Din Tai Fung

Typical for a Din Tai Fung. If they know anything at all, it’s how to do a consistent, high-​quality experience for xiao long bao.
This one was missing a few things off the menu– helpfully crossed out on the paper ordering menu– although the quantity of missing things (4?) was surprising.
Food and service were trademark DTF, quite good. And if you like the lobster bun and the delicate xiao long bao that they do, this one is as good as any.
Sadly, the price is another consistent thing, which isn’t cheap. But that surprises no one…

Most Din Tai Fung outlets deliver consistent quality of food, and this one is no different. But, what I like about this outlet is that the queues are much, much shorter compared to the outlet in Tampines where I typically find myself having to wait for at least 30 minutes to enter! Yup — this place delivers when it comes to instant gratification :)

Brilliant. Great overall experience, daylight ambience, great food, attentive service. They know how to run a restaurant.

I absolutely love Din Tai Fung! The food is excellent, and the service is great. I have been to a few of their locations, and I have never been disappointed.
If you’re a meat eater, I highly recommend the crabmeat and pork dumplings. They are the juiciest dumplings you may ever eat! There’s a very nice portion of meat in there too, which is nice. They’re a little pricey, about $ 7 for 6 dumplings, but definitely worth it!
The buns are also delicious. My top choices are the steamed pork buns and the steamed vegetarian buns. Unlike most buns I find around here that have very little filling and very thick skin, the buns at Din Tai Fung are the perfect balance (apparently there is a very precise formula!). Not bad for $ 3.80!
The other menu items, are also good, depending on what you prefer. I’ve gotten the wonton noodles a few times, and they are always good. Their rice dishes seem to be pretty popular, too.
To top it off, the staff is always very friendly and efficient. The cooks and servers all wear masks, and make sure that the food is steaming hot when it comes to you. The waiters never rush you or bother you during your meal.
All in all, you’re pretty much guaranteed to leave happy.

Regardless of whichever branch of Din Tai Fung you go to, the quality of their xiao long bao are pretty much similar across board. My favorite is their crab roe ciao long boa which often my friends and I term it as the cheeseburger of the east. Ha ha It somewhat it has this familiar taste of a cheeseburger.
What so special what this branch? Well, this branch offers late night menu with a supper meal. Well but you must be erm… a food adventurer as they offer a selection of taiwanese braised items such as pork intestines, pork ear and duck tongue amongst other items.

My first experience with xiao long bao and I absolutely love it. The soup like sauce and mince pork pairs extremely well with the thin strips of ginger and vinegar. Yet another type of food you have to taste to experience. Another great dish to try would be Din Tai Fung’s fried rice which is fried in a really light oil that is extremely fragrant. They have a number of options such as prawns or pork or just a plain friend rice with eggs. The plain option is good enough for me. Just pair it with a tray of 10 xiao long bao and you have a complete meal. Add chilli oil to your meal if you prefer a kick of spice!

I’ve heard rave reviews about this place from most people, but there unfortunately isn’t much to have here if you’re vegan/​vegetarian.
There is one reason, and one reason only, why I regularly come back here: the vegetarian dumplings. While your friends may be spoilt for choice at the vast number of dumplings available, being vegetarian suddenly becomes a bit easier because you really have only one option. Which is fine with me.
If you’re there for a light snack, get 6 dumplings; if you’re there for some serious dim sum action, go for the set of 10 ($ 10.50) and you’re all set for lunch. It’s filling, it’s yummy, and it goes oh so well with the vinegar and ginger.
While DTF would do well to have a few more vegetarian options, this is really all I need when I go there. If you’re veg, you’re also safe with their Oriental Salad with Special Vinegar ($ 3.50) which is really good too, but stay away from the Hot & Sour Soup — the strong meat flavour is barely disguised by the fact that it looks meat-​free, and appears to be so on the menu.
If all else fails, it’s fascinating to watch them making dumplings and other dim sum through the big glass window that leads to the kitchen. :)