Din Tai Fung
{{short description|Taiwanese restaurant chain}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Din Tai Fung
| native_name = 鼎泰豐
| native_name_lang = zh-tw
| logo = DinTaiFungLogo.svg
| image = Taiwan 2009 Taipei DinTaiFung Dumpling House at Pacific Sogo ZhongXiao Store FRD 9000.jpg
| image_size =
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Xiaolongbao made to order at the restaurant behind glass pane
| former_name =
| type = Chinese cuisine Nathan yang
| industry = Restaurant
| fate =
| predecessor =
| successor =
| founded = 1958
| founder = Yang Bing-yi
| defunct =
| hq_location_city = Taipei
| hq_location_country = Taiwan
| area_served = Asia, UK, UAE, North America
| key_people =
| products = Xiaolongbao
| owner =
| num_employees =
| num_employees_year =
| parent =
| website = {{URL|https://www.dintaifung.com.tw}}
}}
{{Chinese
| t = 鼎泰豐
| s = 鼎泰丰
| poj = Téng-thài-hong
| tl = Tíng-thài-hong
| p = Dǐng Tài Fēng
| gr = Diing Tay Feng
| h = Dinˋ Tai Fungˊ
| phfs = Tín-thai-fûng
}}
Din Tai Fung is a Taiwanese restaurant chain specializing in Chinese cuisine, particularly famous for its xiaolongbao. Based in Taipei, Taiwan, Din Tai Fung also has branches in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Macau, China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, United States, and Canada.{{Cite web |last=Shapiro |first=Don |date=15 January 2015 |title=Din Tai Fung: Taiwan's Culinary Icon |url=https://topics.amcham.com.tw/2015/01/din-tai-fung-taiwans-culinary-icon/}}{{Cite web |date=2021-02-25 |title=Inside Din Tai Fung, the World's Most Famous Taiwanese Restaurant |url=https://www.themanual.com/food-and-drink/din-tai-fung/ |access-date=2023-08-26 |website=The Manual |language=en}}
History
File:Truffle Soup Dumplings at Din Tai Fung.jpg
File:Din Tai Fung entrance sign - Taipei 101 (台北101).jpg]]
Founder Yang Bing-yi, an immigrant from Shanxi,{{cite news |last1=Yu |first1=Hsiao-han |last2=Lin |first2=Sean |title=Din Tai Fung founder dies at 96 |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/society/202303250016 |access-date=27 March 2023 |agency=Central News Agency |date=25 March 2023}} initially worked ten years at Heng Tai Fung, a cooking oil retailer in Taiwan.{{cite magazine |last=Wang |first=Mei 王梅 |date=2001-01-01 |title=楊秉彝開創「鼎泰豐」傳奇 |trans-title=Yang Bingyi created the "Din Tai Fung" legend |url=https://www.gvm.com.tw/article/6582 |magazine={{ill|Global Views Monthly|zh|遠見雜誌}} |language=zh |accessdate=2023-05-18 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230518105548/https://www.gvm.com.tw/article/6582 |archivedate=2023-05-18}} Yang later wanted to branch out on his own to support his family. With his Hakka wife, Lai Penmei, he founded a cooking oil retailer in 1958. They named it Din Tai Fung by combining the names of Yang's previous employer, "Heng Tai Fung", and their new supplier, "DinMei Oils".{{cite news |author1=Han Cheung |title=Taiwan in Time: The humble beginnings of Din Tai Fung |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2025/03/23/2003833894 |access-date=23 March 2025 |work=Taipei Times |date=23 March 2025}}{{cite news |title=Steaming to Shanghai |url=https://taiwantoday.tw/news.php?post=21822&unit=12,29,33,45 |access-date=12 September 2021 |work=Free China Journal |date=1 December 1997}}{{cite news |last1=Yip |first1=Wai Yee |title=Din Tai Fung founder Yang Bing-yi dies, aged 96 |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/din-tai-fung-founder-dies-aged-96 |access-date=27 March 2023 |work=Straits Times |date=26 March 2023}}
Around 1970, tinned cooking oil became prevalent, and business diminished drastically. Tang Yongchang, the immigrant owner of a Shanghainese restaurant and friend of Yang suggested that in order to survive, Yang should convert half the shop to making and selling xiaolongbao. The xiaolongbao were a common dish in Tang's native Shanghai, but rare in Taiwan. The xiaolongbao eventually grew so popular that Din Tai Fung stopped selling oil altogether and became a full-fledged restaurant in 1972. The original restaurant is on Xinyi Road in Taipei and the shop sign was a calligraphic work of the then Control Yuan president Yu Youren.{{cite news |title=草書招牌「鼎泰豐」 于右任親題墨寶│TVBS新聞網 |url=https://news.tvbs.com.tw/life/15303 |access-date=12 May 2023 |work=TVBS |date=20 April 2012 |language=zh-tw}}
In 1996, the first international location opened in Tokyo, and the first North American store opened in Arcadia, California, in 2000. The California location, rather than franchised, was operated by the founders' son Frank.{{cite news |last1=Jennings |first1=Lisa |title=Brothers named co-CEOs of Din Tai Fung North America |url=https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/leadership/brothers-named-co-ceos-din-tai-fung-north-america |access-date=22 March 2025 |work=Restaurant Business Magazine |date=14 August 2024}} Their first branch in Indonesia opened at the upmarket shopping mall Plaza Senayan in Jakarta on April 24, 2005.{{cite web|url=https://www.dintaifung.co.id/aboutus.html|title=About Us – Din Tai Fung Indonesia|website=dintaifung.co.id|access-date=2022-01-14}}{{primary source inline|date=December 2022}} As of 2022, there were 13 branches spread across the Greater Jakarta area, with three outlet formats (regular Din Tai Fung, Noodle Bar, and Chef's Table) and halal or non-halal selections available.
