First time at this location, and the inside was spacious and clean, with a great ambience. We had a reservation for 8:45 and were promptly shown to our table in less than 2 minutes from check-in. The food was yummy and tasted like every other location. They had a location-specific outside skirt noodle that was good but a little too salty for my liking. The one thing that really stood out compared to the other locations however, was the service. Everyone from the hosts at the front to our server, DJ was very friendly and provided such great hospitality. It's very refreshing to receive such consistently great service from a restaurant especially when it's as busy as this one! read more

Restaurant: Din Tai Fung Location: 812 Spectrum Center Drive, Irvine, CA 92618 Phone: 949-328-7881 Date Eaten: July 12, 2026 Food and Menu: 6/6 Din Tai Fung has amazing food and a tight menu. Everything on their menu has earned its spot. In my experience with this restaurant, the menu leaves nothing to be desired. Service: 6/6 The service here is exceptional; the staff is well-trained, respectful, nice, engaging, knowledgeable, and dressed professionally. The service is quick, except for the waitlist, as this place is extremely busy and rightfully so. Ambiance: 6/6 The ambiance of this location is relaxing and harmonic. The restaurant is large but not loud; the decor is thoughtfully chosen, and the art is genteel. There is nothing flashy that detracts from the food, but everything is presented in the best possible way. Value: 5/6 Although the individual items are well priced, a person would eat two plates on their own, making the value for the items a little less appealing. However, for the quality of the ingredients, freshness, and amazing culinary skill, I find the food well worth the splurge. Cleanliness: 6/6 The ins and outs of this restaurant are exceptionally well-maintained. The small seating area is exceptionally clean; the actual dining area is spotless; and the staff is quick to clean and wipe down tables, then reset them for the next party. The bathrooms here were all individual, gender-neutral, which is honestly a treat, especially at a mall where many of the bathrooms are large public restrooms. Consistency: 6/6 After having food twice before at another location, I was eager to try this one, and it does not disappoint. The food is basically identical to the other location, from menu to preparation to plating. This location did include a new item, the Fried Noodles with Skirt Steak, which quickly joined the menus at the other locations. Overall: 35/36 (97.22%) Our server, Molina, and all the supporting staff were amazing! The only negative items I have to say are the wait times, which, even with a reservation, you may wait a little bit, and the value per dollar. This is especially true for some of their signature cocktails, all of which were at least $17. I highly recommend this restaurant, and I am excited to try some of the desserts next time! If going as a group, I highly recommend sharing plates. This restaurant deserves a try, no matter if you are familiar with Xiao Long Bao. My most recommended items are the Cucumber Salad and the Kurobuta Pork Xiao Long Bao. *Note this location can really only accommodate up to parties of 6 normally. *I did not take any pictures; however, the food is truthfully depicted on their online menu. Take a look if you still have any doubts about trying it! read more

Best GoTo restaurant for hosting important events. Grandpa's favorite restaurant. He is 95 years old, grandpa enjoys all of the food that we have and he expects to order more food for takeout. He loves the beef noodle soup, all of the xiao long baos, dumplings. Shrimp Pork spicy wonton is the must have. He always has space for desserts, red bean and sesame baos are his favorites. Surprisingly he loved the shaved snow with mango. And remind yourself to order hot tea. Tasty food isn't enough, friendly service and a clean safe restroom are also the reasons why our family love Din Tai Fung. BTW, we are going to DTF today, celebrating my belated birthday. read more

I usually order the same dishes every time I come to Din Tai Fung because the food is always consistent and delicious! The cucumbers are spicy, refreshing, and well-marinated. The soup dumplings come out hot, juicy, and slightly sweet. The fried rice is so good. I can never recreate that same flavor and texture at home. The spicy wontons are also a must-try and always a crowd favorite. For dessert, don't skip the sweet dumplings with sea salt cream. They're the perfect way to finish the meal! read more

