Xiaolongbao dumplings at Din Tai Fung’s London Taiwanese dumpling restaurant now open in Covent Garden

Eater Inside

A Complete Look at Din Tai Fung’s First London Restaurant

A closer look at the xiaolongbao that make it London’s most anticipated 2018 opening

by James Hansen@jameskhansen Updated Jan 6, 2019, 6:43pm GMT

Photography by Tomas Jivanda

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Din Tai Fung is London’s most hyped restaurant opening of 2018. That much is indisputable. The Taiwanese chain’s opening was first rumoured in autumn 2017; news of not one, but two Din Tai Fung London openings soon followed; Covent Garden was confirmed as the first, and that long-awaited dumpling opening date came just weeks ago; the chain revealed exactly why London is its first city for European expansion, before cannily “predicting” five-hour queues on opening day. For all kinds of different reasons, this dumpling restaurants arrival in London matters, to many people.

Those wait-times might not have eventuated, but it hasn’t stopped Londoners flocking to the world-famous dumpling restaurant, in search of xiaolongbao, hype-ready photos, and the chance to experience an entirely new restaurant that, for many Londoners, is also a taste of home.

Take a look inside the London restaurant opening that took 2108’s hypebeasts — accidental or not — by storm.

The bar at Din Tai Fung’s xiaolongbao dumpling restaurant in London, now open in Covent Garden — Preparations behind the bar

Xiaolongbao dumplings being prepared at Din Tai Fung’s new London restaurant in Covent Garden — The xiaolongbao prep kitchen looks on to the dining room

Diners at Din Tai Fung’s first London xiaolongbao restaurant in Covent Garden — Diners that braved the queues

Xiaolongbao dumpling preparation at Taiwanese restaurant Din Tai Fung’s first London opening in Covent Garden — Dumpling fillings include prawn, pork, and angled gourd

Dumpling preparation at world-famous Taiwanese dumpling restaurant Din Tai Fung, now open in Covent Garden, London — Folds must be exacting

Xiaolongbao dumpling preparation at Taiwanese restaurant Din Tai Fung’s first London opening in Covent Garden — Putting the requisite 18 pleats in the xiaolongbao

Xiaolongbao dumplings at Din Tai Fung’s new London restaurant in Covent Garden — The finished articles, ready for steaming

Xiao long bao dumplings on the menu at Din Tai Fung’s first London restaurant opening — Ready

Din Tai Fung’s xiaolongbao dumplings let down food critic Tim Hayward at world-famous dumpling chain restaurant in London. — More ready

Soy sauce and vinegar for xiaolongbao dumplings at Din Tai Fung’s new London restaurant in Covent Garden — Essential accompaniments

Chopsticks, soup spoon and napkin for xiaolongbao dumplings at Din Tai Fung’s new London restaurant in Covent Garden — The necessary tools

Xiaolongbao production at Din Tai Fung’s London restaurant opening in Covent Garden — Scenes on the production line

Trays of xiaolongbao dumplings at Din Tai Fung’s London restaurant in Covent Garden — Out for delivery

Wontons at Din Tai Fung, the London dumpling restaurant from the world-famous xiaolongbao chain — Wontons in black vinegar and chilli oil

Din Tai Fung’s xiaolongbao dumplings are now on the menu in Covent Garden London — A spread