Comments on Tiny Urban Kitchen: Din Tai Fung (Arcadia, California)

You might be referring to the one with konjac. It...

2011-06-15T15:45:28.772-05:00

You might be referring to the one with konjac. It was really popular when it first opened, and is near Din Tai Fong, although in a different plaza. It's right next door (or maybe 2 doors down, can't remember) from Sin Bala.

I think it's the shopping center at Baldwin and Duarte (with the Chinese supermarket - NOT 99 - I think perhaps Arcadia Supermarket). Sorry if I'm a little vague, I don't live in the area anymore, so my memory is a little fuzzy. But I tend to go there whenever I visit Cali.

I agree! It's not bad, just not worth the pric...

2011-06-15T15:40:25.295-05:00

I agree! It's not bad, just not worth the price and hype in my opinion. At least the one in Arcadia, I haven't been to the other locations (I used to live in Arcadia).

Just ran across your DTF entry and had to comment!...

2010-04-11T10:54:53.710-05:00

Just ran across your DTF entry and had to comment! You sound like us (eating there often) except we live in Taipei! We tend to go once a week or so and been to one in Japan and Singapore. LOL. I have not been to the Arcadia one and I'm originally from Los Angeles! It's interesting to read your take on it as many people say the one here is much better than LA. I am going to try it when I come visit my folks next month. It's hard to compete with here though! And they have new menu items here....Chicken xiao long bao (we tried them in Japan and were pretty good) and the best is black truffle and pork XLB!!!! $30 for 10 dumplings, but they are addicting! I took lots of photos of them today and will be writing a couple articles about the new stuff here.

BTW, I hear there's a Taiwenese shaved ice place near the DTF in Arcadia. Did you happen to try it? Our beloved Ice Monster closed here so I am going through withdrawals...need to hit a night market soon!

Love your blog!

Ivan - thanks for writing back! Yeah, last time w...

2010-03-10T16:34:33.617-05:00

Ivan - thanks for writing back! Yeah, last time was the first time I tried the crab dumpling, and I haven't tried it anywhere else, so I can't really compare. Like I said, my favorites are the vegetable-pork dumpling. I'll have to check out your recommendation the next time I'm in LA though!

Hi Jen, I'm actually in LA and only came back...

2010-03-10T15:22:18.643-05:00

Hi Jen,

I'm actually in LA and only came back to this post to see if anyone had responded (I actually did not expect any responses). Anyhow, I think I prefer J&J in San Gabriel over Din Tai Fung for their XLB with crab meat. You're right in that the skin is not as good, but the filling is my favorite! Unfortunately, though, coming from NY, I sorely miss all the yummy XLB that is always readily available...

Ivan - I personally love the dumplings at Din Tai ...

2010-02-23T14:43:05.328-05:00

Ivan - I personally love the dumplings at Din Tai Fung because of their chewy skin and also the vegetable to meat ratio (I love veggies and they use A LOT!). I'd love to hear your recommendations on the other good places in LA though (or maybe you are in Taiwan?) In any event, if there are better XLB places, please share!!!

Could I ask what's so great about Din Tai Fung...

2010-02-23T14:35:11.715-05:00

Could I ask what's so great about Din Tai Fung? I live 5 minutes away from there and never found it to be as good as numerous other restaurants that offer Xiao Lung Bao. In my opinion, not only is it super expensive compared to other places, but the flavor is not nearly as good!

Hey I have fond memories of Din Tai Fung in Taipei...

2010-01-19T00:17:54.323-05:00

Hey I have fond memories of Din Tai Fung in Taipei as well after living there for about 3 months. Our favourite place. And I too was very excited when they opened the Sydney branch a couple of years ago. It is very popular. The dumplings are excellent though not as perfect as the ones in Taipei. And the range on offer in Sydney is much smaller than the Taipei restaurant. Still, it is way better than nothing eh?! So nice to see we have the same food quest on opposite sides of the world!

Joy - that's a funny observation! I never not...

2010-01-12T10:17:56.400-05:00

Joy - that's a funny observation! I never noticed that!

Wendycakes - that's good news for me, as I live in Boston and NYC is just a bus ride away!

Azusa - that's awesome that they have the taro dumplings sometimes! I'll have to let my brother-in-law know!

"Jaia" - thanks for signing with your Boston name! Otherwise I may not have recognized your other name! Of course I remember you, and thanks for the XLB links!

This is a great place a weekend spot for me quite...

2010-01-11T12:38:47.868-05:00

This is a great place a weekend spot for me quite often. Get there early amd ask for the "special pork dumplingdoptos" before they run out each day. GREG

Incredible, thanks for sharing. We have a place l...

2010-01-11T07:24:41.277-05:00

Incredible, thanks for sharing. We have a place like that here. My mouth is watering.

Harika olmuş bunlar! Turkish food...

2010-01-11T07:07:58.092-05:00

Harika olmuş bunlar!
Turkish food...

Hi Jen, I don't know if you remember me but I ...

2010-01-07T11:28:32.917-05:00

Hi Jen,
I don't know if you remember me but I recently found your blog and LOVE it!!! You make me want to cook lovely, delicious yummies...a sentiment that passes quickly, though...then I just want to run to Arcadia for some XLB :)

If you're open to trying something new when you're out here, there's a longstanding argument on the chowhound boards about the best XLB in LA...J&J and Mei Long Village in San Gabriel often trump DTF, though I prefer the latter bc of the skins. But the other 2 IMHO have some better dishes than DTF's non-XLB dishes (and their XLB are pretty good, too). Here's one of the many links to the topic:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/671403

Happy new year!

I love Din Tai Fung! My mom was visiting and we to...

2010-01-07T11:27:35.037-05:00

I love Din Tai Fung! My mom was visiting and we took her there for Christmas dinner. Funny, we ordered the taro dessert dumplings, so maybe they only have those on certain days? Also, the soup dumplings are only served on weekends and they run out fast...!

if u think ding tai fung is good, the xiao lung ba...

2010-01-06T20:00:53.644-05:00

if u think ding tai fung is good, the xiao lung bao at shanghai cafe in NY will blow ur mind and reduce ding tai fung to second class material. no joke.

i love ding tai fung and all but shanghai cafe is much much better. :)

Ah, these are my favoritest food in the world! I c...

2010-01-06T17:36:29.361-05:00

Ah, these are my favoritest food in the world! I could eat these everyday for every meal if I had to. :)

I've only been to the one in Taipei, but I alw...

2010-01-06T16:53:53.841-05:00

I've only been to the one in Taipei, but I always thought it was interesting that only men were making the dumplings, and it looks like in your picture that is true in Arcadia as well. I wonder why that is....