Glendale: Truffle Dumplings at Din Tai Fung

The newest Din Tai Fung has now opened at the Americana in Glendale. This one differs from the two in Arcadia with two additional dishes including the truffle xiao long bao (juicy soup dumplings).

A lot of attention has been given to these truffle dumplings. The cost seems exorbitant at $22 for 5 dumplings but then I remind myself how a mere shaving of truffles on pasta can cost $35 more. It almost seems like a bargain then to have these juicy soup dumplings. Almost.

I did like them but I did not love them more than my favorite pork and crab xiao long bao. And we also got the pork XLBs. The two baskets of 20 dumplings cost less than one basket of truffle XLBs. So yes, get them if you love truffles… but that’s not why you went to Din Tai Fung in the first place, right? You go for everything else.

I have some favorites I always order at DTF including the seaweed and tofu salad. My friend and I thought the portion was smaller but was surprised how big the spinach portion was. The salad was a near replica of my beloved appetizer.

My friend likes spicy wontons. The sauce for this was sweeter. I ended up adding more chili paste to the sauce.

The spinach seemed more delicate with the garlic. It’s still an awesome dish and great value. I wouldn’t mind trying the green beans next time.

As mentioned, we got both the pork and pork and crab xiao long bao. I appreciated they put in our order in rounds instead of all at once. We got to savor the soup dumplings before a fresh batch hit the table. I always like seafood mixed with pork but I know some purists like just the pork. Get both and everyone will be happy.

I’ve been on a beef noodle soup kick lately. DTF does a serviceable version with tender beef. The broth was good though not at all spicy. I would have liked some tendon but I always want more tendon and tripe in my beef noodle soups.

Overall, I’m glad there’s this location at Glendale but I probably will be sticking to the ones in the San Gabriel Valley.

Din Tai Fung at the Americana

177 Caruso Ave., Glendale, CA 91210  —  (818) 551-5561

** entrance is on Brand Avenue

© The Minty 2013