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

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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

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