📝 The Full Story
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 instead. The original storefront is a different experience from a full-service branch. 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 a new one in a big mall, always 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 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.
🌍 Branches I Keep Going Back To
This is a family of rooms, so one address is only part of the story. These are the locations from this review.
Original Xinyi Road
FavoriteThe original storefront in Da'an. It is now a different experience from a full-service branch.
Taipei 101
The mall and the observatory are mandatory. This branch is busy.
Xinyi A4
Another Xinyi branch, close to Taipei 101, in Shin Kong Mitsukoshi A4.
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.
🍴 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.
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. I would dare you to try the original Xinyi Road shop in Da'an. The original storefront is now a different experience from a full-service branch.
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, Westfield Valley Fair in Santa Clara, and Century City after landing in 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.
