Ding Tai Fung Shanghai Dim Sum

We wrapped up Chopstick Walk 2015 with Shanghai-style dim sum at Ding Tai Fung on Highway 7. Located in the busy and huge First Markham Place strip mall, this restaurant is popular for its xiaolongbao (steamed buns prepared in bamboo steaming baskets.

This restaurant had a steady stream of traffic for the entire weekday lunch crowd. Service was fast and efficient.<br/ <br/ We ordered green beans with spicy pork, Shanghai soup dumplings (2 varieties crab and pork and just pork), deep fried spring rolls, steamed chive dumplings, and the green onion pancakes.<br/ <br/ The Shanghai soup dumplings, especially the crab and pork, were so outstanding that my memory of the rest of the meal (from yesterday) is limited. The broth squirted out in huge bursts. Thin, delicate skin. And it was heavenly. It was comparable to the soup dumplings I have had in Richmond, BC, but even better.<br/ <br/ The chive dumplings were also incredible. Fluffy and generously filled. Aromatic.<br/ <br/ So worth the wait.

Stand out dishes are their xiao long bao with pork and crab--perfect when eaten with a shred of vinegar-soaked ginger; snow pea shoots sautéed in garlic, and beef brisket noodle soup with wontons. Their fried rice is just as consistently delicious. Service is brisk and efficient; not unfriendly. Comfortable, clean surroundings and a clear view of the busy prep cooks rolling and stuffing dumplings behind a large glass feature wall enhance this restaurant staple.

The food is pretty good. I ate there many times and the quality have been more or less the same. But the cleanliness of the restaurant turns me off. Sometimes the tables are sticky and there are flies. But either than that the food is enjoyable.

This place is yummy and satisfying! There are a few items I always order every time I visit: Xiao Long Bao, Steamed Sticky Rice Rolls (one order each of savoury sweet), Braised Beef Noodles in Soup, Shanghai-Style Fried Rice Cake, and Red Bean Souffle Balls for dessert. I like Shanghai food in general, so I always enjoy my visits here. My family has been coming here for almost 18 years now and they've managed to maintain quality food. And of course, it's always cool to peek through the viewing window into the kitchen, where chefs are busy hand-pulling noodles and stacking towers of dim sum up to the ceiling!