What to order at Din Tai Fung
Must-eats at Taiwan's world famous restaurant
Din Tai Fung is one of Taiwan’s best-known restaurants and is renowned for its xiaolongbao, or soup dumplings. It is also an easy place to sample Taiwanese dishes in a setting that is welcoming for visitors unsure where to start.
The restaurant does not take reservations and seating is first-come, first-served, so expect a wait. It's not unusual to have to hang around for a couple of hours for your table in Taipei.
The menu is available in multiple languages and is full of reliable pleasers. If you're not sure what to order, This Is Taipei recommends starting with these three dishes.
#1: Pork Xiaolongbao
The dish that put Din Tai Fung on the map
Pork Xiaolongbao are the Din Tai Fung classic that made the restaurant famous around the world and they are taken very seriously. Head to any branch and you will likely see chefs behind a glass wall carefully preparing the bite-sized soup dumplings.
Known for their delicate, paper-thin skin, each dumpling is individually weighed, filled, rolled, and folded by hand. Inside is a mouthful of hot, savory broth and pork filling.
There are instructions on the table on how to eat the xiaolongbao, and your server will be happy to explain the ideal ratio of soy sauce, rice vinegar and fresh ginger that you dip them in before tucking in. For those trying them for the first time, it is recommended that you forego any type of sauce to fully appreciate the flavor.
The classic pork version cost NT$140 for five pieces or NT$280 for 10, while other fillings include crab roe and pork, chicken, green squash and shrimp, truffle and pork, and mixed greens and mushrooms.
#2: Shrimp Fried Rice (With Egg)
Fluffy, fragrant and straight from the wok
Made with freshly steamed rice rather than cold rice, Din Tai Fung's Shrimp Fried Rice (With Egg) is stir-fried over high heat, giving it a light, fluffy, almost silky texture and a fragrant, savory flavor, according to the restaurant's official website.
It's proper comfort food, and when This Is Taipei ordered the dish in June 2026, we were pleasantly surprised by how many shrimp were in it.
The shrimp version costs NT$300. Other options include pork chop fried rice for those looking for something heartier, as well as shrimp-only, shredded pork, and vegetable and mushroom versions for vegetarians.
#3: Din Tai Fung House Special
An unusual mix of flavors that somehow works
If you're looking for something a little different, the Din Tai Fung House Special combines seaweed, bean sprouts, glass noodles, and dried bean curd in a light vinaigrette dressing.
On paper, it sounds like a slightly random collection of ingredients, but it's one of the menu's most refreshing dishes.
The balance of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors works surprisingly well, while the bean sprouts and seaweed provide a satisfying crunch. At NT$120, it is also one of the less expensive items on the menu and a good option for vegans.