In 2008, the chain struggled due to the world financial situation.{{Cite news |date=2008-12-24 |title=Din Tai Fung profits plunge 30% - Taipei Times |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2008/12/24/2003431964 |access-date=2025-02-09}}
The Taiwanese government hosted a Din Tai Fung showcase in Paris in 2007 as a tool of cultural diplomacy.{{Cite book |last=Liu |first=Haiming |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/From_Canton_Restaurant_to_Panda_Express/Az1TCgAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%2522Din+Tai+Fung%2522&printsec=frontcover |title=From Canton Restaurant to Panda Express: A History of Chinese Food in the United States |date=2015-09-09 |publisher=Rutgers University Press |isbn=978-0-8135-7477-6 |pages=146-157 |language=en}} In 2000, the chain's first locations opened in mainland China.
The first European branch was opened in London in December 2018.{{Cite news|url=https://london.eater.com/2018/10/4/17936352/din-tai-fung-london-restaurant-opening-covent-garden-taiwan-dumplings-xiaolongbao|title=World-Famous Taiwan Dumpling Chain Din Tai Fung Announces London Opening Date|first1=James|last1=Hansen|first2=Adam|last2=Coghlan|date=7 December 2018|work=Eater London|access-date=2019-05-24}} In January 2019, Din Tai Fung voluntarily closed their Westfield Sydney location after discovering rats, which nearby construction had displaced.{{cite news |last=Zhou |first=Naaman |date=31 January 2019 |title=Vermin invasion: Sydney construction boom sends rats into restaurants |newspaper=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/feb/01/vermin-invasion-sydney-construction-boom-sends-rats-into-restaurants |access-date=17 June 2020}} The city council also required the restaurant to pass health inspections before re-opening.{{cite web|url=https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/food/footage-of-large-rat-at-din-tai-fung-in-westfield-sydney/news-story/01b5a15bda0d6faaa8af307d4bcc224f|title=Footage of large rat at Din Tai Fung in Westfield Sydney|website=news.com.au|date=31 January 2019}}
=COVID-19 pandemic and after=
Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the restaurant industry in the United States, the first North American restaurant closed permanently on June 11, 2020.{{cite news |title=Taiwan's Din Tai Fung closing first US location due to financial pressures |first=Ching-Tse |last=Cheng |newspaper=Taiwan News |date=June 11, 2020 |url= https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3945902 |access-date=June 17, 2020}}
In March 2023, a Din Tai Fung Australia franchise was prosecuted by the Federal Court of Australia for underpaying staff, pressuring employees to sign an Australian workplace agreement, and failing to pay approximately A$175,000 in owed wages.{{Cite web |last=Federal Court of Australia |date=16 March 2023 |title=Fair Work Ombudsman v DTF World Square Pty Ltd (in liq) (No 3) [2023] FCA 201 (15 March 2023) |url=http://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/cth/FCA/2023/201.html?context=1;query=din%20tai%20fung;mask_path=}}{{cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/popular-dumpling-chain-fined-4-million-for-calculated-plan-to-rob-staff/ar-BB1lmRiD|title=Popular dumpling chain fined $4 million for 'calculated' plan to rob staff|website=MSN|date=10 April 2024 |access-date=10 April 2024|author-last1=Ton|author-first1=William}}
