Sometimes during tea time, I wished for delicacies such as dim sum but most of the restaurants are closed. I’m glad that Din Tai Fung has introduced their Tea Time Desserts Sets and along with some new exciting dishes as well. Rated as one of the top ten restaurants in the world by The New York Times, Din Tai Fung has definitely transformed a long way from its origins of being a cooking oil retail shop.
I was recently invited to review their Tea Time Desserts and new dishes with several other media and bloggers. The first thing we did was to select our drinks. We can opt for either Roselle drink, Lemongrass with Lime Juice drink or Ginseng Tea with Red Dates. I opted for Roselle drink which is slightly sour with a hint of rose scent.
The first dish served was the famous Xiao Long Bao (Steamed Dumpling). Each Xiao Long Bao is delicately hand pleated with 18 exquisite folds and prepared fresh using only the finest ingredients. Always remember the sauce, a mixture of soy sauce and vinegar. Dip the dumplings with the sauce, the flavours will burst in your mouth. This is one of my favourite dish and a ‘Must Order’ dim sum at Din Tai Fung. We also had the steam shrimp and pork dumpling as well.
The next items are some of the new dishes introduced to the existing menu at Din Tai Fung. We tried the Noodle with Fresh Mushrooms & Tofu. The noodles are handmade and soft, paired it with steamed tofu and fresh mushrooms drizzle in homemade soup is definitely a winner. If you preferred rice, then go for the Vegetables and Diced Beancurd Fried Rice.
Next, we have the Stir-Fried Cloud Ear Mushroom with Garlic and Stir-Fried Garlic Shoot with Minced Pork. The Stir-Fried Cloud Ear Mushroom is chewy soft with a hint of chili taste is certainly appetizing. However, the winner would be the Stir-Fried Garlic Shoot with Minced Pork which is crunchy and sweet.
Following, suit we had a variety of mini buns served. As part of the Tea Time Desserts Set, you can opt for Red Bean bun, Taro bun, Sesame bun and the latest addition Golden Custard Egg bun. All of the buns are equally good but my favourite has got to be the Golden Custard Egg bun. Rich, sweet custard oozing out when you open the bun to eat it. Might be a little messy but in a good way.
If minis bun are not fulfilling, then go for the normal buns. Options available are Pork bun, Vegetable Pork Bun and Vegetable Mushroom bun. I personally liked the Vegetable Mushroom bun for it’s a healthier choice and it tasted amazingly good.
Next, choose from a variety of savouries from the Tea Time Desserts Set. A wide range is available for your selection such as Chocolate & Red Bean Xiao Long Bao, Steam Thousand Layer Cake and Sesame Rice ball with peanuts. For hot / cold desserts to soothe your throat choose from Boil Papaya with Snow Fungus, Sesame Rice Ball in red bean soup or Chilled Mango Pudding.
Din Tai Fung Tea Time Desserts Set is available from Monday – Friday (except public holiday) from 3pm – 6pm. Price starts from RM13.80 per dish/tray. It’s available at all Din Tai Fung outlets:
- Lot 6.01.05, Level 6, Pavilion KL
- LG207, Lower Ground Floor, The Gardens Mall
- G15, Ground Floor, Empire Shopping Gallery
- G17-20, Ground Floor, eCurve
- G343A, Ground Floor (New Wing), 1 Utama Shopping Centre
Fans of Din Tai Fung in Penang, stands to rejoice as December 2015 marks a new outlet opening at Gurney Plaza, Penang. By the way, Din Tai Fung has takeaway service as well. For more information, log on to Din Tai Fung Malaysia