Din Tai Fung, the Best Things to Order

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Hope your weekend is full of juicy little dumplings. Xiao long bao, or otherwise.

Sure, the xiao long bao are the what they're famous for, and you can't go wrong with whatever filling you get (personally, I love the Black Truffle). But here are all the other things in addition to the dumpling you MUST order when you finally make it past the 2-hour wait time at Din Tai Fung.

Spicy Wontons | Din Tai Fung

Above all else, order the Spicy Wontons! It doesn't matter which kind of wonton—shrimp, chicken, pork, even vegan!—the dish is all about the sauce. To be honest, you could get by with just Spicy Dumplings and skip the xiao long bao altogether. Blasphemy? Maybe.

Pro-tip: Ask for extra spicy sauce on the side. They won't always do it, but if so, you'll use it as a sauce for everything else you order.

Pro Pro-tip: Ask for a Spicy Sauce to go.

Spicy Cucumber Salad | Din Tai Fung

As far as we're concerned, order one per person.

Also, you can make Spicy Cucumbers at Home with this recipe!

Stir Fried Sticky Rice Cakes | Din Tai Fung

Never had Stir Fried Sticky Rice Cakes at Din Tai Fung before. Taste like a non-spicy Korean Dduk Bok-ki. Didn't even know they were on the menu. The more you know...

BLACK TRUFFLE Xiao Long Bao | Din Tai Fung, South Coast Plaza

NEW FAVORITE, though it does seem a little extravagant to pay MORE than $20 (?) for only five (5) dumplings. Worth it at least once.

Garlic Sauteed Broccoli | Din Tai Fung

Surprisingly, ANY of the green vegetables with garlic are SO GOOD. String Beans with Garlic and Taiwanese Cabbage are a MUST. Broccoli, Kale, and Spinach are all good, too.

Chicken Fried Rice | Din Tai Fung

Order Chicken Fried Rice at the END of the meal because it's so good, you don't want to fill up on starchy carbs before all the other delicious things.

Pro-tip: This is where you add the extra Spicy Sauce you ordered. You DID order that, right?

Fresh Ginger and Black Vinegar | Din Tai Fung

Chili Oil, Soy Sauce, Black Vinegar Condiments | Din Tai Fung

Boba Milk Tea | Din Tai Fung, South Coast Paza

Dumpling Cooks in the Kitchen | Din Tai Fung

Din Tai Fung

We got into the line outside along the driveway, not knowing that we were in line to get into another line, to put our names on a list. The wait was a little more than two (2) hours. The opening hype has died down, but the wait can still be that long, if not longer. If you plan ahead though, you can arrive early enough to put your name down then shop around South Coast Plaza until you receive a text message alerting you that the restaurant is ready to seat you.

Airy, clean interior, with outdoor seating as well. Efficient service (once you actually get to sit down!) Food at any location has never disappointed.