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This was our second time at Din Tai Fung...our first visit was about 10 YEARS ago...and holy moly...WHERE.HAVE.WE.BEEN?! How did we let that much time go by without coming back?! Yes, it's a bit pricey, but honestly, it's worth it! From the moment you walk in, the beautiful, modern ambience sets the tone for such a wonderful dining experience. Everything feels polished, inviting, and special. The xiao long bao were juicy, delicate, and absolutely delicious. And the green beans?! Who knew green beans could taste THIS good?! They were cooked perfectly with the most amazing crunch. Now, not everything was a home run. We tried the new fried noodles with skirt steak, and unfortunately, the steak was dry and the noodles were pretty unmemorable. I'd skip those next time. But the STAR OF THE SHOW was without a doubt the spicy chicken wontons. OH. MY. GOODNESS. That sauce!!! I am still dreaming about it. Absolutely incredible! And whatever you do, DO NOT leave without ordering the chocolate mochi xiao long bao for dessert. We ordered TWO orders because they were THAT good. Soft, chewy, chocolatey perfection. A special shout-out to Adam, who took great care of us and helped make our second visit such a wonderful experience! Needless to say, we definitely won't be waiting another 10 years to come back. We can't wait for our next visit! read more

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Criminally overrated. Authentic and high class ambience lulls you into complacency in preparation of a spectacularly mid meal. Had a reservation for 1:15, wasn't seated until 1:25. After being seated, server disappears and just leaves you with a paper and doesn't take drink order. Server brought us the wrong meal the first time and we had to correct them. We got the cucumber, although crispy and well presented, it had very little flavor. Like a whisper of something delicious but not quite. The bao pork bun was extremely difficult to get to the meat and even then also had very little flavor. With the sauce provided you find everything starts to taste the same because you're chasing a level of flavor you never get from the actual meal. The xiao long bao also pretty bland, even with sauce. The best thing we had was the new skirt steak with noodles. It saved the review from being 1 star :) Find somewhere authentic to eat. Don't waste your time or money trying to keep up with the OC crowd. Edit: our server, Justice was amazing. read more

Din Tai Fung - Dim Sum Near Me - Irvine, California

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First time at DTF and it did not disappoint!!! Coming from SD stopped by The Spectrum on our way back home to the Central Valley. It was around 1030am and they opened at 11am lines started to form about 20mins prior to opening. Party of 4adults and 3children. The host at the front was giving paper menus and taking down our info. Everyone in your party must be there in order to be seated. At 11am rolled around the doors opened and people with paper menus were allowed in. The servers were very nice! And the inside was so spacious and beautiful, quite fancy and I definitely didn't expect it. Our server was Justin, he explained the menu to us as our party were all first timers. Their menu is easy to follow and is marked for GF options, vegan, vegetarian and guest fav. Our order: Fried noodles with skirt steak-New Fried rice with chicken Sliced chicken noodle soup Noodles with minced kurobuta pork Kurobuta pork XLB-Guest Fav Chocolate and mochi XLB-Guest Fav All our food came out at the same time and didn't wait long. Omg everything was 10/10!! So much flavor! The skirt steak was so juicy and tender! The fried rice was amazing. The chocolate and mochi XLB were delicious and not sweet at all, it was perfect! We thought we had ordered so much food but didn't realize portions here are on the smaller side! After we had finished our mains we did wait a long while for the dessert but other than that service was great! Can't wait to return and will definitely order more food! read more

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This is one of the newest Din Tai Fung around and despite the reviews about a long wait, I got lucky and was able to get seated within 10 minutes of adding myself to the waitlist. Service is always excellent at any Din Tai Fun and when I went, our server Tyler was phenomenal. We ordered Pork Shao Long Bao, Spicy dry noodles, Pork Chop Fried Rice (must try!), and Chocolate Shao Long Bao. Everything was delicious! The restaurant itself is beautiful and spacious. Definitely one of my favorite places around the area. read more

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Jen and I really enjoyed our meal at their SCP location and were excited to try this place as it is much closer and more convenient. We came a bit early on a Friday (5pm) after putting our name on the list before leaving home. Just a short 10 minute wait after we arrived. We repeated the same order as our SCP order. All dishes were equally great except for the spicy won tons. Unfortunately, it seemed they may have been a bit over cooked. They were unsealed (meat falling out) and the meat itself was a bit tough. As for the sauce, it didn't have that typical kick. Jen assume that the won tons weren't properly drained. I still enjoyed them, but Jen did not. Jen did provide some feedback to management, but I'm guess since I ate them all instead of Jen, they may not have taken her completely serious. I would like to return and call it an off night on the won tons. Not sure if Jen will come back. The Chocolate and Mochi Xiao Long Bao are the best and the perfect way to end the meal. As for the ambiance, it was busy, but not overly crowded. We were able to carry on a decent conversation, so the noise was fine. read more

