Last year, London welcomed the most famous dumpling restaurant in the world into its foodie fold – along with the queues that come with it.
Din Tai Fung has both cheap eats gurus and fine dining experts going bonkers for its buns, with the 60-year-old dumpling chain boasting fans across the globe.
So what is all the fuss about? And, crucially, how long will you have to queue? Here's everything you need to know about the arrival of the doyenne of the dumpling world.
What is Din Tai Fung?
Din Tai Fung is the largest dumpling restaurant chain in the world, boasting more than 160 sites globally.
The Taiwanese brand was founded in Taipei in 1958, and has a colossal following that has seen its outlets extend beyond Taiwan and Asia, with restaurants in Australia, the US and the Middle East.
Its locations in Macau and Hong Kong both hold Michelin stars, making them some of the cheapest Michelin-starred restaurants in the world.
When are where is Din Tai Fung opening in London?
Din Tai Fung opened its first UK location in London on December 5 last year, at 5-6 Henrietta Street in Covent Garden.
The massive 250-seat site opening marked Din Tai Fung’s first foray into Europe, with a second London restaurant due to open at Centrepoint in Tottenham Court Road in 2019.
What's on the menu?
Din Tai Fung fans will be glad to know that the signature xiaolongbao dish is on the London menu, at £10.50 for eight pieces.
Each of these iconic pork dumplings undergoes 40 minutes of hand preparation. Each stage of the process has a Dian Xin dim sum chef assigned to it, all of whom are trained for up to six months before they are allowed to serve the dish in the restaurant.
The dumplings are recognisable from the 18 plus pleats that used in their intricate wrapping.
Other items on the menu include jiao zi (£10.50-£11.50) and shao mai buns (£12.80-£14.50), as well as the restaurant’s famous Steamed Chicken Soup (£11), which is cooked for six hours.
The London site will also feature a cocktail bar serving Taiwanese cocktails, Chinese teas and traditional favourites including the Taiwan Pearl Milk Tea which comes with sweet tapioca pearls.
How can you get a table?
Din Tai Fung has a no reservations policy, meaning you won’t be able to book ahead.
Despite the restaurant boasting 250 covers, this means that restaurant faced four hour queues for the much-lauded dumplings in its first week of opening.
It may sound ludicrous to some, but the wait should be a walk in the park for those who queued 18 hours to try Filipino fried chicken at Jollibees.
Din Tai Fung will open at 5-6 Henrietta Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 8PT on December 5. For more information, visit dintaifung-uk.com
