Din Tai Fung way overrated. Dragon Mark blows it outta the water....
Can someone please explain to me why Din Tai Fung is so popular? I went there recently for the first time and the dumplings (xiao lung bao) weren't even that great. Plus, the long wait and ultra high prices didn't help.
I'm sticking to Dragon Mark. I highly recommend to anyone who hasn't tried it:
301 W Valley Blvd Ste 110
San Gabriel, CA 91776
The dumplings are bursting with broth/juices and the meat tender. The decor is very plain but the food and the prices are just right. :)
By Sara
on Mar 22, 2006 04:54 PM
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i totally agree with you. the original location in taipei ain't nothing to write home about either.
much better places with much tastier and less expensive dumplings are sprinkled throughout the SGV.
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Please do post these "much better" dumpling places. We like "delicate" casings, and everywhere that we have tried is too doughy for us...we like Din Tai Fung and have always had wonderful food and service there.
That said, we are always willing to try yet another place that you might recommend, knowing that we are in search of these delicate wonders! Thanks!
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If you want delicate skin, try Dumpling 10053 or even 101 Noodle Express (get the shrimp/pumpking dumplings)
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lol for me it's all about flavor to grease ratio. DTF does have the most delicate skins, but i think it comes at the expense of deep flavor. mei long strikes a healthy balance at least for me.
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Yes. Please list the places that are supposedly better than DTF so we can test these claims. As far as DTF being overrated, to say it's the McD's of dumplings is ridiculous. There may be better dumpling places in LA (though I have yet to find one), but DTF is consistently excellent.
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- mei long village (xlb)
- j&j (xlb)
- dumplings 10053 (dumplings)
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Hip hip hooray! I finally don't feel like the lone dissenter on DTF.
Finally, people on this board have come to the realization that DTF is to dumplings what McDonald's is to burgers.
Mass produced, assembly-line type dumplings. Nothing special.
Much much better places all throughout SGV -- too many to name.
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ID - you lose all credibility in my book by overstating your case like that. DTF may not be to your personal taste, but it's not McDonald's level. Nor are the XLB at other places "much better" by some reasonably objective standard.
And ironic given that you're willing to recommend the McDonald's of banh mi places, Mr. Baguette.
I'll try Dragon Mark, but so far, I like DTF better than any other XLB place that's been recommended as an alternative, in particular, Mei Long Village (by a somewhat close margin) and Giang Nan (by a large margin). But, as I've said before, it's all personal taste - I can see why some people wouldn't like DTF, given that its charms are more refined.
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I'm in your corner. I don't get it. It seems very trendy to diss DTF on this board these days. The DTF dumpling is a different animal than the MLV dumpling. I like them both, but they're different.
I haven't tried Dragon Mark yet but I'll give it a solid chance.
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Thanks! However - I think that the MLV dumplings are closer to DTF's than any other place I've tried.
I'd also like to add that the last time I was at MLV - they got the entire $70+ meal (including XLB) out in less than 10 minutes. That's what I'd call a McDonald's-like efficiency. I don't care. I don't harbor romantic notions about the restaurant industry - its purpose is the mass production of food.
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Realize something, I think we are talking about different things.
When most people on the board mention "dumplings at DTF" they are actually talking about xiao long boa.
Conversely, when people talk about "dumplings at [insert other restaurant]" it's usually really is about dumplings and not xlb.
The two are different.
That said, the xlb at DTF are not very good.
I know we disagree on this, but then I guess that's why there are more than just ONE place to get xlb or dumplings or whatever.
To each his/her own. Cheers.
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If there are "too many places to name" that have better dumplings, how about listing five? I'd be delighted to find a place that's better.
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I certainly agree with you! We also think MLV is a pretty close second, but we still like DTF the best! We recently tried Giang Nan; it was okay, but I don't think we would seek it out for a return visit.
We will try Dragon Mark next, and no matter how good it is, we will still return to Din Tai Fung again and again.
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I disagree the one in Taipei is awesome! Especially the chicken soup and the XLB!
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I don't think Din Tai Fung is overrated at all; sure, the wait can be long and prices may be a bit over those at other comparable restaurants which serve dumplings, but Din Tai Fung certainly has made a name for itself, in food and service. Every restaurant carries its own unique personality and brings something to the table and the atmosphere that other restaurants don't offer. Whether its the more traditional xiao long bao or the bit modern tofu/veggie dumplings, or perhaps the fish dumplings and steaming hot organic chicken soup, Din Tai Fung certainly has earned its reputation among foodies. And not just for their food, but their service, too. They're very accomodating - if you ask, they'll steam vegetables instead of pan-frying them, or won't give you the noodles to your soup (and reduce the price) if you don't want it. And, if you're a regular, the owner never hesitates to stop and say hi. Every time you pick up food for take out, they'll read over the list you ordered and make sure everything's correct, pointing to each boxed container, too. I'd say Din Tai Fung is a darn good place for dumplings.
chica
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I guess I'm not the only one who thinks Ting Dai Fong is mediocre. Never knew what all the fuss was about. Sorta like the Apple Pan of dumplings.
Try Dumpling 10053 in El Monte the next time you're out there. Beats TDF right outta the water on most counts: broth, texture, flavor, freshness, meat/wrapping ratio. Get the pork/crab combo and the shrimp with leeks. Definitely will not be disappointed. Their fried pork chop and spare rib w/ rice powder are not bad too.
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Dumpling 10053.. is that the one on Valley..cross street is near Baldwin or Santa Anita? If so, they have iconic dumplings. Feelings of nostalgia creeps up everytime I have those, reminds me of my hometown. Pork Chop with Vegetable Rice is 2 thumbs up!
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i've actually become more of a fan of mei long village (right next door to dragon mark) - a little less greasy overall, but not lacking in flavor like DTF. too bad they don't have the funky pickled seaweed and stuff.
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I'm still a fan of DTF dumplings (esp the crab ones)...MLV is still lacking in the same exquisite taste that DTF offers...besides the other food on DTF's menu beats MLV (which is too greasy for my liking)...DTF is great for the health-conscious and yet the food doesn't compromise in taste...
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Do you know if I would need to make reservations at Dragon Mark for a party of 10 on a Tuesday night? I don't speak Chinese & think it might just be better to go in person. Any advice?
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I second the notion that DTF is overrated. It's not "bad" dumplings, by all means. I'm sure it surpasses alot of the other places in decor, service, and cleaniless. But let's be honest, I have been eating dumplins since I was toddler, their dumplins aren't as moist or as flavorful as Mei Long, Dumpling House, or the other places on VAlley/Baldwin(not quite sure of the name). There are a handful of places that serve better, more succulent dumplings. DTF is a NAME. It may be a healthier version of a dumpling, but healthy dumplings aren't good dumplings. We want the meat juices to flow from the dumplings and not a pretty, delicate looking dumpling that lacks the bursting of liquids. To be fair, I think we should put that if one wants a lighter, healthier version of dumplings, xiao long baow.. or what not, then go to DTF. If the preference is rich and succulent dumplings, then go to the other places (too many to name).
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