Din Tai Fung - Dim Sum Near Me - Irvine, California

Din Tai Fung is a famous Taiwanese restaurant chain specializing in soup dumplings and noodles. This location at the Irvine Spectrum is massive, with seating for over 500 people! I tried visiting the prior week and there was over an hour wait for a weekday lunch, that same evening the wait was over 3 hours. The inside is spacious, modern and elegant. Chicken Xiao long bao ($17) - This consisted of 10 pleated steamed dumplings with a filling of ground chicken, carrot, celery, ginger and onion. It was like eating chewy pasta filled with chicken and was very comforting. Cod dumplings ($18.50) - This consisted of 10 dumplings with a mixture of Alaskan and Atlantic cod. The inside was a little and probably my least favorite of all the dishes I tried. Chicken spicy wontons ($16) - Made with their signature spicy sauce and topped with garlic and green onions, this was probably my favorite dish here. Chicken and mushroom buns ($9.50) - This consisted of 2 fluffy buns filled with chicken, carrots, celery and oyster mushrooms. It's a good option to get if you want to get full quickly. Noodles with sesame sauce ($12.50) - These thin egg noodles are coated in a nutty sesame sauce and a spicy chili oil. I really enjoyed the strong nutty flavors from this dish. Shaved snow with fresh mango ($10.50) - The soft shaved snow dish was made with milk, and topped with fresh mango and a drizzle of a sweet and tart mango sauce as well as condensed milk. It was so refreshing and tasted it incredible. It is a must get item here! Chocolate & mochi XLB ($13.50) - These are similar to there other Xiao long bao dishes, except it's filled with chocolate truffles. There's only 6 that come with this dish and I didn't feel like there was anything special about this dish. Overall the food tasted amazing and the service was outstanding. Our waiter was extremely knowledgeable and helpful throughout the dining experience. While this place is on the pricier side, it definitely lives up to the hype. read more

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Once upon a time, this Faerie Queen met her dear friends (Doctors within Borders) here for a delicious dumpling extravaganza! We ordered the pork/shrimp dumplings, vegan dumplings/more dumplings and Shumai. We enjoyed every one! We ended our meal with mango sticky rice and chocolate dumplings- Devine! The end. read more

Din Tai Fung - Mango sticky rice for the win! - Dim Sum Near Me - Irvine, California

We came in on a Sunday and it was VERY busy, but what Din Tai isn't, right? Honestly didn't mind the 2 hr wait since we had the ability to shop at nearby stores. My normal order , Kurobuta Pork Xiao Long Bao (10 each) Chicken Xiao Long Bao (10 each) Chicken Dumplings (10 each) String Beans with Garlic, Chicken Fried Rice between my children and I. The mango black tea is my drink of choice. Dessert is always the chocolate dumplings and sea salt cream to die for. This place was definitely busy but all of the staff was very friendly. My waitress was very nice and pleasant. She handled the food restriction for the table as well. I wrote down her name and now I can't find that so I feel so horrible. I'll edit if I find. But even with the amount of people, it was not overly loud. People were respectful all around. I love this new location and look forward to returning. read more

Din Tai Fung - Dim Sum Near Me - Irvine, California

Din Tai Fung is usually my favorite place for the best quality XLB soup dumplings and pork chop fried rice. We've dined at about a dozen locations in Taiwan and US. This location is relatively new and beautifully decorated. Today's meal was extremely disappointing, especially after a super long wait. The pork chop was not marinated enough (flavorless other than the black pepper on top), not crispy, and dry inside. My first bite was also a piece of fat. Our waiter came to check on how everything tasted so we told him about the pork chop. He asked if we wanted him to remove it or remake it, but we told him it's ok, but we had to tell him the truth since he asked. The XLB came out and we immediately saw one piece with broken skin (juice dripped out) and later had another piece that was also broken with no juice. A manager came to ask us about the meal again, so we told her about the pork chop and showed her the XLB with broken skin. She had the kitchen remake 2 fresh pieces to replace the bad ones (that's what they do in Taiwan if a piece is broken). The bill came out minus the pork chop fried rice so we were grateful they removed it without us requesting it and without them telling us. read more

