Sunday 29 January 2012

Din Tai Fung - Sydney, Australia

Din Tai Fung

 

 


Ahhh those delicious soupy, pork dumplings. How could one resist. Derscribed as one of the 'world's greatest dumplings' it is made according to stringent specifications and quality control which is a contributing factor to its success. The dumpling pastry is delicately handmade by one of the many chefs that you see in the window at measurements between 4.8 and 5.2 grams, with an exact 6cm diameter and weighing in between 20.6 and 21.4 grams. I've never actually counted the number of pleats myself but apparently it is precisely done with 18 folds.


I visited the original Din Tai Fung in Tapei, Taiwan and can say that most items exactly look the same and taste the same but there are additional items on the menu in Taipei.

Today, we're at the World Square branch for brunch arriving at around 12pm. There isn't a crowd like we usually see possibly due to the school holidays. The establishment is extremely clean, simple and staff are very customer oriented.We are escorted to a table straightaway and given a menu, paper menu and pen to mark our orders. The waiter bring out a bag holder and covers it with a red cloth. Such great service!




Unlike the branch in Taipei that serves complimentary tea, here it is charged at $2.00 per person for unlimited Chinese tea. But it's a must have accompaniment with the dumplings as that hot tea matches very well and soothes out the throat.




The main reason we're here is to eat the 'Xiao Long Bao's'. Steamed pork dumplings filled with juicy pork filling served in bamboo baskets. I must admit, I haven't tasted a better xiao long bao anywhere else. Silky, delicate and paper thin pastry with juicy and tender pork within that holds super hot and yummy soup. We opt for two baskets of 8 each ($10.80/each) to share.




The 'Shrimp and Pork Packed in a Parcel ($9.80)' comes with 4 pieces. It tastes very similar to the xiao long bao but it lacks that juicy hit and I find that it is dry in comparison. Yet, I thoroughly enjoyed it.



I try a new dish this time around called the 'Hot and Sour Soup Small ($5.50)' as it seems popular amongst the other diners. It has an unusual taste and I think this may be due to Chinese wine. Don't think I will order this again. 



Another favourite of mine is the 'Shrimp and Pork Wonton Noodle in Spicy Sauce ($12.80)'. The noodles are cooked perfectly al dente and the wonton's are bursting with flavour. I find that the sauce isn't spicy at all possibly due to my high tolerance to spice but it is still extremely addictive. MUST order!




We order a vegetable dish to balance our meals out and decide on the 'Water Spinach Wok Fried with Garlic ($10.80)'. It's very bland but a vegetable dish is just that. I don't usually order vegetable dishes at Asian restaurants as they are just so overpriced.

No desserts this time around as we're so full that we struggle to get up.

If you haven't been to Din Tai Fung, I definitely recommend this place. The food is nice and refreshing, service is great and even though it slightly more price than some places it definitely worth it.  

Where?
World Square Shopping Centre
Level 1, Shop 11.04, 644 George St,
Sydney NSW 2000
Australia

Phone no: 02 9264  6010

Opening Hours
Lunch
Monday - Friday: 11:30am - 2:30pm
Saturday - Sunday: 11:00am - 3:00pm
Dinner
Monday - Wednesday: 5:30pm - 9:00pm
Thursday - Saturday: 5:00pm - 9:30pm
Sunday: 5:00pm - 9:00pm

Website
www.dintaifungaustralia.com.au


Din Tai Fung on Urbanspoon

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