the 小龙包 (soup dumplings) thread
Nov 15, 2015 | 4:00 am
#76
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Bay Area
Programs: BA - Blue
Posts: 4,720
While I'm hard pressed to think of anywhere better than dtf off hand (and I actively dislike the original 南翔 place), I think there is value in seeking out venues that have a bit more local flavor. (Why come all the way to Shanghai to get the exact same product that's on offer in Seattle?)
There is an unfortunate wide variety in quality and taste among DTF branches worldwide, even within its home city, Taipei in Taiwan.
There are pretty bad locations in LA (Arcadia is good), and even within Taipei you need to choose carefully. Seattle is very iffy, and can be OK or bad or good depending on the day/time....and of course don't bother trying the location in Toronto which is a fake knockoff called 'DinG Tai Fung', which fooled me at first glance and almost swore me off the brand before I figured out they ripped off the real DTF.
For the best XLB, I try to find the under the radar mom and pop shops that locals gravitate to.
There are pretty bad locations in LA (Arcadia is good), and even within Taipei you need to choose carefully. Seattle is very iffy, and can be OK or bad or good depending on the day/time....and of course don't bother trying the location in Toronto which is a fake knockoff called 'DinG Tai Fung', which fooled me at first glance and almost swore me off the brand before I figured out they ripped off the real DTF.
For the best XLB, I try to find the under the radar mom and pop shops that locals gravitate to.
You forget that locals also tend to gravitate to DTF -- I've never seen a location that isn't busy...and 99+% are Chinese. It may be that they are sl. more well-healed locals, but I doubt they are not discerning at all.
tb
Nov 15, 2015 | 6:57 am
#77
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: SQ, QF, UA, CO, DL
Posts: 3,905
Well, none of the DTF locations are nearby me or where I might travel, with the exception of one of the Shanghai locations - I was contemplating exploring the Xujiahui area on my last night and there's a location in a mall there. Will probably still ask the students if there are places closer to the university/hotel. Will probably also ask them to write out an order for me
Nov 15, 2015 | 9:05 am
#78
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: Delta Gold, silver, what yr is it?
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Nov 15, 2015 | 7:39 pm
#79
Ambassador: China
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Malibu Inferno Ground Zero
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Nov 15, 2015 | 10:02 pm
#80
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Bay Area
Programs: BA - Blue
Posts: 4,720
Yes, really. That photo didn't show the 495 Chinese people in the restaurant in hour before and after it was taken.
Of course DTF has foreigners in it: we're talking about it in English for one. But it's certainly not like some expat restaurants where 20% of the clientele may be non-Chinese.
Have your personal experiences at DTF on the mainland been different?
tb
Of course DTF has foreigners in it: we're talking about it in English for one. But it's certainly not like some expat restaurants where 20% of the clientele may be non-Chinese.
Have your personal experiences at DTF on the mainland been different?
tb
Nov 15, 2015 | 10:39 pm
#81
Original Poster
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 46,325
I tried the black truffle (pork) xlb at dtf in xtd yesterday for the first time. While I can't say that I would ever order it a second time by choice, it was an interesting flavor combination (strong truffle taste).
Nov 16, 2015 | 1:34 pm
#82
Ambassador: China
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Malibu Inferno Ground Zero
Programs: UA AA CO
Posts: 4,836
Yes, really. That photo didn't show the 495 Chinese people in the restaurant in hour before and after it was taken.
Of course DTF has foreigners in it: we're talking about it in English for one. But it's certainly not like some expat restaurants where 20% of the clientele may be non-Chinese.
Have your personal experiences at DTF on the mainland been different?
tb
Of course DTF has foreigners in it: we're talking about it in English for one. But it's certainly not like some expat restaurants where 20% of the clientele may be non-Chinese.
Have your personal experiences at DTF on the mainland been different?
tb
I don't recall eating at any DTF in the mainland, but do know it is quite popular here in US locations with non-Chinese.
On second thought, after reading MDs post above, I do recall eating at the XTD location. But considered it inline with the general disneyland appearance of XTD.
Last edited by anacapamalibu; Nov 16, 2015 at 1:42 pm
Nov 16, 2015 | 5:01 pm
#83
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Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Tainan, Taiwan
Posts: 15,233
I went to probably the most popular XLB joint in my town last night. Hadn't been there in a while, but I had a friend visiting from the US, and she wanted to try it. I was surprised at how many foreigners I saw there. It's a big place, and maybe 20% of the tables were laowai. That's huge for Tainan (if you don't count the few places in town the cater specifically to foreigners). Most of them looked like engineers, probably working out at the Science Park. Didn't look like tourists.
I guess XLB has become a "thing" among the expats.
I guess XLB has become a "thing" among the expats.
Nov 16, 2015 | 8:14 pm
#84
Ambassador: China
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Nov 19, 2015 | 6:29 am
#85
Join Date: Oct 2004
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I've still only eaten these delicious creatures at two locations.
First, Zhabei with my Shanghainese close friend (I was his best man when he married) several times and then during trade fair visits at some reasonably local streets a few stone throws from Longyang Rd. station.
For any visitor wishing to enjoy "truly local" Shanghainese restaurants and brekkie joints, Zhabei would probably be the place to go. It's middle class and above, several generations of local families live there and not pretentious at all.
Take metro line 1, get off at North Zhongshan Rd. or Yancghang Rd. and enjoy your breakfast or brunch.
First, Zhabei with my Shanghainese close friend (I was his best man when he married) several times and then during trade fair visits at some reasonably local streets a few stone throws from Longyang Rd. station.
For any visitor wishing to enjoy "truly local" Shanghainese restaurants and brekkie joints, Zhabei would probably be the place to go. It's middle class and above, several generations of local families live there and not pretentious at all.
Take metro line 1, get off at North Zhongshan Rd. or Yancghang Rd. and enjoy your breakfast or brunch.