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I haven't visited DTF since 2019, so this was long overdue. I came on a weekend afternoon and for a party of one I was 105 on the waitlist, Looooooolz. These restaurants are no joke. Instead of waiting for a table, I was sat at the bar after maybe 20 minutes, which was perfectly fine. I ordered Kimchi & Pork Dumplings, Shrimp & Pork Spicy Wontons, and Noodles with Spicy Sauce. Everything was delicately handcrafted the way you'd expect. Service from the PM-BAR A team was exceptional. Everyone was kind, cool, welcoming, and attentive. Another wonderful dining experience! read more

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LOVE that Din Tai Fung is spreading across Orange County. This new location at Irvine Spectrum is by Target / kids playground. The walk-in line is outside, but those with reservations could go straight to the desk inside to check in. There is a large area inside where you could park your stroller. They let me bring my stroller to the table because my baby can't sit in a high chair yet. This restaurant is BEAUTIFUL and very well-designed with modern lighting and decorations. It's really big inside. I just wish they had the menu with the pictures like the one at South Coast Plaza, but this isn't an issue since I tend to always order the same things. The Pork XLB, spicy shrimp/pork wontons, pork chop fried rice are my favorite. The sesame noodles are also really good. We also tried the mango shaved snow for the first time and it was SOOO good - so light and fluffy!! read more

Din Tai Fung - Menu page 2 of 2 as of 6/13/2026 - Dim Sum Near Me - Irvine, California

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This isn't my first time eating at Din Tai Fung, but it is my first time eating at the Din Tai Fung in this location. I believe this is the 3rd time I ate at a Din Tai Fung. This one is located at the Irvine Spectrum Center, and has just been open for a few months only. Despite it being new, there was a long wait and it's a very popular dining spot in the area. Parking is not too bad since it's in the lot of the center. We were quoted a wait of 2 hours on a Saturday so we did put our name down and leave to explore and come back closer to the estimated time. Once we were inside and seated, or waiter (I forgot his name.. Maybe Roger?), Was great and got our order in quickly. We ordered a variety of items from the dumplings (shrimp and pork, corn, crab and seafood), chili oil wonton, green beans, pork chops, beef noodles, and spare ribs. We did do more than one order for some of the same dishes. Everything tasted great and wet really enjoyed our meal. I ordered a honey lemon tea and it was not as sweet as I thought, but not bad at all. My favorite was the chili oil wontons and the beef stir fried noodles. The chocolate buns were delicious as well. Overall, great food and service. Price tag was hefty, but with it to me for the food and the great company. Spending time with family and bonding over food is priceless. read more

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Din Tai Fung has absolutely earned its reputation, and after dining there in person and ordering through third-party delivery multiple times, I'm impressed by how incredibly consistent they are. Whether I'm eating in the restaurant or at home, the food always arrives tasting fresh, at the proper temperature, and exactly how I remember it. I actually visited during the restaurant's soft opening, and while there were a few understandable kinks to work through, nothing was significant enough to keep me from coming back. I'm glad I did because they've clearly refined the operation. Every visit since has been smooth, efficient, and consistently excellent. The Kurobuta Pork Xiao Long Bao are the obvious star for a reason. The wrappers are delicate without tearing, and every dumpling is packed with rich, flavorful broth and perfectly seasoned pork. If it's your first time visiting, these are an absolute must-order. Another favorite is the Chicken Spicy Wontons, which have the perfect balance of heat, sweetness, and savory flavor. They're incredibly addictive and one of the dishes I look forward to every time I visit. The Shrimp & Kurobuta Pork Shao Mai are another standout. They're generously filled, perfectly steamed, and have a great texture that makes them easy to recommend alongside the soup dumplings. For vegetables, I almost always order the String Beans with Garlic. They're simple, but executed flawlessly--crisp, garlicky, and the perfect side to balance out some of the richer dishes. If you're looking for something heartier, the Fried Noodles with Chicken are definitely worth trying. The noodles have a great texture and are well seasoned, making them a solid option on the menu. That said, if it's your first visit, I'd prioritize the dumplings and wontons over the noodles. The noodles are good, but Din Tai Fung truly shines with its dumplings, and that's what keeps me coming back. One thing I really appreciate is how well Din Tai Fung handles takeout and delivery. Their reheating and serving instructions are clear, easy to follow, and actually preserve the quality of the meal. It's one of the few restaurants where ordering delivery doesn't feel like you're sacrificing the experience. The service has always been friendly and efficient, and despite how busy they are, everything feels organized from start to finish. read more

