Calling all chronically-online foodies! We’ve all seen the way Din Tai Fung has taken social media by storm in the past year, and the Taiwanese chain restaurant has people all over the globe coming in to try their most raved about menu items. Due to the special dining experience and high-quality food, there is a major buzz surrounding DTF, making it super popular within the online food community. Thousands of people share clips of their favorite Din Tai Fung menu items, the awestriking dumpling-making process (which you can see through a glass window into the kitchen), and other standout parts of the experience. From soup dumplings to garlicky vegetables, I decided to comb through all the posts to curate a perfect DTF order. After my visit to the NYC location last weekend, I’m here to report what’s really worth your money… and what I think is slightly overrated.
Cucumber Salad
People swear by this DTF appetizer and have even made it an at-home staple as well. The Persian cucumbers are doused in sesame oil and a signature Din Tai Fung chili oil, making this dish a refreshingly spicy palate cleanser. The $9 veggie fix is definitely tasty and also provides a great starter for your big Asian feast, but I have to admit that saving your money may be the move here. While the cucumbers aren’t bad, I don’t think they’re as outstanding or rave-worthy as people claim online, so I’d say pick something else for the greens portion of your plate.
Peach Green Tea w/ Boba
I wanted to try at least one drink during my visit to Din Tai Fung, and people raved about their boba online. I’m not a huge fan of tapioca pearls (I normally go for popping boba instead), but these bubbles were way better than what you’d find at a normal boba shop. We chose peach as the green tea flavor and the sweet, fruity tea paired perfectly with the fresh pearls at the bottom of the drink. I’d recommend customizing your tea to your own preferences, but you cannot forget to add the boba.
Korobuta Pork Xiao Long Bao
Diving into the meat of our meal, these pork soup dumplings are the centerpiece of any DTF dinner. Every table in the restaurant comes with a step-by-step guide showing you how to properly eat xiao long bao, which we followed exactly to get the full experience. Our server showed us how to mix the two sauces to create a perfect dipping pool for the dumplings, and I’m here to report that these are a must-try if you’re visiting. They have a crab and chicken variation as well, but from my experience, I’d say you cannot go wrong with the pork.
Chicken Spicy Wontons
The handmade DTF wontons are a must-order item for all different kinds of taste buds. I don’t always do well with spice, but the house sauce goes perfectly with the green onion and garlic topping to create a delicious sauce with a satisfying kick. People online mix their wontons entirely in the sauce before trying them, and I definitely think that this is the only proper way to enjoy them.
String Beans with Garlic
If you weren’t planning on getting your greens in, you better think again because this DTF dish was my absolute favorite of the whole dinner. The unique kick from hints of salty and umami flavors elevates plain, steamed vegetables in a whole new way. On top of the amazing taste, the portion size of these is quite large, making it a hefty and healthy side dish for your seemingly endless dinner.
Chicken Fried Rice
While it may look bland or unassuming, rumor has it that the Din Tai Fung fried rice wowed people more than any other variation they’ve had. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but unfortunately, I have to disagree with these videos. The fried rice wasn’t as special as the rest of our items, making me wish I had ordered something more flavorful instead. However, use the leftover sauce from your spicy wontons to give the fried rice an extra kick.
Chocolate & Mochi Xiao Long Bao
Dessert was never a debate because of how popular the chocolate xiao long bao was in all the DTF social media coverage. Talk about a star dish. I couldn’t imagine a better way to end this amazing experience than these oozingly delicious pockets of chocolate. When people online said you can’t miss out on getting the side of sea salt cream too, I didn’t realize how important that would actually be. The cold salty treat paired with the explosion of hot chocolate filling soothes your taste buds and creates a perfect, sweet combination.