Renowned Taiwanese xiaolongbao chain restaurant Din Tai Fung is set to open its long-awaited branch in the heart of Manhattan on July 11. The New York location is now accepting reservations in anticipation of the grand opening.
During the first week of operation from July 11 to 17, the New York branch will offer a limited menu. On July 18, Din Tai Fung’s team will hold a grand ribbon-cutting ceremony and opening event, followed by the full menu service. Reservations are being accepted on Yelp starting July 2.
The New York branch of Din Tai Fung is situated at 1633 Broadway, between West 50th and 51st Streets in Manhattan. Not only is this the brand’s first East Coast location, but it is also their largest global branch.
Spanning 26,400 square feet, the Din Tai Fung New York store boasts 450 seats and was designed by renowned American designer David Rockwell. Diners can watch the preparation of the fresh xiaolongbao – with over 10,000 made daily – through glass walls in the open kitchen.
With 171 branches worldwide, from Seattle to Shanghai, Manila to Melbourne, spanning over ten countries and regions, Din Tai Fung has established itself as a global brand. Currently, Din Tai Fung operates 14 stores in the United States, all on the West Coast.
Founded by Yang Bingyi and his wife Lai Penmei in 1958 as an oil retailer, Din Tai Fung transitioned into a restaurant selling xiaolongbao in 1972. The brand’s evolution into a multinational corporation began in 1996 with the opening of the Shinjuku branch in Japan.
Din Tai Fung was once hailed by The New York Times in 1993 as one of the “World’s Top Ten Best Restaurants.” In 2010, its Tsim Sha Tsui branch in Hong Kong received a Michelin star, becoming the first Taiwanese restaurant to be awarded a star in the Michelin Guide.
The intentionally pleated xiaolongbao at Din Tai Fung, known for their handcrafted “Golden Ratio of 18 Folds,” remains a hallmark of the brand to this day.