Taipei | Din Tai Fung 鼎泰豐

The unique blend of ethnic demographics in Taiwan allowed many Chinese provincial cuisines to evolve and prosper on this island. Amusingly, Taiwan's Din Tai Fung is considered the best Shanghainese dumpling house in the world. With restaurants in 10 different countries, Din Tai Fung is honored with 1 Michelin Star and is often featured in international journals!

Din Tai Fung is one of the few restaurants that I religiously visit whenever I go back to Taiwan. The delicate dumpling skin as well as the juicy and flavorful fillings satisfy every craving in your palate. This time, I have a special mission in mind - it is to try their new creation: "black truffle xiao long bao"!

Xiao Long Bao 小籠包

Steamed Pork Dumplings

Xiao long bao is the most popular offering from the restaurant. I wonder how many dumplings they make each day?

Luffa & Shrimp Xiao Long Bao 絲瓜蝦仁小籠包

Unlike the greasy pork fillings in xiao long bao, luffa and shrimp xiao long bao is very smooth and light with a fresh luffa aroma.

Luffa & Shrimp Xiao Long Bao 絲瓜蝦仁小籠包

Steamed Crabmeat & Pork Xiao Long Bao 蟹粉小籠包

With the orange crab roe on the tip, steamed crabmeat and pork xiao long bao is my favorite of all. The savoriness of crab roe escalates the flavor of the dumpling to the next level!

Steamed Crabmeat & Pork Xiao Long Bao 蟹粉小籠包

Black Truffle Xiao Long Bao!!! 黑松露小籠包

Now comes the black truffle xiao long bao. With more than 3 grams of black truffle, each tiny truffle xiao long bao costs approximately US $2.70. Let's just say it was only worth the experience and excitement. I will probably never order again. The truffle doesn't complement the taste of the xiao long bao - it just left my tongue with an interesting feeling.

Black Truffle Xiao Long Bao 黑松露小籠包

One of the best fried rice I have. The rice has a great texture and doesn't stick together.

Shrimp & Egg Fried Rice 蝦仁蛋炒飯

Chicken Soup 元盅雞湯

Sauteed Taiwanese Cabbage

For all Americans, this is how a bowl of sweet and sour soup should look like!

Hot and Sour Soup 酸辣湯

Dessert:

Ba Bao Fan 八寶飯

"Eight Treasures Rice"

Ba bao fan is steamed sticky rice filled with sweet red bean paste and topped with 8 "treasures" (beans).

Steamed Red Bean Cake 赤豆鬆糕

Everyone in the table hurries to take a piece of the traditional Shanghainese dessert.

Steamed Red Bean Cake 赤豆鬆糕

chefs making xiao long baos

Din Tai Fung

Din Tai Fung 鼎泰豐
No. 194, Section 2, Xinyi Road, Taipei, Taiwan
台北市信義路二段194號 (永康街口)
http://www.dintaifung.com.tw/

Price: $$
Recommendation: 5 Stars
Not only the best Shanghainese dumpling house in the world, but also one of the most famous restaurants from Taiwan!!

also in various international locations: Los Angeles, Seattle, Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Seoul, Singapore, Sydney, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and etc.