Din Tai Fung Dumpling House

(626) 574-7068

1108 S Baldwin Ave
Arcadia, CA 91007 34.127 -118.0547

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Neighborhood: Arcadia

Price:

$

Last updated 11.14.09

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

Visa, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Local Favorite, Lunch Spot, Cheap Eats, Hidden Find

General Info:

Open 7 Days

Cuisine:

Dim Sum, Chinese

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Din Tai Fung Dumpling House

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

In Short – As the only U.S. outpost of a famed Taipei dumpling house, the hustle-and-bustle atmosphere only adds to the authenticity. Waitresses balancing dumpling tins rush between tables, while diners watch chefs wrap and steam in the glass-fronted kitchen. Highlights are Shanghai-style dumplings, pasta pillows filled with broth and meats like pork and crab. Crescent-shaped vegetable dumplings are loaded with minced greens; pork dumplings are crowned with little shrimp. The menu also features buns, soups and noodles.

Editor's Tips

Save Time:
Waits can be almost an hour for weekends lunches. Place your order with the hostess as soon as you arrive, and your food will be ready at about the same time you're seated.
ambiance
83.33000183105469% positive
  1. “Very nice location.”
  2. “No seriously- playing musical chairs for parking spaces requires your full attention.”
  3. “Maybe their business is that good that they can afford good decoration, as most Taiwanese restaurants are simple and cheap in decoration.”
  4. “the only downside to this amazing restaurant is the waiting time to be seated and to find parking.”
  5. “BEST PORK DUMPLINGS ANYWHERE it is the best in food in town and by far the best dumpling place in the area parking is a hassle but its worth it”
  6. “The dumplings are very good and the ambience is clean and orderly (vs. other dim sum restaurants), but the prices are astronomical !”
dessert
50.0% positive
  1. “The best item was the flat noodles and the red bean dessert dumpling.”
  2. “We love the fried rice, the dumplings/shiumai and even the little desserts.”
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. “If you're willing to wait, may I recommend bringing a power bar or two to tide you over, the cuisine truly is delectable and the experience the epitome of authentic.”
food quality
91.94000244140625% positive
  1. “The dishes were overpriced and comes in small portions.”
  2. “the best soup dumplings”
  3. “Restaurant is clean, service was not all that great, but the dumplings are sooo yummy.”
  4. “Great food.”
  5. “The first time I went, the dumplings were delicious and I've had many, especially in Taiwan.”
  6. “At this place, I've never once caught whiff of that smell and it makes eating the dumplings that much more yummy!”
  7. “speedy/prompt. We had freshly steamed, delicious juicy pork dumplings within 5-10 minutes of being seated.”
  8. “My experience has always been great and the food is always delicious.”
  9. “The egg fried rice was good - not as good as Taipei, but yummy nonetheless.”
  10. “Overall, this Arcadia restaturant may have great food, huge crowds, and a nice presentation, but the prices have been hugely marked up!”
  11. “We love the fried rice, the dumplings/shiumai and even the little desserts.”
  12. “Juicy pork dumpling the specialty will make you travel all the way to taiwan.”
  13. “Din Tai Fung was recommended by some Taiwanese friends (where this restaurant is originally from), but I was completely flabergasted by how TERRIBLE the food was.”
  14. “The pork dumplings are the best but I have not had the privilege of trying the soup dumplings yet!”
  15. “Extremely tasty, especially with some black vinegar, fresh ginger, and chile oil.”
  16. “The food is out of this world,the place is very clean(not always the case with many places)and it is cheap.”
  17. “Pork, chicken, veggies - nothing disappointed.”
  18. “Even my date, who is a vegetarian, enjoyed the meal.”
  19. “We like the pork & shrimp dumplings.”
  20. “go get a bunch of the pork and crab/pork, order a vegetable and some noodles, and you are set!”
  21. “They've got great chicken a.”
  22. “Their juicy dumplings, hot soup, and vegetables are excellent.”
  23. “BEST PORK DUMPLINGS ANYWHERE it is the best in food in town and by far the best dumpling place in the area parking is a hassle but its worth it”
  24. “THeir other type of dumplings are not bad either, but the pork dumpling is definitely the BEST!”
  25. “love the small size of it so you can put the whole thing in your mouth so you don't have to worry about the soup spilling out.”
  26. “Please enjoy the great dumplings, vegetables, chicken soup and then enjoy a brisk walk afterwards.”
  27. “The best soup dumplings ever.”
  28. “If you're willing to wait, may I recommend bringing a power bar or two to tide you over, the cuisine truly is delectable and the experience the epitome of authentic.”
  29. “Their shrimp dumpings are also terrific.”
  30. “We recommend it if you want yummy dumplings!”
  31. “Annywayyys, go to Din Tai Fung for the awesome crab meat shao long bao.”
  32. “Seating took a while because it was so crowded, but I guess that just means that their food is great.”
  33. “amazing food.”
  34. “While the dumplings are juicy and well deserving of the fame, not all the dishes there are good.”
  35. “The dumplings (as well as the other items on the short-order menu) served at this establishment are first-class, authentic treasures.”
  36. “Their togo package is thoughtful and the food are still good when you get home.”
  37. “Not only do you get to enjoy these delicious treats but also watch them being made the moment you walk in the door.”
