Din Tai Fung hits London - how did London respond?

Gavin Hanly 07 December 2018

This week, leaving it right up to the last minute, one of the year's biggest openings happened. After much anticipation, Din Tai Fung opened in Covent Garden. Here's how it went...

Things started off ominously when enquiries were made as to how long a wait there might be...

Din Tai Fung UK are anticipating a 4 - 5 hour wait with a text-back queue system. 4. to. 5. HOURS.
— hollowlegs (@hollowlegs) December 3, 2018

But reports came in that, actually, it wasn't that bad at all, as long as you pick the right time...

I finally made it to Din Tai Fung yesterday. At 4:30 p.m., the wait was less than 15 minutes, but by the time I left there was a long queue. I love the xiao long bao. pic.twitter.com/ewQFFyPvzj
— Richard Vines (@Richardvines) December 7, 2018

To repeat, if you choose the right time...

Walked past Din Tai Fung on its opening night in London. Not sure about a 5 hour queue but there certainly was a long queue at 8pm! Good job we had a reservation across the road 😆 Will have to check it out another time... pic.twitter.com/TWBN79uYmS
— The Food Doctor (@essdubs2) December 6, 2018

The launch brought together the most unlikely of pairings...

Not that I could love @stephenfry any more than I already do... But the man makes excellent dumplings!! The other one however...#dintaifunglondon #dintaifung pic.twitter.com/g0Aa40Woc5
— BEATRIX ONG (@BeatrixOng) December 5, 2018

Once you're actually in the door - this is what it's all about:

View this post on Instagram

OMFG ~ It's FINALLY here! 🌠🌠🌠 After many years of waiting ~ @dintaifunguk officially opens in #London's @coventgardenldn tomorrow from 6pm... Freshly made #XLB soup dumplings, fluffy steamed buns, spicy noodles + much much more. TAG your friends and GO! 😋♥️💦 . . . #ThisIsLondon #Dumplings @London #🥟
A post shared by CLERKENWELL BOY (@clerkenwellboyec1) on Dec 4, 2018 at 12:52pm PST

View this post on Instagram

So @dintaifunguk opened a little early on soft launch tonight (full prices) and I literally ran over from my office when I heard. The XLB are as delicious as expected. I particularly also loved the wontons in superior broth, and am a little gutted we didn’t have the noodles with chicken soup as the ones with minced pork in soy bean paste that were recommended were fine if a little bland. The pork chop rice was all about that really eggy fried rice, and I enjoyed the cold cucumber and garlic pork. £33 a head with no booze or dessert might be considered a little high but given the immense skill of the kitchen staff - srsly go peer at them rolling that dough and stuffing the XLB - and London rents, I’m happy to pay it. Service was exemplary. Fully opens Wednesday.
A post shared by Lizzie Mabbott (@hollow_legs) on Dec 3, 2018 at 3:00pm PST

Yes - you're not going to be able to avoid xiaolongbao on Instagram in the run-up to Christmas...

But there's more to the place beyond the dumplings...

View this post on Instagram

Finally @dintaifunguk has arrived in London!!! 🎉 And Dan Dan noodles is one of my favourite dishes at Din Tai Fung! ❤️#foodporn #dintaifung #london #chinese #restaurant #dintaifung #dandannoodles
A post shared by Girl Wanderer (@girlwandereruk) on Dec 3, 2018 at 12:26pm PST

View this post on Instagram

Introducing your new lunchtime go-to: Our Prawn & Pork Wontons with Noodles in Sichuan Sauce.⠀ #DinTaiFung #London #foodporn
A post shared by Din Tai Fung UK (@dintaifunguk) on Dec 6, 2018 at 5:20am PST

View this post on Instagram

Din Tai Fung, Covent Garden Overall : 7.5/10 What we ordered: Pork Chop Noodles 🍜 - pork was good but portion was quite tiny Pork Xiao Long Bao - great! Taro Xiao Long Bao - good filling but skin was a bit tough Tea and Tapioca 🍹 - black tea with pearls but was SUPER SWEET Milk Bubble Tea 🍹 - Thai milk tea with tapioca pearls also super sweet Service : Really friendly staff! Price: 💷💷 (out of 3) Would recommend this place for Xiao Long Bao lovers out there but the price can be quite steep as compared to DTF in other countries! #londonfoodguide
A post shared by Amelia 🍣🍤🍜 (@asianeatslondon) on Dec 3, 2018 at 1:53pm PST

So, to sum up - the queues aren't actually that bad at all at the new Din Tai Fung, and what wait there is will be totally worth it. And don't forget - this is only the first Din Tai Fung in London - we're getting another one at Centre Point early next year...

More about Din Tai Fung

Where is it? 5-6 Henrietta Street, London WC2E 8PS

Find out more: Visit their website or follow them on Instagram @dintaifunguk

Subscribe to be the first to get the news from Hot Dinners