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We've always been a big fan of Din Tai Fung but especially love this new location at Spectrum. Sometimes the wait is long but you can join the Yelp waitlist and walk around the outdoor mall with plenty of stores nearby. If you've never been, I recommend trying their XLB soup dumplings that come out perfect each time and my personal favorite, the sticky rice shumai. I love that this location is super kid friendly and they provide suction plates for children to use. If you're in the mood for dessert, they have plenty of options with their mango snow being one of the best I've had. Service has always been amazing and love every server we've had. Sometimes when they're busy, the kitchen dishes come out a little slower but 100% worth the wait. read more

Din Tai Fung - Dim Sum Near Me - Irvine, California

Another DTF, and this time at Irvine Spectrum. If you never had DTF, I don't know where to start other than, you need to try at least once. Food is superb and dare I say even better than some other DTF I've visited. What to get? XLB of course, followed by the spare ribs and Dan Dan noodles. The fried rice is also our go to. Service is still a bit slow since they opened a few months ago, but we didn't mind since we weren't in a rush. Some may find the following odd, but this DTF has individual separate restrooms. Each one is its own private room and there's also a sink at the entrance of the bathroom hallway if you're just looking to washing your hands. Located near Target so Parking near there has been somewhat impacted. read more

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I came to Irvine Spectrum to get out of the house and enjoy a walk around the center. While there, I was craving chocolate mochi, so I decided to place a to-go order to enjoy with my family. Before ordering, I asked how long the wait would be and was told 15-20 minutes. That seemed reasonable so I placed my order and waited. After 15 minutes, I wasn't concerned since I had been told it could take up to 20 minutes. When 25 minutes had passed, I politely asked for an update and was told they were just waiting on the cream. Again, I was understanding and continued to wait. However, after a total of 45 minutes, I still had not received my order. At that point I spoke with the manager and asked to cancel it. I was then told they would check on the order and shortly afterward my single order of chocolate mochi was brought out. Unfortunately, by then the excitement & joy I walked in with was gone completely. Delays happen, but what disappointed me most was the lack of communication and empathy during the wait. A simple update or sincere acknowledgment of the delay would have gone a long way. Waiting 45 minutes for one order after being quoted 15-20 minutes is unacceptable. I left feeling frustrated and disappointed with the overall service experience. read more

Din Tai Fung - Dim Sum Near Me - Irvine, California

Spending a Thursday afternoon walking around the Irvine spectrum and decided it was worth finding something to eat. The waitlist queue is available to join from right here in Yelp! Awesome! Joined the queue, kept walking around and shopping. Got notified to head back, check in and was seated promptly. It's a big, very clean and elegantly simple restaurant. Each section a little different, under the tree in the center is really cool. Our waitress was incredible (thanks Elisabeth!) and very helpful. Explained everything well, offered tips and suggestions, and was attentive. It really was a team effort, too. Other staff would stop by and take empty plates, refill water, ask if we needed anything. A true team approach that matters. Food was delicious. You can see staff making noodles and dumplings from a display kitchen outside. Fresh noodles are hard to beat. While you might wait a bit to get in, the food was quick once ordered. Can't wait to visit again! read more

