Disney diehards frequently have one foot firmly prior to now, lamenting what was relatively than what is. That’s true in lots of regards, however a method it’s now not is at the meals entrance. (Ok, except for for the Yuletide Log at Plaza Inn and Fried Inexperienced Tomato Sandwich at Hungry Endure and all of the opening menu at Flo’s V8 Cafe and and and…)
For essentially the most section, eating at Disneyland helps to keep transferring ahead. That was once true final yr, when the parks noticed the hole of the super Tiana’s Palace Eating place and superlative San Fransokyo Sq.. Either one of the ones eating place reimaginings, coupled with menu refreshes in other places, increased the culinary scene final yr.
The tale of 2024 as far as been eating outdoor Disneyland getting higher. Pixar Position Resort and the Villas at Disneyland Resort each debuted new eating places with standouts. (A few of the ones technically arrived overdue final yr, however we didn’t get to them till 2024, so I’m counting ’em!) Extra considerably, the overhaul of Downtown Disney is in the end beginning to undergo fruit, with a number of brand-new or reimagined eating places that now not simplest are probably the greatest in all of Disneyland Lodge, however can dangle their very own in opposition to actual global highlights in Southern California…
Nowadays we’re speaking about Din Tai Fung (DTF), a series well-known for its wide selection of Taiwanese meals, together with noodles, wontons, dumplings and buns, and their strong point, Xiao Lengthy Bao. Based in Taipei, Taiwan in 1958, Din Tai Fung was once named one of the most peak ten gourmand eating places on the earth by means of the New York Instances in 1993.
In 1996, the primary world location opened in Tokyo; the primary North American retailer opened in Arcadia, California in 2000. Din Tai Fung has exploded in reputation since, opening over 170 places all over america, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, Europe, and Thailand.
With a menu boasting excess of simply Xiao Lengthy Bao, the emblem has gained many awards—together with the coveted Michelin celebrity at its Hong Kong department on 5 separate events—and has turn out to be an the world over cherished model, providing a style of Taiwan to the sector. Din Tai Fung now has over a half-dozen places in Southern California, with much more at the manner.
That style now arrives at Disneyland in a brand spanking new location constructed from the bottom up, at the side of sky-high hype. So, does Din Tai Fung reside as much as that and the popularity of the eating place’s different branches in Southern California? Let’s have a look…
Downtown Disney’s Din Tai Fung is positioned within the space in the past occupied by means of the AMC Theater and Earl of Sandwich (first location…now not the second one, 3rd, or fourth). On the other hand, in contrast to the sport of musical chairs performed with different tenants in Downtown Disney, that complicated was once demolished and this can be a brand-new construction. As is most definitely glaring.
Regardless of the masses of places, that is if truth be told Din Tai Fung’s first stand-alone eating place in america. The others are all in upscale department stores and that kind of factor. Designed by means of the acclaimed Rockwell Team, the increased design thought of the Anaheim Din Tai Fung serves to pay homage to the emblem’s cultural origins.
The construction itself is a modern tackle a standard Chinese language pavilion rooftop. It’s shocking by itself, albeit a bit of at odds with the brand new mid-century fashionable unifying taste of this aspect of Downtown Disney. On the other hand, it’s all slightly of a hodgepodge, with a mixture of Arts & Crafts from the unique incarnation of the district (and Grand Californian) plus fresh types.
Inside of Din Tai Fung, there’s a suspended, beaded set up over the round central bar greets visitors upon getting into the eating place, with conventional Chinese language pendants softly illuminating the gap. Two primary eating rooms flank each side of the central bar space, with breaks up the gap.
Past that, there are open and ethereal, floor-to-ceiling home windows surrounding all of the 7,500 sq. toes. eating place. It’s relatively huge and loud, with a cavernous design that doesn’t truly subdivide the gap a lot. That’s lovely standard of Downtown Disney or “mall eating places” all over Southern California, even though, and rarely distinctive to DTF.
Let’s dig into the meals, with what follows necessarily being much less of a evaluation and extra our perfect order at Din Tai Fung.
We’ve been going to the opposite SoCal DTF places for years, and it’s most definitely the ‘actual global’ eating place we’ve eaten second-most (after In-N-Out Burger) with our buddy Man. However it have been a couple of yr since Sarah and I final did Din Tai Fung (our ‘house’ retailer is in South Coast Plaza, which I completely hate), so it’s now not like the 2 people are regulars or the rest.
You’ve gotten to begin with Din Tai Fung’s signature Xiao Lengthy Bao. That is what put DTF at the map, and you can not dine right here with out ordering those dumplings. It’s the legislation.
