And hey, if you are travelling with kids then for once the normal challenging hours of snack-hungry stomachs will work in your favour. But I reckon you can do it without the risk. No doubt if you only have a couple of days in Taipei you will be debating the validity of joining those queues in your limited hours in the city. The best time to visit is either side of the lunch rush. Because although we slipped in without a queue on arrival at the restaurant, we witnessed the growing queue as we walked out. And thus timed our visit to arrive before the lunch rush.įortunately, this was a great choice. We were pre-warned about the queues outside at mealtimes that attest to the restaurants popularity. But what do you reckon a chocolate xialongbao would be like?! The best time to visitĭin Tai Fung does not allow table reservations. We ate as many dumplings as we had room to stomach for. To be fair, we didn’t get as far as dessert. Steamed shrimp and pork dumplings (5/10 pieces) Steamed vegetable and pork dumplings (5/10 pieces) These are some (*ahem) of the dishes we tried, with prices in Taiwanese dollars. But, it’s also one of the cheapest places in the world to eat at a restaurant with a Michelin star. Its Michelin star so what about the price?īy the usual Taiwan dumpling standards, the dumplings at Din Tai Fung are pretty damn expensive. Following said instructions to pierce a hole in the dumpling outer layer. They even come with instructions on how to be eaten! Instructions on how to best eat the xiaolongbao soup dumplings. This might sound over the top, but I would rate them as worthy of this art form. There is an art to consuming Xiaolongbao correctly. But being hand made to perfection, this unassuming little dumpling dish has taken that and run. And these broth-filled dumplings are essentially just that. Xiao Long Bao means “little dumpling in a basket”.

The literal translation of these sacred soup dumplings makes sense. There are other delicious items on the menu – traditional steamed vegetable and pork dumplings, pork buns, and noodle soup – but these are what the restaurant is all about.

Xiao Long Bao is the dish Din Tai Fun is renowned internationally for. It’s fair to say the humble beginnings of a street style dumpling restaurant has captured the attention of soup dumplings lovers all around the world. Now there are branches of Din Tai Fung in Taiwan, the United States, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Australia and more. The first shop was opened by founder Yang Bing-Yi in 1958. The original Din Tai Fung can be found on Xinyi Road in Taipei. And each chef spends an hour at a station… In official terms of each role, you are a roller, twister or wrapper for one hour at a time! Watching the chefs at work on dumplings behind the window. The dumplings are made fresh in front of your eyes (literally, behind a glass wall). It takes three years to train as a chef at Din Tai Fung. With filling, it must weigh between 20.8 and 21.2 grams, and is folded exquisitely with 18 perfect folds. This is their signature point of difference.Įach dumpling is hand made meticulously to measure between precisely 4.8 and 5.2 grams at conception. Din Tai Fung has perfected the art of the perfect soup dumpling the xiao long bao. While there have been eateries of dim sum for centuries, this is a restaurant that takes it to the next level. But this humble soup dumpling dish is the original menu item that made Din Tai Fung famous. There are many dishes in Asia that try to claim this kind of regulatory force in requirements to try it.

Their signature dish, xiaolongbao is a must try. The restaurant has been awarded the Michelin star 5 times, and is recognised as one of the best dim sum eateries in the world. What is Din Tai Fung?ĭin Tai Fung is a world renowned Taiwanese restaurant (now chain) that specializes in soup dumplings and noodles. We are BIG FANS! The famous xiaolongbao soup dumplings. But we can officially share and showcase our love of dumplings (and our expertise in over-ordering).Īnd our new obsession with Din Tai Fung in Taiwan. And with Din Tai Fung: a Taiwanese mecca for dumpling-pilgrims from all over the world.Īlbeit the Michelin-related claim of frequency stretches the imagination a wee bit further than our backpacks allow. Oh yes we toss our backpacks aside and frequent Michelin star restaurants…īut not with stars.

Din tai fung dim sum