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Din Tai Fung in the the Irvine Spectrum is a big, beautiful new location for the franchise. Make sure to get on the waitlist 2 hours before you plan on eating because the wait is truly 2 hours, no cap. The favorite dishes here are the favorites for good reason! They are excellent all-around - taste, portion, value. Those include the cucumber salad, pork xiao long bao, spicy wontons, garlic string beans, and even the dessert chocolate xiao long baos! Shout-out to my server on my last visit, Aaron W. for his excellent and friendly service! read more

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Love this location! Food was also great, nothing to complain about. We ordered: - Cucumber salad: refreshing, it was great eating after a bunch of high carbs dishes - String beans: highlight of the menu that I'm sure everyone likes. No other places beat DTF's beans yet. - Shrimp fried rice: a must order every time we are here. Really good seasoning, rice was not dry at all. And the usual xiao long baos and dumplings that we ordered. I preferred their wontons more. Drinks were also good. Always liked their Sea Salt Cream Tea w Boba. Their new Matcha drink was good as well. read more

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So excited to see Ding Tai Fung finally opened in Irvine Spectrum Center The best xiao long bao dumpling chain Located right next to Target . Signature pork xiao long bao Steamed fish dumplings Spicy sour soup Stir fried string beans Best pork chop fried rice . First time trying sesame dessert xiao long bao with chilled form dipping, recommended by our server which was amazing read more

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Food and service was amazing! Joining the waitlist while shopping around the spectrum definitely is the move. We always love the XLB, green beans, and the spicy dumplings! Special shout out to Jason for the quick seating and effective communication. The only food I would not get again was the mango green tea and boba, they were okay. They are quick with their delivery of food so I appreciated that as well. read more

We had two servers. Elizabeth and Tyler they were both excellent. They checked to make sure everything was done properly, and my water was always filled that to me as a huge +++ My first time I thought the food was excellent. We had chicken soup dumplings, cucumber salad, and skirt steak with noodles. Everything was yummy. Yummy yummy. I couldn't eat the cucumbers because they were too spicy, but I'm sure other people would've liked it because it was crisp and refreshing. I'll have to go back because there's so many other items I would like to try. read more

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I am ALWAYS in the mood for some Din Tai Fung..so you literally NEVER have to ask me twice. Lol To say that I have been long awaiting for this new Irvine Spectrum location to open up, since it would be the closest to my house..is an understatement. I have legit been counting down the days and praying that the hype dies down for me to come check it out. My mom had the day off on a random Tuesday, so we decided to have a lunch date and try our luck w/ the new DTF. I was about 1ish pm and I noticed that Yelp took online reservations..which is GENIUS btw. To my surprise, the wait wasn't that long ~ about 20-30 mins, which actually worked out cuz it gave her time to drive over to my place. The staff was super attentive & friendly. The new location took up quite a bit of real estate at the Spectrum, taking over the old Q clothing store lot and prolly then some. It's also facing the back entrance to Target & the merry-go-round. Inside was uber spacious (wayyy bigger than SCP for sure!) and renovated to give you that fine dining experience. The decor is modern, clean and oozed fancy (OMG..even their bathrooms are uber nice lol). Upon the text that our table was ready and we checked-in, we were seated quite quickly. For just 2 people, we got a nice booth with the view of the beautiful indoor tree (not sure if it was real or not), in the center of the restaurant. Of course I had to order my usuals ~ cucumber salad, sweet & sour pork baby back ribs, string beans w/ garlic, shrimp fried noodles, sticky rice shao mai w/ kurobuta pork & mushroom, and to finish cuz we ALWAYS have room for dessert..the red bean buns. My mom opt'd for some hot jasmine tea, while I love their sea salt cream jasmine iced tea. The food was fresh, flavorful & on-point as it always is and expected. Shout-out to Justin (our server) for being awesome at checking-in to ensure we had a great dining experience. If you can tolerate the madness that is the Irvine Spectrum, parking & all, this new DTF is a good alternative location in OC!!! Love their Yelp rezo functionality, as gives you visibility the current waitlist time and allows you to join much easier. Total RxFoodie recommend! read more

