Din Tai Fung Tianmu Branch — Restaurant in Shilin District

There is a Din Tai Fung in pretty much every SOGO department store in Taipei. This branch is located in the basement of the Tianmu SOGO.

The biggest con of coming here is the long wait in line. It still amazes me that the lines for Din Tai Fung are always so long. I would expect to wait at least an hour if you are eating during normal meal times.

Food: 4.5 stars Environment: 3 stars Service: 4.5 stars Value: 4 stars Recommendations: chilly oil wontons, fried rice, pork soup dumplings.

Din Tai Fung branches are now all over the world. A lot of people believe that the Taiwan branches are better than the international locations. I would say they are better but not significantly better. The place is famous for the soup dumplings and you will definitely need to order those. My favorite thing here is by far the chili wontons. I haven’t had a better version of this dish at any other restaurant.

What is definitely better is the service. The staff here is very friendly and happy to serve. They still remain polite and calm even though the place is always crazy busy and full of inpatient customers who have been waiting for an...

Fantastic experience at this location!

We arrived a bit before opening at 10 am on Sunday and we were seated after everyone who had a reservation. We ordered through a site from the qr code at the table. Someone came over to confirm our order and checked on the pacing of the desserts we ordered. All the servers were courteous and attentive. They cleared our dining dishes and provided new utensils and plates for dessert. I love when the server does a quick wipe of the table to clear any stray food on the table before the next course. You will pay at the entrance on your way out with the qr code. Very happy to pay the 10% gratuity as an American traveler who is used to paying so much more service charge for less service.

I loved the crab roe xiaolongbao with the juiciness and texture from the roe. The buns are delicious and spectacularly made. I prefer the custard lava and taro flavors. The mustard green noodle felt so fresh with the ingredients and texture of the noodles. I also enjoyed the hot and sour soup. I was pleasantly delighted with the lightness of the soup and again the clean feel of the...

If you go before the shopping centre (Sogo) opens, enter via the main entrance. Basement 1 and its various stalls will be open. I was given a QR code to order, which took me to their website. Luckily, I've worked with enough online menus and recognised enough Chinese characters to be able to view the menu in English. (But, if you're not so lucky, I'm sure one of the many servers will be happy to help.) It's my first time trying Din Tai Fung in its motherland (I loved it in Sydney) and it did not disappoint. I reckon it tasted better in its native land! There were more items in the menu than they do in Sydney. (But, unfortunately, they did not have my favourite dessert, which was taro in fried spring-roll-looking-type thing.) They were very efficient - constantly refilling your tea. And clearing the used plates/platters/bowls. It was clear that service was also a priority of Din Tai Fung - as I saw, and experienced, good services in all shops: Taipei, Kuala Lumpur, Sydney. It's one of the reasons why it's my favourite...