# A love letter to Din Tai Fung > A love letter to Din Tai Fung: xiaolongbao, chilled cucumber salad, and the original Xinyi Road shop in Taipei, plus favorite branches worldwide. - **Restaurant:** Din Tai Fung - **City:** Taipei - **Neighborhood:** Da'an District - **Cuisine:** Taiwanese - **Rating:** 5/5 - **Price:** $$ - **Must order:** Xiaolongbao - **Ideal for:** Groups, travelers, and anyone who wants a taste of Taiwan - **Address:** No. 194, Section 2, Xinyi Road, Da'an District, Taipei 106 - **Phone:** +886-2-2321-8928 - **Website:** https://www.dintaifung.com.tw/eng/ - **Instagram:** https://instagram.com/dintaifung.tw - **Map:** https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Din+Tai+Fung+No.+194+Section+2+Xinyi+Road+Taipei - **Reviewed:** 2026-08-28 - **Author:** Christian Van Der Henst (Cvander) - **Canonical URL:** https://www.cookfoodie.com/reviews/din-tai-fung - **City guide:** Taipei: https://www.cookfoodie.com/wishlist/taipei ## Review 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. ## 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. ## Tips 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. ## Locations - **Original Xinyi Road** (Da'an District, Taipei): No. 194, Section 2, Xinyi Road, Da'an District, Taipei 106. Map: https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Din+Tai+Fung+No.+194+Section+2+Xinyi+Road+Taipei. The original storefront in Da'an. Now takeaway-only. For dine-in, the Xinsheng flagship is across the street. - **Taipei 101** (Xinyi District, Taipei): B1, No. 45, Shifu Road, Xinyi District, Taipei 110. Map: https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Din+Tai+Fung+Taipei+101+No.+45+Shifu+Road. The mall and the observatory are mandatory. This branch is busy. - **Xinyi A4** (Xinyi District, Taipei): B2, No. 19, Songgao Road, Xinyi District, Taipei 110. Map: https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Din+Tai+Fung+Shin+Kong+Mitsukoshi+A4+Songgao+Road+Taipei. Another Xinyi branch, close to Taipei 101, in Shin Kong Mitsukoshi A4. - **Hong Kong, Kowloon** (Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong): Shop 306, 3/F, Silvercord, 30 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong. Map: https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Din+Tai+Fung+Silvercord+30+Canton+Road+Tsim+Sha+Tsui+Kowloon. In Kowloon I remember visiting one with the Michelin star award. - **ARIA Resort & Casino** (Las Vegas Strip, Las Vegas): 3730 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89158. Map: https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Din+Tai+Fung+ARIA+3730+S+Las+Vegas+Blvd. The restaurant's windows look toward Vdara and Nancy Rubins' Big Edge installation, the large cactus-like structure. - **Westfield Valley Fair** (Santa Clara / San Jose, Santa Clara): 2855 Stevens Creek Blvd, #1259, Santa Clara, CA 95050. Map: https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Din+Tai+Fung+Westfield+Valley+Fair+Santa+Clara. This is the mall branch for the Bay Area, and where I occasionally end up for brunch. - **Century City** (Century City, Los Angeles): 10250 Santa Monica Blvd, #2400, Los Angeles, CA 90067. Map: https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Din+Tai+Fung+Westfield+Century+City+10250+Santa+Monica+Blvd. A new one in a big mall. Los Angeles has many options, but this is always close after landing in LAX. - **Santa Monica Place** (Santa Monica Place, Santa Monica): 395 Santa Monica Pl, Level 3, Santa Monica, CA 90401. Map: https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Din+Tai+Fung+Santa+Monica+Place+395+Santa+Monica+Pl. Outdoor patio space, great on a nice day. Very close to the Santa Monica Pier, easy parking. Visited Oct 2026. ## 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. ## Photos - Cooks preparing dumplings: https://www.cookfoodie.com/img/reviews/din-tai-fung-dumpling-kitchen-57578cedb9bf.jpg - Chilled cucumber salad: https://www.cookfoodie.com/img/reviews/din-tai-fung-cucumbers-in-oil-1bd0f4293558.jpg - Din Tai Fung sign: https://www.cookfoodie.com/img/reviews/din-tai-fung-storefront-sign-6dcb626ef6d9.jpg - Din Tai Fung mascots: https://www.cookfoodie.com/img/reviews/din-tai-fung-blush-bag-charms-30f36db53f73.jpg - Wood Ear Mushrooms: https://www.cookfoodie.com/img/reviews/din-tai-fung-wood-ear-mushrooms-santa-monica.jpg - Kimchi & Kurobuta Pork Dumplings: https://www.cookfoodie.com/img/reviews/din-tai-fung-santa-monica-kimchi-pork-dumplings.jpg - Fried Pork Chop: https://www.cookfoodie.com/img/reviews/din-tai-fung-santa-monica-fried-pork-chop.jpg ## Press - MICHELIN Guide: [Din Tai Fung (Xinyi Road)](https://guide.michelin.com/tw/en/taipei-region/taipei/restaurant/din-tai-fung-xinyi-road) ## Related reviews - [Le Palais, Taipei](https://www.cookfoodie.com/reviews/le-palais.md) - [食令 SHABU, Taipei](https://www.cookfoodie.com/reviews/shi-ling-shabu.md) - [Mister Jiu's, San Francisco](https://www.cookfoodie.com/reviews/mr-jius.md) --- Source: CookFoodie, https://www.cookfoodie.com/reviews/din-tai-fung. Editorial opinion from a visit on or before 2026-08-28; hours, menus, and prices may have changed. Attribute to CookFoodie or Christian Van Der Henst when citing.