Is it just me, or has Din Tai Fung lost its lustre? When I first arrived in Sydney around 5 years ago it was THE go-to place for dumplings. Now it seems a bit commoditized — I’ve ordered dumplings at other food courts at the CBD Westfield and The Star and it just doesn’t taste as special anymore. So this branch of DTF is in a food court, but there’s a special area for it making that part feel more like a proper restaurant. I ordered takeaway because my friend ordered from somewhere else, and we sat at the food court. It was $ 12.80 for 8 pieces of xiao long bao dumplings. I know I shouldn’t have been surprised, having ordered the same from other food courts, but it struck me the other night just how small they were. And rather unfulfilling. And they were okay, but not particularly tasty. I think that’s the last time I’ll crave for DTF dumplings. I mean, if I’m desperate and they’re there, why not? But they’re no longer the stuff my dumpling dreams are made of.
Ari B.
Place rating: 5 Leander, TX
Love it. I am usually a fried dumpling person but the steamed dumpling here are amazing! The customer service is fast and attentive. We were given a bag to hold our shopping in that sat beside our table. Our water was refilled every time it approached empty. There is even a helpful little guide for those who have never enjoyed steamed dumplings before. There are a variety of deserts to choose from, unlike a lot of dumpling restaurants. The wine selection is decent. But the best part was the broth in the pork steamed dumplings– fantastic. I could really just drink a liter of that stuff!
Mary H.
Place rating: 4 Sydney, Australia
Very lite meal — ordering is made easy with the tick boxes on the menu and electronic device to alert you when your meal is ready… Gives you a chance to find seating — great value too — down side very busy not the best place for children.
Jason T.
Place rating: 4 Redfern, Australia
Din Tai Fung is a world wide chain renowned for serving up some of the best dumplings you will find anywhere. The décor at the Central Park location is fresh and new, as you’d expect given it is their latest restaurant to open in the area. Unlike the PItt Street Mall version, this restaurant offers the full menu at the same prices as the World Square location. It can be a bit pricey depending on what you order(and how much) but you can get yourself a dumpling soup and a pork bun for less than $ 15. However, the real reason you go to Din Tai Fung is for the dumplings which start from $ 10.80 for six of the basic pork dumplings up to $ 19.80 for eight of the crab meat and roe variety. This location is probably better than World Square because there is less wait time for dinner. It also takes bookings, but only for large groups.
Jonathan R.
Place rating: 4 Long Beach, CA
This chain of Taiwanese dumpling houses serves up some of the best Chinese chow that can be obtained. Anything with pork or seafood is great! They are most famous for their pork soup dumpling with the hot liquid center. Nothing quite like it. The service is very«respectful» in fact, a little too formal for my tastes. Its almost off-putting. Be sure to ask for the chilli paste if you like spicy. I could eat here every day, but then I would end up looking more like a giant dumpling myself. It literally gushes with liquid porky goodness.
Kyoko F.
Place rating: 5 Petersham, Australia
Besides the obvious reason of the food being absolutely fantastic, I rate din tai fung as they are able to keep the high standard at every restaurant around the world.