Din Tai Fung London. Restaurant Review

The acclaimed Mr Yang has finally brought his award winning restaurant to London. With over 150 around 14 countries, London fans of his famous Xiao Long Baos and dumplings waited until late 2018 to sample his amazing food.

With a full team of chefs and dumpling experts on hand (as below), you know that freshness and quality is on hand (pun intended). The excitement and hype was on hand, the restaurant was packed on a Tuesday afternoon. So how, did it go?

I wasn't sure what to order or what was recommended. Luckily my sister in law had already been and was with us for this feast. So we went about ordering some of our own dumpling faves and what she recommended.

This therefore gave us a lunch of:
​- Signature Xiao Long Bao
- Crispy Prawn and Pork Wantons
- Nai Bai (Veg) with Garlic
- Pork & Veg Wantons in Broth
​- Steamed Pork Buns
- Prawn Dumplings
- Red Bean Xiao Long Bao

With this we also ordered cocktails, one of which never arrived. More on that later.

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The restaurant itself, is on the site of the Old Henry's bar in Convent Garden. From the outside, you can see a big difference; once in, you notice the layout hasn't changed much and with this the dining area almost seems more like a fast food joint, rather than a fine dining restaurant.

We were seated fairly quickly, but after this attentive service, it felt like we were forgotten. Menus handed, the team came over a few times to get our order. After choosing and ticking (dim sum style), the poor service started.

In total we ordered three drinks; two cocktails and one coke. Only one drink arrived correctly. The cocktail i had was not the one I ordered and the coke only came at the third time of asking; when we were having our desserts. Not good.

All the food was tasty and nice, but for over £30 a head and with poor services, doesn't make me want to rush back. I feel that going to a place in China Town would provide my belly and I with as much satisfaction.

With an improved service (I hope) and experience on what to order, I definitely feel my next visit will be better. The options at times do both seem endless and repetitive but the quality is there for all to see.

GOOD TIMES: Xiao long Baos, make sure to follow the eating rules

WATCH OUT: The service was very poor, be prepared to wait

OMG: Seeing the team on hand was amazing. dedication and precision