Din Tai Fung, the Best Things to Order

Here's what to order at Din Tai Fung, from someone who's eaten there too many times to count, at four different locations, and even taken it "to-go" on the plane to vacation.

Sure, the juicy, soupy, broth-filled xiao long bao are the what they're famous for, and you can't go wrong with whatever filling you get (personally, I love the Black Truffle). But here are all the other things in addition to the dumplings you MUST order when you finally make it past the 2-hour wait time.

XLB DTF SCP OMG

Hope your weekend is full of juicy little dumplings. Xiao long bao, or otherwise.

Spicy Wontons | Din Tai Fung

Before we get to anything else, above all else, if you walk in and get nothing else, order the Spicy Wontons! It doesn't matter which kind of wonton, shrimp, chicken, pork, even vegan! The dish is all about the sauce. To be honest, you could get by with just Spicy Dumplings and skip the xiao long bao altogether. Blasphemy? Maybe.

Pro-tip: Ask for extra spicy sauce on the side. They won't always do it, but if so, you'll use it as a sauce for everything else you order.

Pro Pro-tip: Ask for a Spicy Sauce to go. It may or may not be formally on the menu depending on which location you are in, but ask. If they charge you for it (maybe something like $3.99?), it's worth it.

Spicy Cucumber Salad | Din Tai Fung

Now let's get started with the Spicy Cucumbers. As far as we're concerned, order one per person. I have doordashed Din Tai Fung and gotten 2 orders of the cucumbers for myself.

Also, you can make Spicy Cucumbers at Home with this recipe!

Green Beans and Cabbage with Garlic | Din Tai Fung

The two green vegetables you MUST order are the Green Beans, which have a kind of cult-like following on social media, and Taiwanese Cabbage with Garlic, which is an absolute sleeper because like, who the hell goes to a restaurant and orders the most boring vegetable in the world? You do. Trust me, the Cabbage is a must.

You can make the Cabbage with Garlic at home with this recipe dupe!

Garlic Sauteed Broccoli | Din Tai Fung

Not surprisingly, the entire vegetable section is AMAZING and if you have someone in your orbit who refuses to eat green vegetables, you could probably convert them with the Garlic Broccoli, since broccoli is a familiar vegetable, and the garlic makes it, like I said, AMAZING.

BLACK TRUFFLE Xiao Long Bao | Din Tai Fung, South Coast Plaza

NEW FAVORITE, though it does seem a little extravagant to pay MORE than $20 (?) for only five (5) dumplings. Worth it at least once.

Fresh Ginger and Black Vinegar | Din Tai Fung

Otherwise, all of the xiao long bao are good, though the pork XLB always seem to be the "juiciest" with the most broth inside the dumplings.

Remember to eat each dumpling out of the big spoon with a drizzle of black vinegar and a few slivers of fresh ginger.

Stir Fried Sticky Rice Cakes | Din Tai Fung

We always save the larger carbohydrate dishes toward the end of the meal, and for us, Stir Fried Sticky Rice Cakes are the most important. The dish basically tastea like a non-spicy Korean Dduk Bok-ki. I personally prefer the vegetable version. If you eat meat, the Sliced Shredded Pork is the best version.

Chicken Fried Rice | Din Tai Fung

Order Chicken Fried Rice at the END of the meal because it's so good, you don't want to fill up on starchy carbs before all the other delicious things.

Pro-tip: This is where you add the extra Spicy Sauce you ordered. You DID order that, right?

Chili Oil, Soy Sauce, Black Vinegar Condiments | Din Tai Fung

Boba Milk Tea | Din Tai Fung, South Coast Paza

Dumpling Cooks in the Kitchen | Din Tai Fung

Din Tai Fung

We got into the line outside along the driveway, not knowing that we were in line to get into another line, to put our names on a list. The wait was a little more than two (2) hours. The opening hype has died down, but the wait can still be that long, if not longer. If you plan ahead though, you can arrive early enough to put your name down then shop around South Coast Plaza until you receive a text message alerting you that the restaurant is ready to seat you.

Airy, clean interior, with outdoor seating as well. Efficient service (once you actually get to sit down!) Food at any location has never disappointed.