Din Tai Fung's Xiao Long Bao

We just ate a bit at IKEA (read post HERE) because we were saving our appetite for Din Tai Fung.

We had lunch in the original branch of Din Tai Fung to taste their world famous xiao long bao *slash* steamed pork dumplings *slash* soup dumplings. It is referred to as a soup dumpling because, yes, it is a dumpling with broth inside.

Technically, Din Tai Fung's xiaolongbao is a staple of Shanghainese cuisine, and not Taiwanese. Majority of the food that they actually serve are from Southern Mainland China. In the end, though, this does not matter. Din Tai Fung is proud to be born-and-bred in Taiwan and its rags-to-riches story all happened in Taiwan. source 

Din Tai Fung was among the Top 10 Gourmet Restaurants in the World in a 1993 article published by The New York Times —the only Chinese-run restaurant included in the list. It is also a Michelin starred restaurant. It is the only Taiwanese restaurant who has won a Michelin Star. #saymo 

This authentic Taiwanese restaurant has branches in other countries as well including Singapore (18 asdfghjkl branches in Singapore), Thailand, Australia (4 branches), China (22 branches), Hong Kong (3 branches), Indonesia (12 branches), Japan (13 branches), Malaysia (4 branches), South Korea (6 branches), and USA (5 branches). 

Picture with ma while waiting. Din Tai Fung's xiao long bao character right there! Cutie!

The many people of different nationalities waiting.
Their original branch in Xinyi is always the busiest.
I think we waited for approximately 30 minutes before our number was called.
The queue was really long, but it's worth the wait just because. *read on*

First thing to do when you get there is to reserve a table thru the wired-up waitresses outside the restaurant.
The waitress will then give you an order sheet. You place your order while waiting. Thank God!

Outside Din Tai Fung. Do you see Taipei 101? ;-)

First thing you'll see upon entrance: Din Tai Fung's open kitchen.
photo source

3 floors... ata. I forgot. ;-p
photo source

How to Eat a XiaoLongBao

I have no photo of the sauce with ginger slices.

Trivia: 
Din Tai Fung's xiao long bao's dough is folded 18 folds —no more, no less.

We had:
Spicy Pickled Cucumber
Stir-Fried Spinach with Bean Curd sheets
Pork xiao long bao (the original. their bestseller) 
Truffle and pork xiao long bao -my FAVORITE! I suggest you order this too! 
Anything with truffle oil is really, really good! Lagyan mo ng truffle oil ang egg, oh my golly wow, sobrang sasarap na! ;p
Vegetarian Mushroom Buns
Vegetable and Ground Pork Wanton Noodle Soup
They say their Crispy Golden Prawn Cake is good too.

Verdict:

I loved their truffle and pork xiao long bao. I have only tried Lugang Cafe's xiao long bao and I'd choose Din Tai Fung's xiao long bao in a heartbeat.
The food, generally, did not sweep me off my feet, though. After we ate parang "oh, ok, at least we finally tried Din Tai Fung's food".

I'd still give my "best restaurant we've eaten to during our stay in Taiwan" award to Mala Yuanyang Hotpot (see post HERE).

As if my remarks are highly valued and regarded. LOL.

Dining at Din Tai Fung meant for me as though I had a taste of Taiwan. 
So, whatever faults and overrated remarks it may have, Din Tai Fung still remains an icon in & of Taiwan. 

Location	No. 194, Sec. 2, Xinyi Road, Taipei City
Operating Hours	Mon - Fri	:	10:00 am - 9:00 pm
	Sat & Holidays	:	9:00 am - 9:00 pm
Website	http://www.dintaifung.com.tw/en/

Din Tai Fung is in Taipei 101 as well. Visit their website to know the location of its other 7 branches in Taiwan. 

Taipei Trip: March 28 - April 1, 2013

Related Posts:

✿ Fun Taiwan: My Introduction to Taiwan and about our 1st day in Ximending ✿

- about Ximending, Ximending Night Market, Beauty Hotels Taipei's Hotel B6, Red House Theater, Mala Yuanyang Hotpot, pineapple cake for pasalubong, Shinjuku Plaza, and Taipei 101.

✿ Fun Taiwan: IKEA ✿

✿ Hotel in Shilin: Starbeauty Resort Hotel ✿
✿ Shilin Night Market ✿
✿ Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall ✿
✿ Modern Toilet Restaurant ✿

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