Din Tai Fung Xinsheng Branch — Restaurant in Zhongzheng District

Amazing experience at this legendary restaurant. Service was super quick, staffs were so friendly and fluent in English, Japanese and Korean. We arrived about 30 minutes before opening where the queue has just started. Make sure to queue on the left side, near the front desk, not where the seats are. If you bring large luggages, you may leave them with the front desk. They will label and place the luggage on the side.

When it’s your turn, they will give you a number on a piece of paper based on the number of people in your group. On that paper will be a QR code to scan and place your orders. The system was very efficient. The staffs will then guide you to your seats upstairs. The restaurant was so clean and simple yet elegantly decorated. The waiters/waitresses will immediately bring a basket for you to place your bags in or if you hang your bag by the chair, they will close it with a bag cloth holder to protect them. They will then start serving you the food.

Heres what we recommend (*Our favorites): *PORK XIAO LONG BAO. The must order legendary dish that Din Tai Fung is globally known for. I was so surprised at how soft and smooth yet elastic the skin was. Even when picking the bao up with chopsticks did not break the skin. The meat was so soft and succulent, the amount of juices contained in the bao was unreal. The flavour was not overwhelming, quite light actually, and leaves you craving for more.

*GREEN SQUASH AND SHRIMP XIAO LONG BAO. Similar to the above but with green squash and shrimp. The flavour was definitely more bold compared to just pork. It was still super juicy.

*SHRIMP AND PORK SHAO MAI. A uniquely shape shao mai. The pork and shrimp really balanced each other. Flavour was very light and skin was the same as the xiao long baos.

*SHRIMP FRIED RICE. The perfect fried rice. Fluffy and individual grains of rice on every bite, not oily. The egg and shrimp were cooked to perfection, flavour was light and garlicky.

*HOUSE SPECIAL SPICY SHRIMP AND PORK WONTON. Quite a spicy broth with silky smooth wontons. A generous amount of filling. Flavour was light similar to the xiao long bao but in a spicy umami broth.

*CRSIPY SHRIMP PANCAKE. Delicious shrimp pancake with a light crisp on the outside and soft inside. The shrimp flavour was actually quite strong and had the right amount of saltiness unlike the rest which were lighter.

CRAB ROE AND PORK XIAO LONG BAO. Similar to the pork xiao long bao with the addition of crab roe which I could hardly taste but it was still juicy and delicious.

TRUFFLE AND PORK XIAO LONG BAO. Similar to the pork xiao long bao with the addition of truffle which was actually quite mild (in a good way. Certain times truffle could be overpowering) and still juicy and delicious.

PORK BUNS. Buns were okay but not a fan of them.

FRIED PORK CHOP. Not really what I expected nor was it out of the ordinary.

TARO XIAO LONG BAO. Taro was delicious but the skin was a bit more chewy and sticky probably from the taro. I like the flavour but not so much the texture.

Overall, one of the most delicious breakfast we had in Taiwan. I would have thought we would pay twice or even triple the amount considering it’s a very well known restaurant, but price was actually decent for this quality. If I stayed in Taiwan, I would definitely eat...

小笼包 Signature Xiao Long Bao Taiwan DTF only has 5 Pieces compared to 6 Pieces in SG/JB 2025 Taiwan Price = TWD140 (S$5.70) 2025 Singapore Price = S$13.50 2025 JB Price = RM18.10 (S$5.60)

猪排蛋炒饭 Signature Pork Chop Fried Rice 2025 Taiwan Price = TWD310 (S$12.56) 2025 Singapore Price = S$14.30 2025 JB Price = RM30.17 (S$9.20)

As you can see, Singapore is the Most Expensive to eat DTF, and JB is the Most Affordable while Taiwan sits in the Middle and of course it is the Original Place to eat DTF.

The Original 1st DTF is at Xinyi Branch where I ate in 2019. After Covid however, it is now ONLY for Takeaways and their Nearest Dine-In is this Xinsheng Branch which is just a 3 Mins Walk Away.

The Staffs are Well-Groomed, Professional and Polite and are Obviously Very Busy. No issues with the Customer Service at all. They know that they represent THE ACTUAL MAIN DTF HQ in Taiwan and their Customer Service absolutely reflects this.

小笼包 Pork Xiao Long Bao (5 Pieces) = TWD140 (S$5.70) 猪排蛋炒饭 Pork Chop Egg Fried Rice = TWD310 (S$12.56)

Due to Text Limit Constraints, I won't go into details describing every Ingredient here. If you are interested to know more, come visit my Facebook Food Blog: "A Solo Singaporean's Guide to JB Foods (And More!)" to view the Full Review with Photos.

