#din-tai-fung

#din-tai-fung

I grew up in Arcadia where the very first U.S. location of Din Tai Fung opened in 2000. Despite this, I've always been a bit of a Din Tai Fung skeptic (it's hard not to be when your hometown arguably has some of the best Chinese food not just in Los Angeles, but in the states - especially at the many mom-and-pops in the SGV). Nevertheless, especially with its huge expansion, I see the appeal of Din Tai Fung now.

Din Tai Fung opened its first New York location at Broadway and West 51st Street in 2024, and it quickly garnered a cult-following for its delicate and flavorful dumplings, spicy noodles and other sought after dishes. It usually takes weeks to get a table at the 450-seat midtown restaurant, though the chain has branches in several other U.S. states, the UK, China, the UAE, other East Asian countries and more.

"Being the CEO, or in charge of any company, can be a pretty lonely path. You're sort of alone at the top, so it's nice to have family you can trust next to you."