Is Dining in Taipei 101’s Din Tai Fung Overrated?
PORK XIAO LONG BAO (TWD 210/10 pieces)
Travel blogs and friends have contrasting opinions on whether or not one should add a visit to Din Tai Fung in an itinerary for Taipei. On one hand, people are saying that it’s a must-try as the Taipei 101 branch serves up exceptional fare. On the other, people are saying that it’s not worth one’s time especially since Din Tai Fung already has a local presence in the Philippines.
Prior to flying to Taiwan, I’d have to say that I took on the more pragmatic skip-Din-Tai-Fung mentality. However, upon the insistence of our wickedly awesome Taiwan tour guide, Xiao Huang, we ended up having lunch there anyway.
The waiting time for us to be seated was around 45 minutes. It may not have provided seats for diners in queue such as what the SM Megamall branch does; however, it’s situated right across a row of interesting souvenir shops and kiosks selling Taiwanese delicacies perfect for pasalubong that would keep you entertained while waiting.
SHAOHSING WINE MARINATED CHICKEN (TWD 300)
Its menu definitely features more options than the one in Manila, so choosing what to order may take a little longer. However, let’s be real. Everyone went here for the Xiao Long Baos, and they were beyond exceptional! The soup alone is a winner. Infused with so much umami, the soup becomes a prized commodity of which each drop seems to be sacred. To be honest, I’m not really a big fan of the Xiao Long Bao’s served by Din Tai Fung Manila. I actually prefer those served by Paradise Dynasty, Modern Shanghai, and Shi Lin! However, these were definitely something else!
FRIED PORK CHOP (TWD 130)
Of course, not everything on the menu tasted far from Manila’s. Taipei’s versions of the Fried Pork Chop and the Braised Beef Noodle Soup (TWD 250) were as underwhelming as those served in Manila’s. Smarter choices for appetizers would be the Shaohsing Wine Marinated Chicken and the Shrimp and Pork Pot Stickers (TWD 190/6pcs). The former is a subtle-tasting cold appetizer which features delicately prepared and marinated slices of chicken, while the latter (though sloppily and lazily plated) boasted of tremendously juicy dumplings!
STIR FRIED BIRD’S NEST FERN (TWD 300)
What I love about eating in Taiwan is that their vegetables are unbelievably fresh, crunchy, and have an innate sweetness to them. We ordered two types of vegetable dishes for this meal. The first would be the Sauteed String Beans with Minced Pork (TWD 130), a staple in Taiwanese cuisine. There was nothing really noteworthy about this dish if it weren’t for the quality of the beans themselves. The second vegetable dish was the showstopper between the two. The Stir Fried Bird’s Nest Fern wins primarily on the novelty factor. It was my first time trying this vegetable, so that already made it more interesting. Apart from the dish tasting absolutely delicious, it also came with curious-looking delicious caper-like substances that I still have yet to identify until today!
SHRIMP FRIED RICE (TWD 230)
Who knew that Shrimp Fried Rice would be interesting enough to be talked about? However, Din Tai Fung’s Shrimp Fried Rice definitely deserves some credit. This glistening heap of fried rice was a meal on its own. I don’t know what oil they used, but boy did it make the fried rice so tasty! Glistening as it may be, it’s definitely not oily so you wouldn’t have to worry about that undesirable sensation of oil on your lips.
NOODLES WITH MINCED PORK SAUCE (TWD 130)
I’m known to be quite partial towards any type of noodles paired with minced pork (Tantanmen, anyone)? However, Din Tai Fung’s Noodles with Minced Pork Sauce was definitely the bomb! I think I almost finished an entire bowl of this dish on my own. I was simply in heaven. I think what sets it apart from other minced pork noodle dishes was that it tossed in chunks of sweet Chinese Sausage which gave the dish an interesting kick of cured sweetness.
All I have to say is that I’m just so fortunate that we ended up listening to Xiao Huang’s suggestion. Dining in Din Tai Fung – Taipei 101 branch is definitely NOT overrated. It’s a must-try experience (even if you ate in its offshore branches countless of times). I guess Taiwanese food simply tastes better in Taiwan!
Din Tai Fung – Taipei 101 Branch
B1F, No. 45, Shifu Road, Xinyi District, Taipei
Date of Visit: January 3, 2017 with Wilson Chua, Lily Chua, Jared Chua, Jem Chua, and Xiao Huang
