Magic Dumplings – Din Tai Fung
Steamed Pork Dumplings (known as Shaio Long Bao or Xiao Long Bao) is perfected at this mini-mall restaurant in Arcadia. This gem, Din Tai Fung, has the world’s best steamed dumplings… bar none. I’ve had steamed dumplings in Taipei, Hong Kong, the US, and even Shanghai. Though, arguably, people will say the original Din Tai Fung, in Taipei has the best. Everything here is made fresh and never frozen. You can see all the dumplings being made from the large glass window in the front. Anyways…
One Friday, I went with my friend to have lunch, before sneaking off to an afternoon matinee. After about a 1/2 hour wait, sometime more on weekends, we were finally seated. My suggestions is to get there early on the weekends – before 11am. We ordered steam pork & crab dumplings, rice & pork shaumai, and Shanghai rice cake. The dumplings were quite tasty, but I prefer the regular steamed pork dumplings. The meat inside the pork & crab dumplings tasted well, but the texture was not to my liking. The rice & pork shaumai was filling and was not that good, taste was lacking. The rice cake is a favorite of my friend as well as mine was expectedably good.
In the past, I have ordered the wholesome steamed chicken soup. I like soups and this one is one of my all time favorites. I prefer soups that are not hearty, not thick, and flavorful … but I will save that for another day… In addition, as I said before, I really like the regular steam pork dumplings. On one occasion, we, a party of four, ordered 4 orders of the pork variety, among other things… hmm so good. One thing I have never been able to order and that I have always wanted to try is the soup dumplings. These rare treats are only made on weekends and when I usually go, they are always out. I need to go on a Saturday night, when it is less crowded to get my order in. My mom is partial to the fish dumplings as well.
You see my pictures of the fried pork on rice, the steam dumplings, and the peanut sauce noodles.
Pork & Crab Dumplings – not recommended (get the pork dumplings) Pork & Rice Sha long bao – recommended (get the soup dumplings) Pork Steam Dumplings – recommended Shanghai Rice Cake – recommended Chicken Soup – recommended
(Last posted from my previous blog)
Din Tai Fung 1108 S. Baldwin Ave. Arcadia, CA 91007 (626) 574-7068 http://www.dintaifungusa.com/