Each and every of Xiao Lengthy Bao is thoroughly weighed and folded by means of hand to reach DTF’s signature Golden Ratio of 18 folds and full of top-quality Kurobuta red meat marinated in a mix of carefully-selected seasonings. Paired with the piquant aromas of unpolluted ginger and inexperienced onion, each and every chunk is the very best chunk.
Don’t overthink this, simply order the red meat model of the Xiao Lengthy Bao. I’m for my part now not positive they fairly reside as much as the hype, however they’re undeniably very good.
The style, texture, and full enjoy of consuming those little dumplings is improbable and value having your self. So in case you’re at the fence for no matter reason why, simply position an order. I’d most definitely get started with one order for each and every two folks for your birthday party–you’ll be able to all the time upload extra.
Subsequent up is the Hen & Mushroom Steamed Buns, which come two to an order.
Disneyland has been doing extra bao at meals cubicles for fairs and the like, however none are on par with this from a high quality point of view (despite the fact that I did love the flavour of that cheeseburger bun for Meals & Wine).
The variations at Din Tai Fung are completely pillowy and full of filling, with is likewise improbable. Easy, however tasty and likely to be a win with those that could be at the much less adventurous aspect (I most often choose the red meat the entirety at DTF, however the rooster and mushroom listed here are peak tier.)
The Noodles with Diced Pork & Szechuan Peppers is any other DTF must-order menu merchandise. They’re made with Din Tai Fung’s house-made skinny egg noodles crowned with a highly spiced and herbaceous mix of diced pork shank, tomato, beancurd, complete edamame, sliced cucumber, recent cilantro, and Szechuan peppers.
Those have slightly of a kick, so that they’re most definitely now not the best choice for unadventurous eaters. They’re nonetheless scrumptious–there’s so much occurring right here, and it’s like a symphony of flavors.
Extra approachable is the Noodles with Minced Kurobuta Beef. They’re additionally made with Din Tai Fung’s house-made skinny egg noodles crowned with a savory mix of minced Kurobuta red meat sauteed with diced tomatoes, beancurd, chopped inexperienced onion, complete edamame, and sliced cucumber.
Principally, that is the choice for individuals who need a milder dish. The entire noodles are similarly very good, and we extremely suggest ordering one thing from this phase of the menu. It’s now not tremendous shareable (therefore two orders), however they’re improbable–and filling. That final section is essential as a result of prices can upload up briefly at DTF!
Talking of filler pieces, there’s the Fried Rice. The fried rice choices are rooster, shrimp, shredded kurobuta red meat, fried red meat chop, or vegetable & mushroom. I might for my part select the red meat chop (it’s a literal topping as opposed to the entirety else minced within), however this was once Sarah’s select.
In step with Din Tai Fung, that is their wholesome twist on conventional fried rice that contains Taiwanese cabbage, shimeji mushroom, wooden ear mushroom, and corn. Stir-frying over excessive warmth brings out the recent flavors and textures. The fried rice is value ordering, particularly to separate among a bigger birthday party.
Saving the most productive for final (of the entrees) is the Shrimp & Kurobuta Beef Highly spiced Wontons. Stuffed with freshly-peeled shrimp and top rate Kurobuta red meat, and served with DTF’s signature residence highly spiced sauce and crowned with garlic and inexperienced onion, those home made wontons are the sleeper hit of the menu.
The wontons are the favourite merchandise at Din Tai Fung of all 3 people; the wontons are higher than the famed Xiao Lengthy Bao. In equity, it most definitely is helping that the wontons don’t have just about the hype round them, so expectancies are extra manageable. Nonetheless, I’ve had a large number of wontons in Southern California and Asia, and those are some of the best.
Those wontons are so pleasing–full of flavorful filling (I like the shrimp and red meat), simply the correct quantity of spice, silky and light-weight–however hearty and a pleasant little bit of texture from the home highly spiced sauce. You completely wish to order a spherical of those (don’t mess with the wonton soup–get one of the most sorts with red meat).
Because the grand finale, order the Chocolate & Mochi Xiao Lengthy Bao for dessert. “A style of happiness in each and every chunk” in line with Din Tai Fung…and Sarah. Those unhealthy boys characteristic decadent, top rate chocolate truffle enveloped in a skinny layer of mochi—wrapped with painstaking consideration into DTF’s signature 18 folds. A burst of chocolate lava in each and every chunk.
There’s a reason why we’re repeat guests to Din Tai Fung, and if I’m being truthful, it’s the Chocolate & Mochi Xiao Lengthy Bao. Sarah craved those all over her being pregnant, and was once extra excited for those than anything. I don’t love them fairly that a lot–for me, the spotlight at DTF is the wontons–however I do love them.
