Update 12/16/2015: DIN TAI FUNG Philippines: Chocolate Lava Xiao Long Bao & Golden Lava Salted Egg Yolk Bun! (A Review)
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DIN TAI FUNG is a popular Xiao Long Bao Restaurant in Taiwan that has been awarded the Michelin Star 5 times.
It’s recognized as one of the best dimsum places in the world, with international branches in Indonesia, Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Australia, Thailand, USA, and soon, in Manila.
Here’s a foodie guide on where to find, what to order, and how to properly eat Xiao Long Bao in Din Tai Fung Taiwan…
DIN TAI FUNG XINYI STORE
No. 194, Sec. 2, Xinyi Rd., Taipei City
Telephone: +886 2 2321-8928
Monday to Friday 10.00am to 9.00pm
I recommend going to the original Din Tai Fung store on Xinyi Road.
The nearest Taipei MRT Metro station is DONGMEN.
There’s usually a long line during the peak hours, so it’s best to go around merienda time.
Expect to wait for a few minutes but the queueing process is very efficient.
There’s an open kitchen where you can see how each Xiao Long Bao is prepared.
The best seats are on the upper floors, with a view of Taipei.
I like the original store. It’s cozy, homey, and clean.
These are the best seats in the house — added privacy and a view of Xinyi Road.
DIN TAI FUNG TAIPEI 101 STORE
B1, No. 45, Shifu Rd., Taipei City Taipei 101 Mall
Telephone: +886 2 8101-7799
Sunday to Thursday 11.00am to 9.30pm
Friday, Saturday, & The Day before Holiday 11.00am to 10.00pm
DIN TAI FUNG at the basement of Taipei 101 is the most popular for tourists.
You can take the Taipei MRT to Taipei 101/World Trade Center station.
It’s super busy. If you’re going as a group, be sure to make reservations.
The Taipei 101 store is more polished and commercialized in its ambiance.
They have an aquarium display of the kitchen where the Xiao Long Bao is prepared, with photos of Tom Cruise’s visit to Din Tai Fung.
The appetizers are readily available so you can have something to eat while you wait for your order.
Our Taiwan Media Fam Trip group, organized by Jeron Travel and Eva Air, in cooperation with the Taiwan Tourism Bureau.
DIN TAI FUNG MENU
MENU: History of Din Tai Fung | Appetizers 1 | Appetizers 2 | Xiao Long Bao 1 | Xiao Long Bao 2 | Buns 1 | Buns 2 | Soups 1 | Soups 2 | Dishes | Fried Rice | Noodles | Wonton | Desserts | Desserts & Rice Bun | Gift Sets 1 | Gift Sets 2 | Drinks
The Din Tai Fung menu has been well-curated over the years. The quality and taste remains consistent.
XIAO LONG BAO
✮ Pork Xiao Long Bao (NT$ 200 – 10pcs., NT$100 – 5 pcs.)
Their bestseller is the pork Xiao Long Bao, with its delicate 18 ripples and soft, thin skin, weighing at 20g.
✮ Truffle and Pork Xiao Long Bao (NT$ 450 – 5 pcs.)
The BEST for me is the Truffle and Pork Xiao Long Bao. It’s always a treat to savor its heavenly flavor. 🙂
✮ Green Squash and Shrimp Xiao Long Bao (NT$ 320 – 10pcs., NT$160 – 5pcs.)
If you’re looking for something healthier (or if you’re a pescetarian), the green squash and shrimp variant is highly recommended. 🙂
✮ Crab Roe and Pork Xiao Long Bao (NT$ 340 – 10pcs., NT$ 170 – 5pcs.)
The crab gives this Xiao Long Bao an oceany taste and an interesting flavor profile.
HOW TO EAT XIAO LONG BAO
You use Chinese black vinegar (some people put a little bit of soy sauce, too)…
…and pour it over the shredded ginger.
This is the most basic dipping sauce for your the Xiao Long Bao. The ginger slices are eaten in between to clean the palate.
The Xiao Long Bao is best eaten as soon as it arrives, so don’t spend too much time taking those Instagram photos. 🙂
Pick up the dimsum with your chopsticks from the top so that it won’t burst, then use your soup spoon as a holder.
