Very interesting! Have you ever tried a Georgian khinkali, and if so how do they compare? With the khinkali they have a small knot of dough on top that you use to pick them up and flip upside down, then take a small bite out of the upturned bottom to suck out the soup.
We love khinkali and I can't believe I didn't think to compare them! As to which I like better, it would be...khinkali! I like that they come in a wider variety and something besides pork.
If you happen to go back again, you HAVE to have the green beans. I don't know what they put in them, but they are truly the best green beans I've ever had and I can't go to DTF without ordering them (and the soup dumplings, of course).
Same restaurant in Singapore. It’s good but pricey. I’d rather go to a local dim sum place for similar and cheaper food. I don’t remember the wait being that long there. Oh but here in small town Ohio. Oh how i miss dumplings! Even the so-called Chinese food is horrible. 😢
Oh, no! There's a Chinese restaurant on the Olympic Peninsula that's wonderful. As for Singapore, I think there'd be too many other places for me to want to eat at!
I loved the big twist, lol. Your photos of the chefs and the kitchen are fantastic. You definitely sold me, and now I'm hungry (like everyone else commenting)!
Not me searching for the nearest location and discovering there's one coming to Scottsdale in 2026, but even better, there are a few in Tokyo where we'll be in January. Can't wait to try them!
I've eaten at Din Tai Fung twice in Singapore and once in Seattle, and every time the food was out of this world! Highly recommend to anyone who visits somewhere with one
I spent many years enjoying DTF in Jakarta, where it can be found in various malls around the city. But I can also definitely recommend a visit to the DTF in midtown Manhattan - it opened about 3 years ago. The NY version takes reservations so no need to wait for 2 hours! Yes, it's more expensive than the ones in Asia, but service is excellent, and the decor is fun. So certainly possible to get the experience in the US.
I LOVE soup dumplings, and now I know I need to visit Taiwan. Thanks for a great write-up with wonderful food descriptions. Made my stomach growl!
Also, I was not surprised by the twist: leave it to the US to vacuum as much money as possible out of consumers. We’re the worst on just about all fronts.
Glad you went — huge fan of Din Tai Fung. CNN once ranked it the #2 best franchise for travelers worldwide, but honestly still tracks.
I love how they slip in regional twists — like the Cod Xiaolongbao you can only get in Seattle, while in Shanghai you’ll find Shrimp & Gourd that never make it onto US menus. You can have more when you head to HK next too (although it's not as cheap as in Taiwan).
Oh you make me sooo hungry, especially the different steam buns. One year in San Francisco, we found a little hole-in-the-wall shop with the best bbq buns, char shui something, I think. Never had anything so good since. Lucky you two ☺️
If someone who likes food but is far from the foodie, there is no way I want to wait more than 30 minutes for a table. mind you, that is my mindset now, but when I lived in Orange County California I would wait more than 30 minutes many times. reading your story reminded me of a similar place I went to in Costa Mesa California and since I wrote for the local newspaper and my editor, friend, and food writer, had tickets to all the best places in town, we went there shortly after they opened. and they were also a Din Tai Fung. Even though I was with a celebrity we still had to wait at least 30 minutes, and the food was delicious, no question, but being a simple man, I would rather go someplace much more simple!
Haha, when I was reading the first few paragraphs, I kept reminding myself to comment that there were several DinTaiFungs in the greater Seattle area, but, you already knew that! lol XiaoLongBao 小笼包， or “little buns in bamboo steamer” is a street food stable from my hometown, Shanghai, its Chinese name has nothing to do with “dumplings”, or 饺子。😊
If you are going to visit Shanghai, make sure you try XiaoLongBao there. An American chef (and writer who has been living in Shanghai), Christopher Stcavish, even wrote “The Shanghai Soup Dumpling Index” — https://stcavish.gumroad.com/
Wow! I just came back from Taiwan. I ate at Din Tai Fung yesterday. It was a monday night, and we only had to wait 5 minutes thankfully! However, my boyfriend had gone there before and he too had to wait 90 minutes. I guess it was just a good time to go. We also went to that exact night market the day before and saw that long line, but I had no idea it was also xiaolongbao! A great read on your experience too 😊
Uggghhh this made me so hungry. I never heard of this place my whole time in Taipei! Jealous. I’ll see if there’s a branch in Dublin…
Fingers crossed! If not, maybe see if DoorDash delivers from Taipie? LOL
Thats good to know, a branch in Ireland
There is not lol
OK. Thanks 😥
Maybe London? I know, you don't want to travel that far South just to try soup dumplings, let alone pay London prices for anything! 🙀
There are a few in London and the prices are higher but the wait is so much better.
Very interesting! Have you ever tried a Georgian khinkali, and if so how do they compare? With the khinkali they have a small knot of dough on top that you use to pick them up and flip upside down, then take a small bite out of the upturned bottom to suck out the soup.
Khinkali are next level. World's best dumplings, IMHO. But yeah, very similar.
We love khinkali and I can't believe I didn't think to compare them! As to which I like better, it would be...khinkali! I like that they come in a wider variety and something besides pork.
If you happen to go back again, you HAVE to have the green beans. I don't know what they put in them, but they are truly the best green beans I've ever had and I can't go to DTF without ordering them (and the soup dumplings, of course).
That's interesting to hear. We didn't get them because, well, I have never met a green bean I liked. But the next time I go, I will give them a try!
My husband and I were just talking about this!
