DIN TAI FUNG

🥢🥟After weeks of trying to secure a reservation at the newest Din Tai Fung in Scottsdale, we decided to take our chances on just walking in. I can confirm that the 2 hour wait is WORTH IT! Not only was the atmosphere wonderful, but the staff is attentive and has impeccable service.

•🥒Cucumber Salad: 10/10

This is a great appetizer choice to kick off your DTF experience. The cucumbers were crispy and their sauce was very flavorful, but still subtle enough that you could enjoy the refreshing cucumber taste.

•🍋🍯Honey Lemonade: 1,000/10

When you go out to eat, the last thing you’d expect to be the highlight of your night is a N/A drink… but this lemonade beats those expectations! It was the perfect balance of sweet and sour. We loved it so much we ordered 3 of them!

•🐖Sweet & Sour Pork Baby Back Ribs: 7/10

This appetizer was delicious, the pork was very tender and juicy…however in my opinion they were a little too sweet.

• 🌶️Hot & Sour Soup: 8/10

The hot & sour soup at DFT is a great choice! It was very flavorful and filling. Beware of the large portion size, in hindsight we probably could have just shared one. But we had leftovers, so we weren’t complaining!

•🥟Kurobuta Pork Xiao Long Bao 6/10

DFT is famous for their soup dumplings, after all they made the dish very popular. This was our most anticipated dish… but I’m sad to say they were a let down. In my opinion they were lacking flavor and broth, and I would equate them to the Trader Joe’s soup dumplings. I felt that the dumpling dough was too thick. I may be a harsh critic because I had the best soup dumplings of my life when I was visiting NYC this past winter, but I’m sad to say they didn’t live up to the hype.

•🍚Fried Rice With Chicken: 10/10

As far as the food, this dish was my favorite. I have had fried rice many times, but this was by far the best one yet! It was salted perfectly and was incredibly buttery, but not greasy at all. Who knew such a simple dish would be the star of the show!

•🍤🥟Shrimp & Kurobuta Pork Wontons: 9/10

I was pleasantly surprised by this dish. The sauce was incredible and the filling was very flavorful. We loved the sauce so much that we ended up putting it on the fried rice! Unlike the Xiao long bao, the dumpling dough was nice and thin. I definitely recommend trying this dish out.

•🍜Noodles With Diced Beef & Szechuan Peppers: 5/10

This dish was my least favorite that we had while at DTF. While it was visually gorgeous, is did not translate to the tastebuds. I would describe it as ground beef on top of noodles that severely lacked flavor. The dish was saved by pouring some of the sauce from the wontons on top. I would not get this dish again next time I go.

•🍫Chocolate & Mochi Xiao Long Bao: 7/10

I’ve seen so many food reviews raving about this dessert, so I was very excited to try it. Similar to the soup dumplings, I thought the dough was far too thick. The flavor of the chocolate inside was great, but it felt overshadowed by the thick dumpling dough. This dish was saved by dipping it into their sea salt cream.

Total overall rating: 8/10

So far, this is my favorite Chinese food that I have had in Arizona. I definitely would want to go back to DTF and try new dishes! 🇨🇳🥢

4/27 Edited to

Having visited Din Tai Fung in Scottsdale myself, I can attest to the incredible mix of atmosphere and attentive service that really sets the dining experience apart. The long wait times can be daunting, but as noted, they are truly worth it for those craving quality Chinese cuisine. One of my favorite go-to appetizers there is absolutely the Cucumber Salad. Its crisp texture combined with the flavorful yet light dressing provides a refreshing start. The Honey Lemonade deserves its praise as well; it's surprisingly the perfect non-alcoholic treat, balancing sweet with tangy citrus notes that never feels overpowering. While some dishes like the Sweet & Sour Pork Baby Back Ribs lean on the sweeter side, their tenderness makes them enjoyable nonetheless. I agree that the portion size of the Hot & Sour Soup is generous and perfect for sharing, making it a hearty choice for those colder or rainy days. On the soup dumpling front, I’ve noticed opinions vary, but the Kurobuta Pork Xiao Long Bao can feel a bit inconsistently flavored compared to regional favorites elsewhere in the US. However, the Shrimp & Kurobuta Pork Wontons were a standout for me, with their thin yet sturdy dough and flavorful filling, especially when paired with their unique sauce. As for the noodles with diced beef and Szechuan peppers, it’s true that sometimes visual appeal doesn’t match taste, but mixing sauces can rescue the flavor profile, which is worth trying if you want to give it a second shot. Lastly, the Chocolate & Mochi Xiao Long Bao dessert balances an interesting fusion, but the thickness of the dough can detract somewhat from the filling’s richness. Dipping it into sea salt cream elevates it nicely and I’d recommend trying it if you have a sweet tooth. Overall, Din Tai Fung in Scottsdale stands out as one of Arizona’s top spots for Chinese food, blending familiar favorites with innovative twists. For anyone exploring the local food scene, planning ahead for your reservation or willing to wait will reward your patience with a memorable meal.