If you are not new to reading online articles or blogs about food, most probably you have encountered those three words in the title. I have read so much about it when I was researching my trip to Taiwan that I couldn’t bear leaving the place without even being able to dine there.

Boy, was I not anticipating the long lines. The restaurant was so crowded and the wait could probably go up to 2 hours, that we decided to just take out food. Together with the menu, a paper that contains what they serve is given for you to jot down what you prefer, and because they were all in Chinese, it was a good thing the menu had a corresponding code in the order sheet so that you know what you are marking.

As for the orders, we figured we’ll drown ourselves with xiao long bao, calories and cholesterol count be damned. Haha. 10 pieces cost NTD190. So we ordered two. We also had shrimp siomai which cost NTD 320 for 10 pieces. In order for the whole thing to look like a meal, we also ordered a serving of braised beef noodle soup (without beef) which I thought was absurd, but when it was compared to the one that came with beef, the price became the one that was absurd (NTD 120 – without beef; NTD 210 – with beef). Also, we ordered fried rice with eggs and shrimps (this one I forgot the price).

I am not sure if we were dying of hunger or the food was really good. But I think they were really good. Especially the xiao long bao, which is what Din Tai Fung is most famous for, from what I read at least. It was warm, the wrap was not easily broken and it was bursting with flavours. If I was not so worried about the amount of oil I was consuming, I would have gone for another order, really.

The siomai was great as well. The shrimp on top was so plump and juicy. It was also the first time I saw a siomai in that form. The fried rice was slightly oily to my liking but it also tasted great nonetheless. Only that the serving for us was quite small, especially for people whose staple food is rice. But that was compensated by the braised beef noodle we ordered. It was warm and it did not taste like any other noodle soup before. I have to give it to Din Tai Fun for making such awesome menu.

I do wish they come to Manila soon, I have been hearing a lot of rumors about the price of the franchise and so I am not sure if we’ll see them here anytime soon. But it is not so bad to hope, right? Din Tai Fung also has branches in neighboring Asia countries such as in China and Hong Kong. Several branches are also scattered around Taiwan but the address below was near to the hotel we stayed at, in fact, it was only 2 streets away.

Din Tai Fung
Taipei Zhongxiao Restaurant
No. 218, Sec. 4, Zhongxiao East Rd.,
Da-an District, Taipei City (Alley 216)
(886-02) 2721-7890

Tags: food, shrimp, taipei, taiwan, xiaolongbao