A five-time awarded Michelin-star restaurant, Din Tai Fung is internationally known for their outstanding xiao long bao (小籠包 soup dumplings).
A mecca for foodies, no trip to Taipei is ever complete without making a stop here.
It is located at the base of Taipei 101, a prime multi-level shopping center that features an observatory deck where visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of Taipei’s cityscape.
With over 40 branches all over the world (there’s one here in the Philippines), customers wait in long queues just to have a taste of one of the world’s top ten gourmet restaurants as rated by The New York Times. Diners can stroll around shops in Taipei 101 while waiting to be seated.
Thankfully, with their fast service, it didn’t take too long to get our queue number.
Jude is so “gigil” and can’t contain her excitement!
Curious dine-in guests can peer through the glass-fronted open kitchen and watch the cooks prepare the food right before their eyes.
Food gets expedited quickly here so no diner will ever be “hangry”.
If you’re someone like me who has never heard of xiao long bao before, these are steamed buns that have a delicate handmade dough with a savory meaty soup filling.
Photo credit: http://thesmartlocal.com/
It is a culinary wonder how these magical buns are engineered in a way that it is able to hold the soup and meat with its thin, pillowy soft dough. Eating these dumplings do require patience, restraint and maybe a wee bit of practice because you don’t want to get your tongue scalded with the piping hot soup.
Here’s an instruction card on how to eat it:
Photo credit: https://www.jeffersonscher.com/
Besides xiao long bao, Din Tai Fung serves many other delicious Taiwanese dishes from appetizers to side dishes to desserts.
With dishes averaging around NT$200 (approximately 300 PHP), Din Tai Fung gives a dining experience worth more than what you pay for.
Definitely worth the long queue!
Open hours:
Sunday – Thursday: 11:00 A.M. to 9:30 P.M.
Friday – Saturday: 11:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M.
Thanks to Jude Bacalso as well for introducing me to this place and to Taiwan Leisure Farms Development Association and Ma’am Jane Syjuco of Everbright Travel Agency for my memorable trip to Taiwan!
Also, special thanks to Sir Allan Sze of Goldlink Travel and Tours for treating us to this gourmet dim sum on his birthday.
Read about my Taiwan Travel Guide here
What to Eat and Drink in Taiwan
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