San Francisco branch, which is fortunate: it stays something I look forward to when I travel.
In October 2026 I went to the Santa Monica Place branch. The Taiwanese cabbage was a very interesting surprise. Highly recommend it, and the wood ear mushrooms; they complement anything you order. For something different, get the kimchi and pork dumplings, unlike anything I've tried at other Din Tai Fungs.
In Taiwan I always go to Din Tai Fung. Get the xiaolongbao, the chilled cucumber salad with chili oil, and the soups. The hot-and-sour soup is amazing, and the chicken soup is really well done. Pot stickers are a must. Far from Taiwan, their boba tea is also good; in Taiwan, try other boba shops. Have the specialties at the restaurant, including the dessert xiaolongbao. They experiment with flavors and local stuff at many branches. It is always worth it.
Din Tai Fung is Taiwan. We should all try the flavors of this country. It has become a huge American business, but it still earns that loyalty. Worth it, and affordable for groups.
Guest perspective
A friend on Din Tai Fung
A friend has been to Din Tai Fung about fifty times. Her take:
The xiaolongbao skin is very thin and the broth is rich and juicy. A million branches from this chain and the quality is still there. They understand consistency.
Hot and sour soup is in the favorites. And don’t forget to order the dessert baos. They know how to do desserts.
Map and directions
What to order
Xiaolongbao
The soup dumplings that made the chain famous. Eighteen pleats, thin skin, hot broth. Always start here, including the dessert versions.
Chilled Cucumber Salad with Chili Oil
Cold, crunchy cucumbers in chili oil. The first thing I order every time I sit down.
Hot-and-Sour Soup
Bright, spicy, and one of the soups that makes me keep coming back.
Chicken Soup
Clean, well-made chicken soup. Simple, and really well done.
Pot Stickers
Crispy-bottom dumplings. A must.
Dessert Xiaolongbao
Sweet soup dumplings and other dessert specials. They experiment with flavors and local stuff in many branches.
Boba Tea
If you are far from Taiwan, their boba tea is also good. In Taiwan, I would recommend trying other boba shops.
Taiwanese Cabbage with Garlic
A very interesting surprise at Santa Monica Place. Highly recommend it; it complements anything you order.
Wood Ear Mushrooms in a Vinegar Dressing
Had them at Santa Monica Place. Highly recommend; they complement anything you order.
Kimchi & Kurobuta Pork Dumplings
For something different. Unlike anything I've tried at other Din Tai Fungs. Had them at Santa Monica Place.
If you're visiting Din Tai Fung
- Which Din Tai Fung should I visit in Taipei?
- The Taipei 101 mall and the observatory are mandatory, and that branch is busy. There is also another one close at A4, in Shin Kong Mitsukoshi. The original Xinyi Road shop in Da'an is now takeaway-only; for dine-in, the Xinsheng flagship is across the street.
- Is Din Tai Fung only a Taipei restaurant?
- No. It is a chain, and that is part of the fun. I first tried it in Kowloon, Hong Kong, at a Michelin-starred location. I keep going back in Taipei, and I have favorites at ARIA in Las Vegas and Westfield Valley Fair in Santa Clara. Los Angeles has many, including Century City after landing at LAX. There is still no San Francisco branch, so it remains something I look forward to when I travel.
- What should I order at Din Tai Fung?
- Xiaolongbao first, then the chilled cucumber salad with chili oil. Get the hot-and-sour soup and the chicken soup. Pot stickers are a must. It is worth having the specialties at the restaurant, including the dessert xiaolongbao. Far from Taiwan, their boba tea is also good; in Taiwan, try other boba shops.
- Is Din Tai Fung expensive?
- It is one of those Michelin-starred restaurants that you had to try because it was affordable. In Taiwan it is still a great value. It has become a huge American business, but it still earns the loyalty, especially for groups.
Branches I keep going back to
Hong Kong, Kowloon
In Kowloon I remember visiting one with the Michelin star award.
ARIA Resort & Casino
FavoriteThe restaurant's windows look toward Vdara and Nancy Rubins' Big Edge installation, the large cactus-like structure.
Westfield Valley Fair
This is the mall branch for the Bay Area, and where I occasionally end up for brunch.
Century City
A new one in a big mall. Los Angeles has many options, but this is always close after landing in LAX.
Santa Monica Place
Outdoor patio space, great on a nice day. Very close to the Santa Monica Pier, easy parking. Visited Oct 2026.
Restaurant details
Fri, Aug 28, 2026
Da'an District, Taipei
Walk in. The original Xinyi Road shop is takeaway-only now; for dine-in, use the Xinsheng flagship across the street, Taipei 101, A4, or one of the big locations abroad.
By Christian Van Der Henst
More places to eat in Taipei: the CookFoodie Taipei guide