Combining the feel and tastiness of DTF’s signature Xiao Lengthy Bao with a chocolate lava ‘cake’ is simply an enormous win. You could be vulnerable to proportion them since they aren’t affordable, however withstand that temptation.
Something I do wish to deal with earlier than concluding the evaluation is value. It must most definitely cross with out pronouncing, however eating places on-site at Disneyland price top rate pricing. That is doubly true of highly regarded actual global places that experience storied historical past and can be vacation spot eating for vacationers and guests. I’ve frequently joked that my dream is an on-site In-N-Out Burger, however that the dream would die when I noticed the menu costs.
With that mentioned, we have been shocked by means of simply how pricey Din Tai Fung is at Disneyland. There’s a couple of 20% surcharge over the opposite Southern California retail outlets, which might be considerably dearer than their opposite numbers in Asia. You could suppose that this shouldn’t be unexpected, on account of the site–hire is most definitely truly excessive at Disneyland. However it’s now not like the opposite DTFs are in run-down strip department stores–they’re all in ritzy retail the place hire could also be truly excessive!
Anyway, only a phrase of caution, as we were given a gentle case of decal surprise when perusing the Din Tai Fung Anaheim menu. It’s nonetheless value doing, however it was once dearer than we anticipated it to be. Possibly they’ll be offering an Annual Move cut price ultimately…or perhaps now not, as I’m guessing that, like the opposite places, it’ll be eternally packed. Simply have in mind: there’s a reason why for that!
In the long run, it’s protected to mention that Din Tai Fung is without doubt one of the best possible eating places at Disneyland Lodge. It’s going to simply make our Record of the 24 Highest Eating places at Disneyland Lodge, and arguably may make a an identical checklist of Orange County (however most definitely now not Los Angeles) eating places. It doesn’t slightly make the lower, both–DTF is close to the highest of the DLR eating checklist.
None of this must truly come as a marvel, as Din Tai Fung is a recognized amount that’s been a spotlight of the Southern California culinary scene for the final 20 years. The actual query is whether or not Din Tai Fung is the number one eating place at Disneyland Lodge?
I wouldn’t take factor with somebody awarding it the highest spot, however for me, it’s not. Outdoor the parks, I’d nonetheless relatively dine at Napa Rose or, in truth, even GCH Craftsman Bar & Grill. Inside the parks, I’d wish to do Carthay Circle Eating place and Lamplight Living room. This isn’t to mention that any of those spots are objectively higher than Din Tai Fung, however for me, that’s now not essentially what it’s about. The ones are Disney eating places with an accompanying enjoy that I will simplest get at Disney.
As nice because it could be, Din Tai Fung is an actual global eating place with any other location that’s nearer to us than its Anaheim department. This additionally opens it as much as festival from less expensive or (debatably) higher dim sum eating places round Los Angeles and Orange County–spaces that haven’t any scarcity of such spots. To make certain, DTF at DLR can nonetheless dangle its personal in opposition to the ones, however it’s now not the simple favourite.
After all, that is my point of view as an area and simplest applies to different Californians or the ones touring to Disneyland and prepared to mission off-site. In case you’re an out-of-state vacationer (the presumptive demographic of this weblog!) who desires to stick within the Disney bubble, Din Tai Fung must be extremely excessive for your checklist of puts to discuss with.
Certain, it’s pricey…however so is actually each and every eating place at Disneyland. That’s the on-site top rate pricing in motion. It’s additionally persistently very good, and in contrast to anything at Disneyland Lodge. We’d extremely suggest eating at Din Tai Fung, as irrespective of all else, it’s simply the number one eating place in Downtown Disney and is a brilliant dinner choice for your non-parks day or date evening.
Making plans a Southern California holiday? For park admission offers, learn Pointers for Saving Cash on Disneyland Tickets. Find out about on-site and off-site motels in our Anaheim Resort Evaluations & Scores. For the place to devour, take a look at our Disneyland Eating place Evaluations. For distinctive concepts of items that’ll reinforce your go back and forth, take a look at What to Pack for Disney. For complete recommendation, seek the advice of our Disneyland Holiday Making plans Information. In any case, for guides past Disney, take a look at our Southern California Itineraries for day journeys to Los Angeles, Laguna Seashore, and plenty of different SoCal towns!
Your Ideas
Have you ever dined at Din Tai Fung? How do you suppose it compares to different eating places at Disneyland Lodge? Most sensible 10? Most sensible 5? Number one? Will DTF be getting into your eating rotation at Downtown Disney? Do you settle or disagree with our review of the meals high quality, ambitiousness, price for cash, and many others? Any questions? Listening to your comments–even whilst you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please proportion your ideas under within the feedback!