I know. We were listening. LOL LOL
Same restaurant in Singapore. It’s good but pricey. I’d rather go to a local dim sum place for similar and cheaper food. I don’t remember the wait being that long there. Oh but here in small town Ohio. Oh how i miss dumplings! Even the so-called Chinese food is horrible. 😢
Oh, no! There's a Chinese restaurant on the Olympic Peninsula that's wonderful. As for Singapore, I think there'd be too many other places for me to want to eat at!
What is the name of this wonderful Chinese restaurant on the Olympic Peninsula? I live in the PNW & am a foodie.
I don't remember! Sorry!
Oh well. Maybe I’ll do some sleuthing next time I’m up there. In the interim I found DTF in PDX so I’ve added it to my restaurant list!
You guys make me hungry! Even though the restaurant to me sounds like a gluten bomb hell.
Yeah, not for you, alas.
But you have so many delicious fried insects to choose from!
I loved the big twist, lol. Your photos of the chefs and the kitchen are fantastic. You definitely sold me, and now I'm hungry (like everyone else commenting)!
Just sent you some soup dumplings in the mail. I'm sure you'll get them soon!
Not me searching for the nearest location and discovering there's one coming to Scottsdale in 2026, but even better, there are a few in Tokyo where we'll be in January. Can't wait to try them!
When in January? We MIGHT still be there but I want to make sure that A) we're either gone by then or B) can convincingly convince you have left.
Maybe you just tell me when YOU'RE going to be there first.
I'm stupid, but I'm not THAT stupid.
Can you please put Brent on the phone. I have a question for him.
I've eaten at Din Tai Fung twice in Singapore and once in Seattle, and every time the food was out of this world! Highly recommend to anyone who visits somewhere with one
Methinks they would taste better in Singapore than Seattle. LOL LOL
The ambiance is definitely better in the former :) Also, you are spot-on about the significant cost differential b/w the US and the rest of the world!
That differential is terrifying these days.
I spent many years enjoying DTF in Jakarta, where it can be found in various malls around the city. But I can also definitely recommend a visit to the DTF in midtown Manhattan - it opened about 3 years ago. The NY version takes reservations so no need to wait for 2 hours! Yes, it's more expensive than the ones in Asia, but service is excellent, and the decor is fun. So certainly possible to get the experience in the US.
I've heard that's a nice restaurant. The next time I'm in NYC, I'll check it out!
I LOVE soup dumplings, and now I know I need to visit Taiwan. Thanks for a great write-up with wonderful food descriptions. Made my stomach growl!
Also, I was not surprised by the twist: leave it to the US to vacuum as much money as possible out of consumers. We’re the worst on just about all fronts.
Or you can just find a DTF near you!
Not sure I'd wait two hours for ANY FOOD, unless I had Taipei 101 to explore in the meantime ;-)
SAME
Well, if our friend hadn't been with us for just that night, we would've come back on a weekday night -- when the wait was only an hour!
There isn't a single restaurant in Granada that will kill the craving that you just left me with!
Sorry? Not sorry? 😉😉😉
Don’t be! I am living vicariously,
Glad you went — huge fan of Din Tai Fung. CNN once ranked it the #2 best franchise for travelers worldwide, but honestly still tracks.
I love how they slip in regional twists — like the Cod Xiaolongbao you can only get in Seattle, while in Shanghai you’ll find Shrimp & Gourd that never make it onto US menus. You can have more when you head to HK next too (although it's not as cheap as in Taiwan).
Oh you make me sooo hungry, especially the different steam buns. One year in San Francisco, we found a little hole-in-the-wall shop with the best bbq buns, char shui something, I think. Never had anything so good since. Lucky you two ☺️
We are VERY lucky indeed.
If someone who likes food but is far from the foodie, there is no way I want to wait more than 30 minutes for a table. mind you, that is my mindset now, but when I lived in Orange County California I would wait more than 30 minutes many times. reading your story reminded me of a similar place I went to in Costa Mesa California and since I wrote for the local newspaper and my editor, friend, and food writer, had tickets to all the best places in town, we went there shortly after they opened. and they were also a Din Tai Fung. Even though I was with a celebrity we still had to wait at least 30 minutes, and the food was delicious, no question, but being a simple man, I would rather go someplace much more simple!
Haha, when I was reading the first few paragraphs, I kept reminding myself to comment that there were several DinTaiFungs in the greater Seattle area, but, you already knew that! lol XiaoLongBao 小笼包， or “little buns in bamboo steamer” is a street food stable from my hometown, Shanghai, its Chinese name has nothing to do with “dumplings”, or 饺子。😊
If you are going to visit Shanghai, make sure you try XiaoLongBao there. An American chef (and writer who has been living in Shanghai), Christopher Stcavish, even wrote “The Shanghai Soup Dumpling Index” — https://stcavish.gumroad.com/
When you come back to Seattle again, try the XiaoLongBao from the Dough Zone. https://www.doughzonedumplinghouse.com/
Will do! Thanks!
Wow! I just came back from Taiwan. I ate at Din Tai Fung yesterday. It was a monday night, and we only had to wait 5 minutes thankfully! However, my boyfriend had gone there before and he too had to wait 90 minutes. I guess it was just a good time to go. We also went to that exact night market the day before and saw that long line, but I had no idea it was also xiaolongbao! A great read on your experience too 😊
Wow, that's some good luck! Glad you got to try it!