  38. “Overall, the food is not bad, but if you'd rather be treated like a customer, perhaps take-out is an option.”
  39. “Sauteed spinach and garlic erupted with fresh taste in every bite, but nothing could compare to the dumplings.”
  40. “The food is scrumptious, but there is little on the menu for those who are on a meat (pork) free diet.”
  41. “The sweet and sour soup was not as good as other places but the crab siao lung bao and the fried rice are good.”
  42. “The best item was the flat noodles and the red bean dessert dumpling.”
  43. “Amazing food but be prepared to wait.”
  44. “just enjoy the food.”
  45. “The place was clean for the most part, and the food was delish!”
  46. “Super fresh dumplings, they make them right in front of the waiting area.”
  47. “AWESOME food”
  48. “Food is good, expensive compare to regular chinese food, very bad service!”
  49. “The juicy and tasty dumplings can just keep coming and we could finished them one container after another.”
  50. “The sauteed green beans, the pork chop fried rice and the chicken soup are also great.”
  51. “Besides the Siao Lung Bao, I think the Shrimp Wonton was very delicious.”
  52. “This hidden hotspot is delicious.”
  53. “yummy food”
  54. “the chicken soup here is so tasty and so yummy.”
  55. “Best pork dumpling ever!”
  56. “Try their juicy pork dumplings and seasonal veggies.”
  57. “This place is as close to authentic Chinese food as you're liable to find outside of Asia.”
  58. “Overall, the food is good and a good place to eat with your friends or family.”
  59. “Fast service, fresh dumplings and incredible green beans.”
  60. “We also loved their braised string beans, fried rice, and red bean encased in sticky rice and sesame seeds.”
menu variety
75.0% positive
  1. “The dumplings (as well as the other items on the short-order menu) served at this establishment are first-class, authentic treasures.”
  2. “however, the waiting is really extensive and sometimes you have to share a table with others.”
  3. “The wait for this place can be very extensive, so be there 10 minutes before they start service.”
  4. “The dumplings weren't as juicy and they had run out of a lot of items on the menu.”
  5. “The food is scrumptious, but there is little on the menu for those who are on a meat (pork) free diet.”
  6. “True, it's a bit on the pricey end and the wait can get extensive but definitely worth the wait!”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “Overall, the food is good and a good place to eat with your friends or family.”
  2. “BEST PORK DUMPLINGS ANYWHERE it is the best in food in town and by far the best dumpling place in the area parking is a hassle but its worth it”
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. “always go there when i come back home to la... the dumplings are good but not as good as the ones that my mother gets homemade.”
service
75.0% positive
  1. “90/10. Don't expect any good service at all - I was rushed by at least 4 different waitresses while still working on the last set of 10 dumplings with my friend.”
  2. “Fast service, fresh dumplings and incredible green beans.”
  3. “Restaurant is clean, service was not all that great, but the dumplings are sooo yummy.”
  4. “Food is good, expensive compare to regular chinese food, very bad service!”
  5. “The wait for this place can be very extensive, so be there 10 minutes before they start service.”
  6. “and true, service might not be too great, especially with the long wait, but its a chinese restaurant - don't expect too much.”
  7. “I'm not sure how people can say the service was bad at this restaurant.”
  8. “However, the hostess greeted us quickly and in a friendly manner and told us of their new restaurant just around the corner (which they opened over Thanksgiving).”
  9. “The service was good - my glass was always filled, and the empty plates were promptly cleared.”
  10. “Once seated the waitresses are extremely polite and HOT as well lol.”
value
63.63999843597412% positive
  1. “Good dumplings don't come cheap”
  2. “The dumplings are very good and the ambience is clean and orderly (vs. other dim sum restaurants), but the prices are astronomical !”
  3. “The only downside is how expensive this place is.”
  4. “Food is good, expensive compare to regular chinese food, very bad service!”
  5. “True, it's a bit on the pricey end and the wait can get extensive but definitely worth the wait!”
  6. “the price is pretty expensive for dumplings”
  7. “Overall, this Arcadia restaturant may have great food, huge crowds, and a nice presentation, but the prices have been hugely marked up!”
  8. “The food is out of this world,the place is very clean(not always the case with many places)and it is cheap.”
  9. “The dishes were overpriced and comes in small portions.”
  10. “BEST PORK DUMPLINGS ANYWHERE it is the best in food in town and by far the best dumpling place in the area parking is a hassle but its worth it”
  11. “Maybe their business is that good that they can afford good decoration, as most Taiwanese restaurants are simple and cheap in decoration.”
wait time
83.33000183105469% positive
  1. “The wait for this place can be very extensive, so be there 10 minutes before they start service.”
  2. “and true, service might not be too great, especially with the long wait, but its a chinese restaurant - don't expect too much.”
  3. “Annywayyys, go to Din Tai Fung for the awesome crab meat shao long bao.”
  4. “Our orders also came quickly and they were some of the best dumplings I've had in a long time.”
  5. “speedy/prompt. We had freshly steamed, delicious juicy pork dumplings within 5-10 minutes of being seated.”
  6. “just went to this restaurant for the first time and got there 10 minutes after opening (5:00 p.m.) and already the restaurant was full and there was a wait.”
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

