Backpacking with kids meets Michelin starred dumplings at Din Tai Fung, Taiwan.

Oh yes we toss our backpacks aside and frequent Michelin star restaurants…

We are obsessed!

But not with stars. (With dumplings, obviously). And with Din Tai Fung: a Taiwanese mecca for dumpling-pilgrims from all over the world.

Albeit the Michelin-related claim of frequency stretches the imagination a wee bit further than our backpacks allow. But we can officially share and showcase our love of dumplings (and our expertise in over-ordering).

And our new obsession with Din Tai Fung in Taiwan.

We are BIG FANS!

The famous xiaolongbao soup dumplings at Din Tai Fung in Taipei, Taiwan with kids.
The famous xiaolongbao soup dumplings.

What is Din Tai Fung? 

Din Tai Fung is a world renowned Taiwanese restaurant (now chain) that specializes in soup dumplings and noodles. The restaurant has been awarded the Michelin star 5 times, and is recognised as one of the best dim sum eateries in the world.

Their signature dish, xiaolongbao is a must try. There are many dishes in Asia that try to claim this kind of regulatory force in requirements to try it. But this humble soup dumpling dish is the original menu item that made Din Tai Fung famous. 

What makes it so special? 

While there have been eateries of dim sum for centuries, this is a restaurant that takes it to the next level. Din Tai Fung has perfected the art of the perfect soup dumpling; the xiao long bao. This is their signature point of difference.

Each dumpling is hand made meticulously to measure between precisely 4.8 and 5.2 grams at conception. With filling, it must weigh between 20.8 and 21.2 grams, and is folded exquisitely with 18 perfect folds.

It takes three years to train as a chef at Din Tai Fung. The dumplings are made fresh in front of your eyes (literally, behind a glass wall). And each chef spends an hour at a station… In official terms of each role, you are a roller, twister or wrapper for one hour at a time! 

Watching the chefs at work on dumplings behind the window at Din Tai Fung.
Watching the chefs at work on dumplings behind the window.

The original Din Tai Fung can be found on Xinyi Road in Taipei. The first shop was opened by founder Yang Bing-Yi in 1958. Now there are branches of Din Tai Fung in Taiwan, the United States, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Australia and more.

It’s fair to say the humble beginnings of a street style dumpling restaurant has captured the attention of soup dumplings lovers all around the world.

About xiaolongbao dumplings

Xiao Long Bao is the dish Din Tai Fun is renowned internationally for. There are other delicious items on the menu – traditional steamed vegetable and pork dumplings, pork buns, and noodle soup –  but these are what the restaurant is all about. 

The literal translation of these sacred soup dumplings makes sense. Xiao Long Bao means “little dumpling in a basket”. And these broth-filled dumplings are essentially just that. But being hand made to perfection, this unassuming little dumpling dish has taken that and run. Each mouthful is literally perfect. 

There is an art to consuming Xiaolongbao correctly.  This might sound over the top, but I would rate them as worthy of this art form. They even come with instructions on how to be eaten!  

Instructions on how to best eat the xiaolongbao soup dumplings in Taiwan with kids.
Instructions on how to best eat the xiaolongbao soup dumplings.
Following said instructions to pierce a hole in the dumpling outer layer.

Its Michelin star; so what about the price? 

By the usual Taiwan dumpling standards, the dumplings at Din Tai Fung are pretty damn expensive. But, it’s also one of the cheapest places in the world to eat at a restaurant with a Michelin star.  So don’t be put off.  

These are some (*ahem) of the dishes we tried, with prices in Taiwanese dollars. 

Pork xiaolongbao (5/10 pieces)$110/220
Chicken xialongbao (5/10 pieces)$115/230
Steamed vegetable and pork dumplings (5/10 pieces)$110/220
Steamed shrimp and pork dumplings (5/10 pieces)$135/270
2x pork buns$90
2x Red bean buns$90
Shrimp fried rice (with egg)$240
Chocolate xialongbao (5/10 pieces)$175/350

To be fair, we didn’t get as far as dessert. We ate as many dumplings as we had room to stomach for.  But what do you reckon a chocolate xialongbao would be like?! 

The best time to visit

Din Tai Fung does not allow table reservations.

We were pre-warned about the queues outside at mealtimes that attest to the restaurants popularity. And thus timed our visit to arrive before the lunch rush.  

Fortunately, this was a great choice. Because although we slipped in without a queue on arrival at the restaurant, we witnessed the growing queue as we walked out. 

The best time to visit is either side of the lunch rush. 

No doubt if you only have a couple of days in Taipei you will be debating the validity of joining those queues in your limited hours in the city. But I reckon you can do it without the risk. And hey, if you are travelling with kids then for once the normal challenging hours of snack-hungry stomachs will work in your favour. Get in early, before the lunch rush starts and enjoy the best of Din Tai Fung without even queueing.  

Din Tai Fung with kids

Unlike some restaurants in Taiwan that proudly feature the fiery Sichuan-style Chinese dishes, Din Tai Fun is great for kids. Dishes are mild in spice but beautifully flavoured. 

There isn’t a separate menu for children, but I would describe the mainstream menu choices for kids as the perfect introduction to Chinese dim sum. Especially great if you happen to be in Taiwan before venturing onwards to East Asia.

Speaking from experience, this could be the start of a great dumpling based pilgrimage through the continent…

Eating at Din Tai Fung in Taiwan.
Dining at Din Tai Fung with his ankylosaurus (and tea, lots of tea).

Find Din Tai Fung 

Check all details on the website for up to date menus and hours. 

DIN TAI FUNG
Website: www.dintaifung.com.tw

DIN TAI FUNG XINYI STORE
No. 194, Sec. 2, Xinyi Rd., Taipei City
Phone: +886 2 2321-8928
Hours: Monday to Friday 10.00am to 9.00pm

DIN TAI FUNG TAIPEI 101 STORE
B1, No. 45, Shifu Rd., Taipei City Taipei 101 Mall
Phone: +886 2 8101-7799
Hours: Sunday to Thursday 11.00am to 9.30pm
Friday, Saturday & the day before Holidays 11.00am to 10.00pm

Chopsticks, tea and dumplings = 4x very happy travellers in Taiwan. Dining at Din Tai Fung with kids.
Chopsticks, tea and dumplings = 4x very happy travellers in Taiwan.

Ps. We tried Din Tai Fung in Australia too! (That totally counts as ‘frequenting’ right? I told you we are obsessed!). Tell us where in the world you have tried Din Tai Fung and if you enjoyed it as much as us?!

More useful links for your travels in Taiwan and beyond…

These are the companies we use while traveling fulltime as a family and that we would recommend to anyone planning and booking travel. 

  • Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation and it’s easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally. 
  • Hostelworld– The largest inventory of hostel accommodation in the world. 
  • Skyscanner – This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.  
  • GetYourGuide– Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world including everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
  • SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country. 
  • World Nomads – Travel insurance tailored for longterm travel and nomads (including those who have already left home). 

Read more about travel in East Asia

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About Us

We are the Steiners: Sarah, Gavin, Harry and Oscar – a family from New Zealand with a love of travel and adventure together… Especially where it takes us off the beaten track! 

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