Hao Kung Tao Chin Chi Yuan (Da'an) — Restaurant in Da'an District

A Timeless Taste of Taiwan: Hao Kung Tao Chin Chi Yuan In the bustling Da'an district of Taipei, where many restaurants vie for attention, a humble two-story eatery stands out for its timeless charm and exceptional food. Hao Kung Tao Chin Chi Yuan, a place that feels as though it has been transported directly from old-school Hong Kong, is a delightful journey for the taste buds. It's a testament to the fact that some of the best food is found in the most unassuming of places, served with a warmth that is nothing short of grand.

The dining experience here is a world away from the sterile, modern feel of many other establishments. The restaurant is located on the second floor, a large, spacious area that bustles with activity. The real magic, however, lies in the staff. The cashiers and the entire service team are made up of kind and incredibly helpful grandmas, who add a heartwarming, familial touch to the atmosphere. Their genuine kindness and willingness to help, even speaking English to assist "difficult foreigners" with a smile, make the dining experience truly special. For those new to the cuisine, the picture menu is a welcome and helpful guide.

Now, for the main event: the food. In a word, it is "yummy!" The dumplings are the stars of the show, served fresh, hot, and bursting with a juicy, savory flavor. The prawn dumplings were a particular highlight, their freshness and deliciousness making them an absolute must-order. The xiao long bao, or soup dumplings, are a standout, with a richness of flavor that, for some, surpasses even the famously refined taste of competitors like Din Tai Fung. The key to enjoying them? A local tip suggests sautéeing the ginger in a bit of soy sauce and then tucking it into the dumpling for an incredible flavor explosion.

Beyond the dumplings, the menu is filled with other fantastic options. The pork chop soup noodle is a comforting and flavorful dish, with a well-seasoned and tender pork chop. The three meat soup, a delicious mix of liver, pork strips, and prawn, is a good option if you like clear, comforting broths, though the liver was a little overcooked for our taste. However, the sesame noodles are also highly recommended, showcasing the restaurant’s ability to execute a variety of delicious, rich dishes with an impressive depth of flavor.

The restaurant's efficiency is remarkable. Despite a constant flow of customers, the food arrives quickly and piping hot, a true sign of a well-oiled operation. This makes it a great spot for a quick, satisfying meal.

Verdict:

Hao Kung Tao Chin Chi Yuan is a fantastic choice for anyone in Taipei looking for a fresh, authentic, and delicious meal. The combination of exceptional food, especially the dumplings, and the genuinely kind, welcoming staff makes it a destination you cannot go wrong with. It's an excellent alternative for those who love dim sum and dumplings, and a place I highly recommend for both locals and travelers seeking a memorable,...

This place was a big letdown tonight. Been here twice, and I still believe their soup dumplings are amazing, but everything else is subpar or average. For example, their tusi mai had a dense starchy skin. It was a rudimentary dumpling, which has no affiliation with a traditional, thin wonton skin wrap I’ve tried most of their dim sum offerings. Maybe the main dishes and noodle dishes are better? The only reason why I don’t rate this place lower is because of the one item I mentioned.

My order tonight took forever. There is no rhyme or reason. In my room I was the first to order, but everybody else got their food first. I waited over half an hour for my food to come. The only thing I could think happened was I placed an additional item on my order. My advice is to order the soup dumplings to go and sample the many wonderful restaurants in this neighborhood within short walking distance. If you decide to dine in just walk straight upstairs. Otherwise just fill out a checklist for a...

Everything other than the xiaolongbao was terrible. And the xiaolongbao that the place is famous for was average at best. The noodles in the sesame noodles dish were overcooked and soft. The shredded pork noodles tasted like NOTHING...no flavor at all! And the edamame was excessively greasy while none of the flavours had soaked in. The outer covering of the xiaolongbao was not evenly thick and the worst part was that it was breaking apart and letting all the soup out. The soup inside tasted more greasy than flavorful. At 120 NTD/8 pieces it was definitely over priced considering the very mediocre quality. And to make the whole experience worse the tiny plastic soup spoons don't even fit the piece of xiaolongbao and one of them toppled right out and fell on the floor. Next time I would rather just go to Din Tai Fung for better quality and service at more or less the same price or Little Shanghai for their excellent...