Founded in 1958 by Bingyi Yang, a Chinese immigrant from the Shanxi Piovince, Din Tai Fung's history had humble beginnings, starting as a cooking oil store and eventually selling steamed dumplings. Din Tai Fung quickly earned a reputation for their high quality dumplings, earning world recognition, currently operating branches around the world, including Australia, Singapore, and even one in the U.S.
Original Din Tai Fung Location in Taipei, Taiwan
Although there are over 40 branches of Din Tai Fung worldwide, many agree the original branch in Taipei cannot be beat. The original branch is located on XinYi road, at the corner of Yong Kang Street, also known for its quantity of amazing local eats, like Tu Hsaio Yueh and Kao-chi.
Tourists to Taiwan will find Din Tai Fung written up in nearly every guidebook, website, article, or blog detailing what to see and do in Taiwan. Lines form all day long as guests show up in large groups to experience the legend of Din Tai Fung.
Best Xiao Long Baos
Din Tai Fung is most famous for their xiao long baos, or Shanghai steamed soup dumplings. Made from unraised flour, the dumpling skins appear almost translucent. The steamed skins are more like typical dumplings, but actually belong in the bun category.
Traditionally xiao long baos are filled with pork, but other variations include vegetables, crab, mushroom, and chicken. The most popular option at Din Tai Fung is the original pork, but other delicious options include chicken and pork with crab roe. Prices on the dumplings vary based on ingredients and number of dumplings in each other, but typically range from $5 - $10 USD.
The xiao long baos at Din Tai Fung have a soupy broth inside that makes these a favorite among tourists and locals alike. The broth is in gelatin form and when the dumplings are steamed, the broth becomes juicy and hot, providing that perfect burst of flavor when eaten.
Din Tai Fung takes their xiao long baos very seriously, even providing English instructions on the proper way to eat them. The sauce component is very specific - shredded ginger with 3 parts black vinegar and 1 part soy sauce. To eat the xiao long bao, first pick up the dumpling with chopsticks, and dip into the sauce. Place the dumpling on the spoon and poke a hole into the skin to release the hot broth inside. Then pick up some ginger and put on top of the dumpling. Eat the dumpling from the spoon with the broth and enjoy.
Be sure to also notice how beautiful these dumplings are. Din Tai Fung takes extra care in ensuring each dumpling is absolutely beautiful, with the required number of perfect pleats. There is rumored to even be a lengthy training course that chefs are sent to in order to master the art of pleating if they are to work for Din Tai Fung.
Other Din Tai Fung Menu Items
Other popular menu items include shu mais, which have the same delicious soupy broth as the xiao long baos and come in both shrimp and pork versions. Dumplings without any type of broth inside are also on the menu with filling options like shrimp, vegetable, and mushroom. To round out the various types of dumplings, try the wontons - either pork and vegetable or shrimp and pork for those who like spicy.
Din Tai Fung is also recognized for their delicious noodles, served either dry or in a soup. Beef noodles are another Taiwan specialty and Din Tai Fung offers some delicious options. The best are either the noodles mixed in sesame and peanut sauce or in spicy chili oil. Noodle soups to try include braised beef or steamed beef noodles.
For those who like the fluffy buns, often seen in Cantonese dim sum, be sure to order steamed pork buns or try the more sweet fillings like black sesame, taro root, or red bean. Buns are priced individually or as pairs, and are around $1.25 - $3.00 USD.
As with the xiao long baos, all menu items vary in price based on ingredients and quantity in the order. Typically, dumplings and small soups are around $4-$6, while larger entrees can be up to $13.
Din Tai Fung Locations in Taiwan
There are four locations within Taipei, any of which are good options to enjoy these signature dumplings. Typical waits at any given time of day can be from 20 minutes at the Tienmu branch to over an hour in the evenings at the XinYi branch. Do not be discouraged though as wait times easily fly by as patrons busy themselves watching the assembly line process of making dumplings.
Din Tai Fung works on a number system and provides menus while waiting so computerized orders can then be placed as customers are being seated. This not only ensures less ordering confusion, it makes for fairly fast turnaround times.
- XinYi Branch
- No. 194, Xinyi Road Sec. 2
- Da-an District, Taipei City
- 886-2-2321-8928
- Mon-Fri: 10:00 - 21:00 (09:00am - 21:00 on public holidays and weekends)
- Closest MRT station: Daan Station
- Zhongxiao Branch
- No. 218 Zhongxiao East Road Sec. 4 (entrance on Lane 216)
- Da-an District, Taipei City
- 886-2-2721-7890
- Mon-Fri: 10:00 - 14:30 / 16:00 - 22:00, weekends and public holidays: 10:00 - 22:00
- MRT Station: Zhongxiao Dunhua
- NOTE: Cash Only - they do not accept any credit cards
- Fuxing Branch
- B2F, No 300, Sec 3, Zhongxiao
- Da-an District, Taipei City
- B2F of Fuxing SOGO Department Store
- Tel: 886-2-8772-0528
- Hours: Sun-Thurs 10:00-21:30, Fri-Sat & before holidays: 10:00-22:00
- MRT: Zhongxiao Fuxing
- Tienmu Branch
- B1F, No 77, Sec 6 Zhongshan N. Road
- Shilin District, Taipei city
- (B1F of Tienmu SOGO Department Store)
- Tel: 886-2-2833-8900
- Hours: Mon-Thurs 10:300-21:30, Fri: 10:30-22:00, Sat & before holidays: 10:00-22:00
Erin De Santiago - Erin is a freelance travel, food/wine, & Disney writer in Taipei, Taiwan, who has traveled within 40+ different countries to date.
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