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A Love Letter to the Chocolate Dumplings This was our first time at Din Tai Fung, and my wife and I finally scored a rare date night away from our toddler to check it out. We walked in to a three hour wait and were told we wouldn't be seated until 10:15PM. We decided to stick it out anyway, and it was the best decision of the night. Our server, Jaho, was incredible from the second we sat down. We skipped ordering ourselves and let him pick everything. Every single dish he brought was outstanding, we didn't leave a single leftover, and I kept sneaking "just one more bite" the whole meal. Then came the chocolate dumplings, and this is where the night became unforgettable. I expected simple melted chocolate wrapped in dough. Instead, it was the exact rich filling of my favorite dessert, chocolate cake, except somehow more special. No spoon, no uneven slices, just one perfect burst of chocolate in every single bite, each one landing like its own little celebration. I closed my eyes. I genuinely teared up. I don't usually write reviews like this. That should tell you everything. The ambiance matched the food. Felt lined ceilings, a beautiful room, and music set at exactly the right volume so we never had to raise our voices. Service was just as dialed in: drinks stayed full, food came out quickly, and plates disappeared the moment we finished. Jaho's peach tea recommendation paired perfectly with everything. This is one of the best date nights we've had in a long time. Every time we manage a night out without our little one now, we're coming straight back here. Fingers crossed we land in Jaho's section again, because we can't wait to work through the rest of the menu, as long as every visit still ends with those chocolate dumplings. read more

Din Tai Fung - Date night eating dumplings! - Dim Sum Near Me - Irvine, California

Finally checked out Din Tai Fung after hearing people rave about it for years, and I have to say it lived up to the hype. I was honestly shocked that the Irvine Spectrum location was still packed at 10 PM on a Friday. For Irvine, that's saying something. I started with the Yuzu Margarita. It was light, citrusy, and refreshing with a nice hint of yuzu, but it didn't really stand out to me. It was good, just not memorable. Next time I'll probably try a different cocktail. For food, I ordered the chicken dumplings and shared the fried noodles with vegetables since my date is vegetarian. The noodles were simple but really flavorful and cooked perfectly. She also ordered the vegan spicy wontons, and honestly, those ended up being my favorite dish of the night. They had the perfect amount of spice and were packed with flavor. I'd definitely order those again over the chicken dumplings. We finished the meal with the chocolate mochi, which was a great way to end the night. Soft, chewy, and filled with rich chocolate without being overly sweet. The real highlight of the evening, though, was our server, Alyx. She was genuinely friendly, attentive, and made my first visit feel special. Great service can completely change a dining experience, and she absolutely delivered. Overall, I can definitely see why Din Tai Fung has such a loyal following. Between the food, the atmosphere, and Alyx's amazing service, it was a great first experience. Looking forward to coming back and trying more of the menu. Cool fact: Din Tai Fung is the highest grossing restaurant chain in the U.S. on a per location basis, with each restaurant averaging about $27.4 million in annual sales. read more

Dined in again during the week, we got there around 5pm and got seated right away as a walk in. Ryan was our server and was great. He was very attentive and made sure we were taken care of. Everything we had was perfect as always. The favorites are the spicy chicken wontons and the chicken xiao long baos. Love that they opened this location closer to home. read more

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So excited they finally built a Din Tai Fung with plenty of space inside! Compared to the location at South Coast Plaza, this DTF is very spacious inside and has an expansive amount of seating to accommodate different party sizes both large and small. There's also about 10-12 seats at a small bar area as well. Food and service is consistent with other locations. I have noticed they are starting to give barely and spicy wonton sauce in this dish but totally understandable I guess since it's so good I want to put it on everything! The unisex restrooms here are also super sleek and modern. If the bathroom is in use, you'll see a red light at the top of the stall or if it's free, you'll see a white light. No more having to awkward look below stall doors to see if it's in use or not. There's also a hand washing station built in to I think all of the restrooms. They also have a handwashing station outside the bathroom stalls as well. I've always been a fan of DTF so nice to see another location open within such a short distance from South Coast Plaza and Downtown Disney. read more

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This is the first time I sat at a Din Tai Fung restaurant and it was not bad at all! It's the fastest way to be seated, after waiting only about 10 minutes, compared to two hours. I believe this is the newest Din Tai Fung in southern California, with a couple more planned in Los Angeles and Orange County. The menu now has more meat options which are delicious and to me,even more popular than the dumplings. Mind you, the dumpllings are what made this chain famous, but sometimes a person needs variety when dining at a nice restaurant. The style is very similar to the Glendale and Torrance location, with a bonsai tree adorning the inside area and co-ed restrooms for one individual at a time. read more