As of 2024, the chain has more than 170 locations and is operated by the grandsons of the founders who serve as co CEOs.{{Cite news |title=Learn the story behind the Din Tai Fung legacy of soup dumplings |url=https://www.today.com/video/go-behind-the-din-tai-fung-soup-dumpling-global-empire-227474501741 |access-date=2025-02-09 |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Iyengar |first=Rishi |date=2025-02-11 |title=Soup Dumplings as Soft Power |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2024/12/13/taiwan-din-tai-fung-soft-power/ |access-date=2025-02-09 |language=en-US}} In 2024, the chain opened its first New York location -- its largest at 25,000 square feet with a seating capacity of 450 in the location of the former Mars 2112.{{Cite news |title=Din Tai Fung New York: restaurant review {{!}} Fine Dining Lovers |url=https://www.finedininglovers.com/explore/articles/din-tai-fung-new-york-verdict |access-date=2025-02-09 |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Schneier |first=Matthew |date=2024-08-01 |title=First Taste: Din Tai Fung’s Dumplings Are Worth the Hype |url=https://www.grubstreet.com/article/din-tai-fung-nyc-first-taste-review.html |access-date=2025-02-09 |language=en}} In April 2024, Din Tai Fung was fined $4 million AUD for underpaying Australian workers and left Australia.{{cite news |last1=Huang |first1=Demi |title=What happened to Din Tai Fung? Popular soup dumpling chain disappears from Australia after shocking $4 million fine |url=https://7news.com.au/news/what-happened-to-din-tai-fung-popular-soup-dumpling-chain-disappears-from-australia-after-shocking-4-million-fine-c-17682399 |access-date=16 March 2025 |work=7 News |publisher=Seven Network |date=4 March 2025}}
Din Tai Fung also opened a location in the Downtown Disney of Disneyland in Anaheim.https://la.eater.com/2024/6/27/24186656/din-tai-fung-downtown-disney-anaheim-opening
Din Tai Fung's first Canadian location opened in May 2025 in Vancouver, BC.{{Cite news |title=Din Tai Fung's long-awaited Vancouver restaurant to hire 300 people |url=https://vancouversun.com/life/food/din-tai-fungs-vancouver-restaurant |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250116035759/https://vancouversun.com/life/food/din-tai-fungs-vancouver-restaurant |archive-date=2025-01-16 |access-date=2025-02-09 |work=vancouversun |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Ryan |first=Denise |date=May 4, 2025 |title=Din Tai Fung: A family's food and their humble road to a grand opening in Vancouver |url=https://vancouversun.com/news/din-tai-fung-grand-opening-vancouver |access-date=May 5, 2025 |website=Vancouver Sun}}
A new location is planned to open in Scottsdale, Arizona in 2026.{{Cite news |date=2025-01-06 |title=New Scottsdale ‘Din Tai Fung’ restaurant to debut in 2026 |url=https://www.abc15.com/entertainment/events/new-scottsdale-din-tai-fung-restaurant-delays-its-valley-debut |access-date=2025-02-09 |language=en}}
Reputation
Din Tai Fung is known internationally for its paper-thin wrapped xiaolongbao with 18 folds. In November 2009, the Hong Kong and Macau 2010 edition of the Michelin Guide awarded the restaurant's first Hong Kong branch at Tsim Sha Tsui, Silvercord Branch, a Michelin star.{{cite web|url=http://focustaiwan.tw/news/aeco/201707080011.aspx|title=Taipei major shopping zone sets sights on Cambodia|date=8 July 2017|website=Focus Taiwan News Channel|access-date=15 September 2017}} The Michelin Guide recommended the restaurant's second branch in Hong Kong at Causeway Bay, Yee Wo Branch, in December 2010, as well as Hong Kong's Silvercord Branch in 2013.{{cite web|url=https://shescookin.com/affordable-dining-in-hong-kong-din-tai-fung/|title=Affordable Dining in Hong Kong – Din Tai Fung|website=shescookin|date=19 April 2013 |access-date=15 September 2017}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Din Tai Fung}}
- [//www.dintaifung.com.tw/ Din Tai Fung official website] (Global) {{in lang|zh-tw}}
{{Restaurants in London}}
{{Food chains in Taiwan}}
{{Food chains in Australia}}
{{Food chains in Japan}}
{{Food chains in the Philippines}}
{{Food chains in South Korea}}
{{Food chains in Singapore}}
Category:1958 establishments in Taiwan
Category:Taiwanese restaurants
Category:Fast-food chains of Singapore
Category:Restaurants established in 1958
Category:Chinese restaurants outside China
Category:Restaurant chains in Singapore
Category:Restaurant chains in China
Category:Restaurants in Indonesia
Category:Restaurants in Los Angeles
Category:Restaurants in Orange County, California