01/08/12

No doubt the best dumpling. Willing to

by bubblekou

No doubt the best dumpling. Willing to share table with others can get you seated faster. The bakery opposite to it across plaza is good too

4 Star Rating: Recommended

10/07/11

Great place

by DougG2490

This is a great place for Dumplings! Honestly this is world famous

3 Star Rating: Average

06/21/11

What's all the fuss

by catholmes

Ok, I had to wait 45-50 minutes to get seated. I had some difficulty understanding the waitress. I did get my food right away. It tasted good, but not fantastic. I liked the food, but wasn't floored. Maybe expectations were too high going in. A couple of my friends ordered the noodle dishes. Not great. I guess that's why they're really known for their dumplings.

4 Star Rating: Recommended

06/17/11

Best restaurant in the area for dumplingds and more

by jeffbills

Great restaurant, great food. Been here a few times and I really like it.

1 Star Rating: Poor

09/06/10

Ridiculous Inconsistent Service

by tcko1012

We are a fan of this yummy Din Tai Fung and been going there for for 8 years, even we have to wait for long lines to be seated and many times of sharing table did not bother us, the worst is when we tried their new location which is on the other side of the plaza where Wells Fargo Bank, the quality of food was worst, dry and smaller and salty. We taught new openings, their still getting trained; later they have improved to the same quality as the original location.

But this time, it was so worst and unorganized we have ordered total of 4 hsiao long bao and we have to complained and follow-up so many times and still did not get our food according to time and turn. We have to waited for 40 minutes to get our 1st hsio long bao and the 2nd hsiao long bao have to wait for another 30 minutes while we keep seeing several tables who came later than us get all their 2-3 orders of hsia long bao completely done and are checking out.

Please make note, they have ordered same thing all hsiao long bao as we saw what was being put to their mouth. Do not get fooled by the waitress saying it might be other types like dumpling or shaio mai. We were seating there observing all our surrounding tables because we do not get our food accordingly.

Even one table who was behind us originally ordered 2 have finished and added another extra orders and have received the added order right away and even worst is the other table who was behind us for 1 hours get their 2 orders of hsiao long bao within 15-20 minutes when the couple seated, they have not even finished the 1st half and they get their 2nd while we have kids who need to go to school tomorrow and still seating there until one of my kid fall asleep. I was so disapointed afterall when i saw that table get the 2nd when they are not finished on their first one and was behind us for 1 hours and we have been seating there for almost 1 1/2 hours waiting for the 3rd one to come. I told them to cancel my other 2 as i cannot afford to sit there for another 1 hours just to get the balance 2 order especially my youngest one fall asleep and both kids have school tomorrow, my eldest keep nagging that he is hungry. I was told that it will be another 1 minute and we should be able to get our 3rd order and asked us to wait... if you were on my position will you wait??? this is so ridiculous when we all are happy coming to eat this place even we know its pricey but in turn this is what we get we have to eat 2-3 small hsiao long bao and wait 30 minutes to get to eat another 2-3 hsiao lng bao...

The Details on Din Tai Fung Dumpling House

Place Categories:

  • juicy soup dumplings
  • great chinese food
  • good service
  • best dumpling place
  • yummy chicken soup
  • not as good egg fried rice
  • best pork dumplings
  • very extensive wait
  • excellent vegetables
  • best pork
  • full restaurant
  • not as juicy dumplings
  • flat noodles
  • clean ambience
  • excellent hot soup
  • incredible sauteed green beans
  • overpriced dishes
  • famous dumpling skin
  • best din tai fung
  • enjoy watch
  • awesome crab meat shao long bao
  • enjoyed meal
  • delicious hidden hotspot
  • friendly manner
  • disappointed nothing

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