Taiwanese Restaurant Features ‘Small Miracles’ Of Food
The legacy of Din Tai Fung dates back to Taiwan 1972 when Mr. Bing-Yi Yang transformed his simple cooking oil shop to focus on what was then an increasingly popular food item in the area, soup dumplings.
Revered for his attention to detail, Yang caught the attention of Japanese tourists, which helped launch a worldwide dumpling empire that now stretches across 13 countries. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the restaurant’s expansion to the United States, where it has developed a loyal following including late Pulitzer Prize winner Jonathan Gold, who once described the Xiao Long Bao as “small miracles.”
The meticulously-crafted Kurobuta Pork Xiao Long Bao and the Shrimp & Kurobuta Pork Wontons are two of the most popular menu items.
A show kitchen is venue’s main design feature, showcasing the restaurant’s art of making its 10,000 dumplings each day.
Here is a rundown of the menu items:
• Appetizers and Vegetables – Din Tai Fung features an assortment of appetizers and vegetable dishes that pair perfectly with noodle dishes or dumplings. The Cucumber Salad is light and refreshing with a hint of spice while the Sauteed String Beans with Garlic entice with a crisp and flavorful bite. Coated in a house-made sauce, the tender Sweet & Sour Pork Baby Back Ribs are a flavorful take on a classic Shanghainese dish.
• Dumplings – The famed Xiao Long Bao are made with Kurobuta pork and broth that bursts upon first bite, fragranced with aromas of fresh ginger and green onion. Din Tai Fung also features Truffle and Blue Crab varieties of its Xiao Long Bao. Other popular dumpling offerings include the Jidori Chicken Dumplings filled with Jidori chicken and sweet onions; and the Vegetable & Mushroom Dumplings made with glass noodles, bok choy, dried bean curd and shiitake mushrooms.
• Noodles, Soups and More – Noodle lovers can enjoy an array of options including the umami-packed Shrimp Fried Noodles or a vegetarian-friendly bowl of Noodles with Sesame Sauce. The traditional Braised Beef Noodle Soup is cooked for hours to bring out its mildly spicy and aromatic flavors. A fan favorite is the Jidori Chicken Wontons with Spicy Sauce topped with garlic and green onion.
• Desserts – Din Tai Fung’s signature dessert is its Chocolate Xiao Long Bao, a twin to the soup dumpling but filled with premium chocolate lava. The Red Bean Bun is a classic choice featuring a soft, fluffy bun filled with smooth and sweet red bean paste.
• Cocktails – Din Tai Fung at ARIA features a cocktail program with drinks that combine Taiwanese beverage culture with the creative edge of Las Vegas mixology.There is the boba cocktail, which offers new takes throughout the year. For fall, guests can enjoy the Spiced Boba with dark rum, ginger syrup, half and half, black tea, and two dashes of bitters.
Din Tai Fung at ARIA is located on the casino floor, adjacent to Lift Bar, and is open nightly from 4 p.m. – 11 p.m. Reservations are highly recommended. For more information and to make a reservation prior to arrival, visit Din Tai Fung’s website.
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