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Had an almost perfect meal here- The wait was longer than we expected since we had a reservation, and they didn't have the rice cakes here! Other than that though, it's such yummy food and drink, I'll be back! Once you order the food comes out so quickly. I love those chocolate dumplings too! The manager was so friendly and nice to check on us too! read more

Love Din Tai Fung! I've been to a few locations and the Irvine Spectrum one definitely didn't disappoint. The service was super friendly, and they're always helpful with the menu whether it's your first time or not. Perfect spot for a nicer meal or even after shopping around. We got some of our usuals: cucumber salad, short ribs with the best sticky sauce, pork xiao long bao, spicy chicken wontons, garlic green beans, and sesame noodles. The spicy wontons are honestly still my favorite. I also love that their vegan options are actually really good too. To finish, we had the chocolate xiao long bao -- easily the thing I crave most from Din Tai Fung. Overall such a great Mother's Day meal! read more

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We checked out the restaurant mainly to see the new decoration, since it's only about 3 miles from work and convenient enough for a spontaneous visit. I wouldn't plan a month in advance or wait more than 10 minutes for a reservation here, so it felt worth it only because of the location. Service was just okay. The xiao long bao took quite a long time to arrive--about 20 minutes after ordering--which set the tone a bit for the meal. The food overall was fine but not particularly memorable. The bean thread appetizer was actually the highlight--really well done and enjoyable. The chicken xiao long bao was good, but not at a level where I'd wait hours for it. The dan dan noodles were decent as well, though I've definitely had better versions elsewhere. My husband isn't a fan of Din Tai Fung and feels it's overpriced, while his sister is a big fan and would book weeks or even months ahead just to eat here. I can see both perspectives, but for me it's more of a "convenient and nice enough" spot rather than a destination restaurant. That said, the space itself is very pretty and well-designed, and the new decor really stands out. It's a pleasant place to sit and eat, even if the food doesn't fully match the ambiance or hype. read more

DTF is now at the Irvine Spectrum. It is a gorgeous palace of a restaurant. The food is wonderful. All five stars except for one small oversight: parking. DTF has now created the perfect location for the new TV Show called "Parking Wars." And of course, there are but a couple of handicapped spots. The stress of parking is not for me. I rather drive to South Coast Plaza. read more

First time at this location. Everything was amazing!! Ambiance: Modern/Contemporary: spacious with beautiful decor. Very trendy with clean lines and sophisticated vibes. The silk tree in the middle of the dinning area and dim lighting is perfect for date night. Service: very attentive, friendly and quick. Food: food is definitely better than other DTF we have been too. We ordered our usual and tried their new item-pan fried noodles with skirt steak. It was delish!! read more

Din Tai Fung - Must have! Cucumber salad - Dim Sum Near Me - Irvine, California

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I'm happy that I finally got a chance to visit Din Tai Fung at the Irvine Spectrum. It is located near the Nordstrom and 85C Bakery. The inside of the restaurant is very big. Food: The food here is excellent. I enjoyed the pork and veggie spicy wontons xiao long bao dumplings, and green beans. They were all very tasty. Service: our waiter was extremely friendly and attentive. However, the hostess was not as kind. She was originally going to sit us way in the back of the restaurant even though I walked in the restaurant with a cane. Ambiance: The decor inside the restaurant is very nice and there is plenty of seating. read more

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The second Din Tai Fung I have been to, and this new opening really blew me away. They still have extremely long wait times so best to make a reservation. The interior aesthetic is unparalleled, gorgeously decorated and extremely beautiful. The food is all delicious and wonderfully presented. The XLB are their signature and perfectly seasoned and filled with soup. Excellent service that is friendly and useful. read more

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Dumplings are much smaller than you'd expect, and overall portions are very small for the price. BUT! The flavor is impeccable. Especially with the vinegar and soy sauce and chili dipping sauce they make at the table for you. Also, expect a wait. It's always busy. read more