Taiwanese Dumpling Specialists Din Tai Fung Now Has Plans for TWO London Sites

Din Tai Fung, the Taiwanese dumpling specialists which last year was confirmed to be opening a restaurant in the newly redeveloped Centre Point building on Tottenham Court Road, is rumoured to already have its sights set on a second venue, this time in Covent Garden.

MCA reports today that the company, which operate 135 restaurants worldwide, are planning to open a flagship venue on the Henrietta Street site of Henry’s Café Bar. The site would likely precede the delayed Centrepoint venue, which will join offerings from Sushisamba, Vapiano, and others, in the iconic concrete tower.

At the heart of the 34-story Centre Point, there will be a new public square, lined with cafes and restaurants. It is still understood that Din Tai Fung will open in this space, though given delays, that may not be until early next year.

MCA reports that the Convent Garden site will be the brand’s “flagship” though Eater London has been told that the lease has not yet been signed.

Din Tai Fung — which was originally founded in Tapei in 1980 — has 21 locations in Singapore and three in Thailand, as well as numerous sites across Asia and Australia. The group also has a sizeable portfolio in the United States, with four restaurants in Los Angeles, a site in Orange County, one in Santa Clara and four locations in Seattle.

London will be the first European branch for the Taiwanese restaurant, which MCA says is involved in a joint venture with the Singapore-based food and beverage company BreadTalk Group. Din Tai Fung is known most famously for its signature Xiao Long Bao (steamed soup pork dumplings.)

London eagerly awaits confirmation.

• Din Tai Fung plans Covent Garden flagship [MCA/Paywall]