Kerancia: Din Tai Fung, Sydney

Level 3, World Square, 644 George Street, Sydney.

Din Tai Fung is an award winning restaurant, originally from Taiwan. Its specialty - Xiao Long Bao which are small steam dumplings filled with meat filling and hot soup. Hand made with precision, Din Tai Fung claims that each Xiao Long Bao has a perfect 18 exquisite folds. It’s become so popular, that Din Tai Fung has restaurants in Australia, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, USA, and

Thailand

The setting and decor is pleasant, sort of like an up market yum cha restaurant and that comes with the price tag too! Service is quick and efficient. The restaurant is always busy - so get in early otherwise be prepared to share a table or wait.

Pork Dumplings (Xiao Long Bao) were yummy, however skill is needed to eat one with grace and poise. Put one dumpling in your spoon and with your chopstick, poke a small hole in the dumpling to let the soup flow out onto the spoon. Drink the soup, then eat the dumpling - this way you avoid the embarrassment of squirting it all on yourself or worst onto your eating buddy!

Were there 18 folds in the Xiao Long Bao? I don't think anyone notices. I wasn't counting, and it didn't really matter to me. You can find good Xiao Long Baos without the hefty price tag, at other places like Taste of Shanghai which is downstairs in World Square.

Pros: Loved the Crumbed Chicken Fillet with Fried Rice! The Chicken fillet was so crisp and scrumptious, and the fried rice full of egg and flavour - this was one of the best fried rice and crumbed chicken I've had. It gave me that homely comfort feeling :)

Cons: Good food but be prepared for the price tag especially with the dumplings. This meal cost AUD$56 for two people at lunch and I wasn't completely full. It gets super busy, so get in early otherwise be prepared to wait or share a table. All persons to the table have to be there; otherwise they won't let you in.

Just want dumplings without the restaurant experience? Perhaps try their new Dumplings Bar opened at Level 5, Westfield Sydney, Pitt Street.