Conclusion and Closing Thoughts

At TWD140 (S$5.70) for the Signature 小笼包 Pork Xiao Long Bao, this Price lean Closer to JB DTF Price although I was surprised to find only 5 Pieces compared to the 6 Pieces for JB DTF.

Quality and Taste is Pretty Much the Same although I was Surprisingly Disappointed that Taiwan DTF felt less Premium when they used Parchment Paper instead of Cloth that is used in JB DTF. In fact I'm abit surprised that this Cloth is not a Standardized Thing across all DTF apparently.

At TWD310 (S$12.56) for their Signature Pork Chop Egg Fried Rice, this Price lean Closer to 🇸🇬 SG DTF Price and as such I feel is Not as Affordable. The Pork Chop Meat felt slightly Smaller and I was very surprised of its Lighter Colour too. The Fried Rice Component was Noticeably Done at a Much Higher Level than JB DTF for sure though with its Much More Vibrant Appearance and Bigger Pieces of Egg and a More Generous Amount of Scallion Slices.

Overall, I'm surprised that while Taiwan DTF did most things better, like Customer Service Level and Free Cup of Tea, I'm surprised that there are certain things JB DTF actually did better especially when using Cloth as Base which felt More Premium rather than using Parchment Paper. The Difference in the Amount of XLB was also quite surprising for me.

The Customer Service for Taiwan DTF for me was the True Highlight. Throughout my Whole Meal, I thought the Service had a More Premium and Personal Touch with the Little Things they did such as taking the Effort to even Cover Up my Bag with a Cloth Cover.

I was lucky to have had the Chance to dine in their Original Xinyi Branch in 2019, but this New Place in Xinsheng does lives up to its Name. In fact, I thought the Queue System here felt Slightly More Organized compared to Xinyi. Coming to the Actual Main HQ of DTF to eat DTF in Taiwan was a Really Exciting Experience!

Thanks for Reading. Come join my Facebook Food Blog: "A Solo Singaporean's Guide to JB Foods (And More!)" to view the Full Review...

Authentic Taiwanese Delights in Taipei

Din Tai Fung is synonymous with delicious soup dumplings, and the Xinsheng branch in Taipei did not disappoint. While the wait was long (about 70 minutes), they did an excellent job of managing expectations by digitally displaying wait times and announcing them in multiple languages. We were lucky to have brought our umbrellas to help us brave the rain, which was a thoughtful touch. According to Yelp, there are two Din Tai Fung outlets on this street, but locals directed us to this one, noting the other is for takeout only. Din Tai Fung's Xinsheng location in Taipei offers a culinary adventure far surpassing its US counterparts. The menu here boasts greater variety, bolder flavors, and additional standouts.

Bolder, Authentic Flavors

Unlike the adapted tastes of its US menu, the Xinsheng branch serves authentic Taiwanese flavors. Expect dishes with complex profiles combining savory, sweet, spicy, and sour notes, featuring unique ingredients like preserved vegetables and dried shrimp.

The Xiao Long Bao is a revelation, with even thinner skins and more robust flavors, including shrimp or crab roe variants. The menu's breadth is impressive, featuring regional Taiwanese dishes like braised pork belly, oyster omelets, and the infamous stinky tofu. Seasonal offerings like bamboo shoots and wild vegetables reflect the local produce's freshness.

Standout Dishes

Hand-ripped noodles offer a satisfying chewiness, a textural contrast not to be missed. The variety of vegetarian options, from dumplings to noodle soups, is also noteworthy. Traditional Taiwanese sweets like red bean soup and shaved ice are delightful discoveries for dessert.

Some exclusive dishes include Spicy Sichuan Wontons in a fiery sauce, Three Cup Chicken with a rich, aromatic flavor, Taiwanese Sausage, and the ever-popular Scallion Pancakes.

Atmosphere and Service

The atmosphere was bustling and lively, with patrons from all corners of the continent adding to the overall cultural experience. The service was efficient and friendly, even with the language barrier. While English proficiency might be lower than in the US, the staff were incredibly accommodating and eager to please.

Worth the Wait?

Yes, the wait was long, but the experience at Din Tai Fung Xinsheng Branch was well worth it. The food was exquisite, the atmosphere unique, and the service commendable. This is the place to go if you're looking for authentic Taiwanese cuisine. Just be prepared to wait a bit and embrace the cultural immersion.

Tips: Make a reservation if possible, especially during peak hours. Dress comfortably, as you might be waiting or standing for a while. Be patient with the waitstaff if your Chinese isn't perfect. Come with an adventurous spirit and be ready to try new dishes!

The Xinsheng branch of Din Tai Fung offers an exceptional dining experience beyond dumplings, showcasing the depth and diversity of Taiwanese cuisine. Just bring an appetite and be prepared for a truly unique...