Ding Tai Fung Shanghai Dim Sum

[M.Pallister]

If you are ever out in the Markham area check out Ding Tai Fung Shanghai Dim Sum. Very consistent, always flavorful, and never disappointing.

Last visit we had:

xiaolongbao (hands down the best in the city)
Asian chive dumplings
beef tendon, chili, garlic (served cold)
shanghai style noodles, spicy peanut soup

Ding Tai Fung Shanghai Dim Sum
3235 Highway 7 E, Markham,
ON L3R0J5
[phone]‎

[haggisdragon]

A while back we did a mini xiao long bao tasting, comparing Ding Tai Fung to Northern Dumpling kitchen. Both were good, but the winner was Ding Tai Fung.

[silent.bob]

What time does the restaurant open for dim sum on Sunday morning, and is there typically a line to get in (i.e., showing up earlier than opening is advisable)?

[MeXx]

11AM I guess? It's a large space they have, plus most people have church on Sundays. No line to get in like Cora's, until it gets busy.

[abigllama]

I can't speak for opening but we've usually shown up around noon. On Sunday there's always been a wait. Check in with a hostess and they'll give you a number and call you when your table's ready. There's a small waiting area by the door but even with groups spilling out onto the sidewalk I've never waited more than 10 or 15 minutes for a table.

[silent.bob]

We're going to a Blue Jays game at 1:00, so the difference between opening at 10:00, 10:30, 11:00, or later is actually pretty important. Unfortunately, I couldn't get a straight answer after 10 minutes with Google and the restaurant lacks a website.

[abigllama]

After about 15 seconds on Google to get the number about 30 more calling them I have found out that they open at 10:30 on Sunday. :)

[silent.bob]

I'm in the U.S. and wanted to avoid having to make the long-distance call so your efforts are greatly appreciated!

[abigllama]

No problem! Have an excellent trip and please report back on your dum sum experience!

[MeXx]

It'd be about 30 - 40 minutes to get from there to DT Toronto for the Jays game, highway.

[MeXx]

They've been around for a long time, probably 10+ years. I remember when I first went with my mom they had just opened and they literally had to close early in the afternoon because they sold out of xiao long bao. We didn't mind waiting and spent 2+ hours there trying out the foods. Definitely did not disappoint. Dining room was packed for the dinner crowd so lucky we went early.

[abigllama]

This is my go-to dumpling spot in the GTA. It's my biggest regret for selling my car when I moved downtown but we get there almost everytime we have a rental! The best green onion pakcake I've ever had. The sticky rice dumplings are like the dumpling food equivilent of sex. :)

[lister]

Important to note that this place has no relation to the Ding Tai Fung restaurants in Taiwan. The Taiwanese locations are superior. The Markham one is a good meal but not quite up to snuff especially the dumplings.

[morefoodplz]

The soup dumplings did not disappoint, but all the non-soup dumplings tasted alike to me. Perhaps I should have eaten some of the non dim sum items as I saw many people doing, but I don't normally do that at regular (presumably HK-style) dim sum places.

Nice atmosphere and good service, though, so it's worth a try.

[Pincus]

Thanks for the post, that looks REALLY good. Might go next weekend.