This could just be one of the top ten places to go when you are visiting Taiwan!
(Especially if you are a hardcore fan of XLB or going for the brand)
I've noticed that Din Tai Fung is almost a popular choice for any meal of the day here in Singapore.
Be it breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner, most of the outlets will always be crowded with people.
Alright, well here in this case, I guess it's the same for Taiwan.
There are roughly eighteen outlets here in Singapore, as compared to Taiwan, which has only nine!
Imagine the crowd.
Therefore, when we arrived on a weekday at the most celebrated branch at Xinyi Road (nearest station : Dongmen Station, Exit 5), we were really amazed at the crowd.
It was CHAOTIC.
Ya, I know you will be questioning, where is the crowd?
This photo was taken hours after our meal in which we waited roughly half an hour for our turn (and I find the waiting time acceptable,guess we were really lucky).
At that point of time, there were really too many people crowding around, and for safety reasons, I didn't risk bringing my camera out to take a snap of the exterior.
Most of the people were pushing around to make their way out/in to the store.
Hence, here is a tip for you guys. (I am sure you will be as lost as I am)
Just push your way through the crowd (too,be barbaric LOL) and head straight to the counter to get your queue number.
You will then receive your queue number as well as a food order list (just like in Singapore).
Fortunately, the staff were really friendly and helpful too.
Look at this adorable mascot!
When it was finally our turn, we were famished.
Saw the hectic kitchen at level one where every chef was busily at work.
We climbed up till the fourth level before we were comfortably seated at a four-seater table.
Vinegar is a must for these little precious dumplings.
Translations shown on the menu for tourists who frequented the place.
And we also overheard a female waitress who could speak fluent Japanese to groups beside us.
Pork Xiao Long Bao (小笼包), 10 pieces at (TWD 200 ~S$8).
The favourite part has got to be the soup on the inside where it complements the skin of the dumpling as well as the pork meat wrapped altogether.
You can see why this bite-sized delicacy threw all the fans into frenzy mode.
There are also alternative fillings available for those who don't consume pork too.
And here is the Pork Ribs Noodle Soup (排骨面), in which the fried rice version won the hearts of many and one of them is me!
But I wasn't in the mood for rice at that moment, so I opted for something soupy.
Dayummm, those thick fat slices of juiciness are truly unforgettable and unbeatable.
I could just have ordered another set of meat just like that.
It's really really good.
Seemingly prawn-filled dumplings (虾肉蒸饺) which faired average.
Chinese Steamed Cake (千层油糕) which tasted pretty much like the Huat Kueh (hokkien).
Nothing much to shout about.
This has got to be my favourite version of the XLB.
The dessert version, Red Bean Xiao Long Bao (豆沙小笼包)!
We ordered a set of five just to try it, and I instantly fell in love at first bite.
Look at how much red bean filling it has!!!
Just pop these little darlings into your mouth and let them explode within your tastebuds.
If you are a red bean lover, this has got to be your addiction.
Thumbs up!
And here is a fun fact!
Do bring along a small notebook when you are in Taiwan.
There are always chops around lying somewhere in a corner and you can get to collect them all!
Like me! (these are only some I've collected)
YES, there is one hidden at Din Tai Fung too!
Look around! (;
Of course I should take a photo with the adorable one.
I know there are many distractions in the photo but I don't care. Heh.
If you have some empty space in your tummy, do consider to have some mango snowflake ice here at Yong Kang street.
You can't miss this huge shop when you walk along the streets.
We were both too full to have this, which was quite a pity because I heard this was quite good too!
Alrighties, that's all for now, folks!
Stay foodie!
...
N.194, Section 2,Xinyi Road,
Da'an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106
(Nearest station : Dongmen Station, Exit 5)
Mon - Fri : 10am - 9pm
Weekends & Holidays : 9am - 9pm
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