Founded in 1958, Din Tai Fung has exploded into a global dumpling juggernaut. Serving up Taiwanese dumplings, the chain has become a household name in many countries, especially thanks to the famous xiao long bao (soup dumplings). This branch can be found on the ground floor of the Dubai Mall's Fashion Avenue, in front of the fountain and lying not far from the base of the famous Burj Khalifa. The interiors here are pared-back with simple wooden furnishings; food is the main event. Towers of bamboo steamers can be glimpsed in the kitchen, along with expert dumpling-makers doing what they do best.
While there's no one best way to order here, we recommend trying as many different dishes as possible, especially if you haven't visited before. To start with, there's a seaweed and glass noodle salad, ideal for hot weather, or kao fu, a traditional Shanghai dish made from wheat gluten. The main event is, however, the dumplings. The xiao long bao are a must, with exactly 18 folds on the top and delicious broth filling within. Try the pork or chicken, or push the boat out a little with the crab roe and pork option instead. For something a little more decadent, there is a version of the pork dumplings featuring truffle, as well as green squash with shrimp for pescetarians.
Elsewhere, you'll find other dumplings, such as shumai and pot stickers, filled with the likes of lamb, sticky rice, fish and other tasty combos. A little heartier are the buns, with a thicker, fluffier coating. The last category of dumplings, wontons, come bathed in delicious sauce rather than in a steamer. These are softer, almost tortellini-esque, and best served with lashings of chilli oil. There are plenty of soup, stir-fry and rice dishes to supplement your order with, but dumplings are undoubtedly the main event.