One way is to eat it whole, so you can enjoy the pipping hot soup and pork meat at the same time.
The best way for me is to bite a hole on the skin and drink the soup first to savor the pork and other flavors (like the truffle). Don’t forget to add some sauce to complete the experience. 🙂
RECOMMENDED DISHES
✮ Spicy Pickled Cucumber (NT$ 65)
This is the best appetizer. Love how the balanced pickle flavor cleans and readies your palate.
✮ Steamed Shrimp and Pork Shiaomai (NT$ 440 – 10 pcs.)
I usually order Xiao Long Bao together with this Shrimp-topped Shiaomai.
✮ Shrimp & Pork Pot Stickers (NT$ 160 – 6pcs.)
This is like gyoza. The kids loved this. 🙂
✮ Pork Chop Fried Rice (With Egg – NT$ 200)
Next to the Xiao Long Bao, I like Din Tai Fung’s spiced pork chop with fried rice. It’s very addicting! 🙂
✮ Sauteed String Beans With Minced Pork (NT$ 110)
Order a vegetable side dish to balance your meal. I recommend the spinach or these string beans.
✮ House Steamed Chicken Soup (NT$ 200)
I love the clean taste of this chicken soup. Reminds me our tinola.
✮ Braised Beef Soup (NT$ 190)
Braised beef soup is one of the signature dishes of Taiwanese Cuisine. Din Tai Fung’s version is rich in flavor with tender slices of meat and al dente noodles.
✮ Noodles with Spicy Sesame and Peanut Sauce (NT$ 90)
Another favorite is this noodles with peanut sauce. Make sure to order the spicy version.
Steamed Taro Dumplings (NT$170 – 10pcs, NT$85 – 5 pcs.)
For dessert, order their signature taro, served Xiao long Bao style.
✮ Steamed Red Bean Dumplings (NT$ 160 – 10 pcs., NT$80 – 5 pcs.)
My favorite though is the Red Bean. 🙂
Don’t forget your souvenir photo with the Xiao Long Bao Mascot. 🙂
You can also buy Xiao Long Bao souvenir items from the Xinyi Store.
A visit to Taipei isn’t complete without eating Xiao Long Bao at Din Tai Fung.
It is best to go to the original store on Xinyi Road, so you can say you’ve been to the store where it all began (#masabilang). But it’s also located on a food street, which allows you to conveniently continue on your food trip.
I recommend ordering the Pork Xiao Long Bao, the Truffle Xiao Long Bao, Steamed Shrimp and Pork Shiaomai, Pork Chop Fried Rice, and Steamed Red Bean Dumplings.
Budget at NT$ 400/head (or ~P600/head).
DIN TAI FUNG
Website: www.dintaifung.com.tw
Customer Service: +886 2 2228-9299
DIN TAI FUNG XINYI STORE
No. 194, Sec. 2, Xinyi Rd., Taipei City
Telephone: +886 2 2321-8928
Monday to Friday 10.00am to 9.00pm
DIN TAI FUNG TAIPEI 101 STORE
B1, No. 45, Shifu Rd., Taipei City Taipei 101 Mall
Telephone: +886 2 8101-7799
Sunday to Thursday 11.00am to 9.30pm
Friday, Saturday, & The Day before Holiday 11.00am to 10.00pm
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Live an Awesome Life,
Founder, www.OurAwesomePlanet.com
Disclosure: We paid for our meals. Read Our Awesome Planet Complete Disclosure Policy here.
P.S. Rumor has it that Din Tai Fung is opening soon at Century City Mall in Manila. Can anyone confirm or invalidate this?
P.P.S. This was the bill for our media fam trip group at the Taipei 101 store. We ordered a lot for a group of 9 people.
Hi, Anton how are you? This restaurant is awesome. I love Asian dishes, too like in Taiwan. Parang namasyal na rin ako nito. Although, your total bill is also expensive, I would say that this is a right price for the dishes as well as the ambiance of the restaurant. Ang linis ng restaurant. This is the most important in any restaurant, the cleanliness. Have a nice day always.