Skip Din Tai Fung: Head to these local favorites instead
Three local steamed dumpling spots serving up great food without the queues and tourist prices
Xiaolongbao are delicate steamed dumplings filled with seasoned meat and a rich, savory broth that forms during cooking. Known for their thin, tender skin and piping-hot soup, they are often eaten for breakfast, but are a great shout at any time of the day.
In Taiwan, xiaolongbao are especially beloved and often associated with Din Tai Fung, a world-famous chain that helped put the soup dumplings on the global map.
But while Din Tai Fung is celebrated for its consistently tasty xiaolongbao, some find them overpriced and not worth the long wait.
The good news? Taipei is packed with smaller eateries serving up equally delicious and more affordable xiaolongbao in casual, no-frills settings. This Is Taipei has compiled a list of three of our favorites.
#1: Xianzhushi
Fast, simple, and reliably good
Xianzhushi (陷煮食) is a small, unpretentious spot serving up juicy xiaolongbao and a handful of other tasty dishes.
When This Is Taipei visited on a Sunday, there was no wait at lunchtime, and we briefly had the place to ourselves. The restaurant filled up within 10 minutes, however, so it’s best to avoid peak times or expect a wait.
We recommend starting with the original-flavor xiaolongbao (NT$130 for eight dumplings), along with the spicy wontons (NT$75). Both were oozing with taste.
The restaurant is simple and efficient: order, eat, go. Food comes out fast, and diners are expected to fill out their order sheets and grab condiments and side dishes themselves. The menu is available in both Chinese and English.
Located between Guting and Taipower Building MRT stations, Xianzhushi is open daily from 12 PM to 9 PM.
#2: Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao
Reliable, unfussy xiaolongbao near Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
The restaurant is run by the Huang brothers, who, along with head chef Yang, trained under a Shanghai master, according to the Michelin Guide’s Chinese listing. It focuses on straightforward, ingredient-driven xiaolongbao made fresh daily.
Popular with tourists, the menu is in English, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. The food is fresh and fast. A portion of xiaolongbao costs NT$180 for eight, and you take small dishes from the counter yourself. This Is Taipei recommends you try the eggplant, which comes in a tangy sauce. Cans of Taiwan Beer are also available.
There can be a wait at the weekend, so we recommend you either arrive early (11 AM for lunch or 4:30 PM for dinner) or be prepared to line up. We rolled up at 11:45 AM and only had to wait 15 minutes — but the queue got very long after that.
When you show up, there's a machine at the door. Take a number that says how many people are in your party and wait to be called. The system is in Chinese, but it's simple to navigate, and staff will be there to help you.
About a 10-minute walk from Dongmen MRT Station, it's open daily for lunch between 11 AM and 2:30 PM and for dinner between 4:30 PM and 9:30 PM.
#3: Jinan Fresh Steam Dumpling
A polished, quieter xiaolongbao experience
Jinan Dumpling offers a more refined take on the xiaolongbao experience, with its sleek marble tables, ultra-clean space, and attentive service. When This Is Taipei dropped by near the end of dinner service, there was no wait for a table, though the food took a little while to arrive.
The Jinan xiaolongbao (NT$210 for eight) are a good choice, but we also recommend trying the shrimp dumplings, or — if you want to splash out — the pork and truffle flavored dumplings, which are delectable.
You can help yourself to a small selection of appetizers. Beer is also on sale.
Based on our experience, most of the staff don't speak English, but we saw them using iPads to communicate with people who don't speak Chinese.
The restaurant is just a few minutes' walk from Zhongxiao Xinsheng MRT Station. It opens for lunch from 11:20 AM to 2:30 PM and for dinner between 5 PM and 8:30 PM.
In conclusion...
Don't default to Din Tai Fung. Taipei is packed with small, character-filled spots serving up soup dumplings just as satisfying as the big-name chain.
