Din Tai Fung

"Din Tai Fung is a Taiwanese restaurant, with locations all over Dubai - not to mention the rest of the globe! The original restaurant is family-run and opened in Taipei in 1972. Since then, It has become a famous name across Asia, with some branches even being awarded a Michelin star. It's fair to say this is my ultimate Dubai restaurant recommendation. Every time I visit the UAE, I try to eat at Din Tai Fung at least twice. "Oh, we're only in Dubai for 24 hours? This is where we are eating." Despite my raving review, It doesn't have the facade or the price range of a gourmet eatery. The restaurants are big, noisey and often located in a bustling mall. Until now, you can't make reservations. It's first come, first serve and you will be given a buzzer to take around the mall until it vibrates when they have space. But it is worth the wait; the dumplings and wontons are unmatched and I have never managed to find anything like them in Europe. Not even, I'm afraid, in their own Din Thai Fung London branches that opened a couple of years ago. I have tried almost everything on their extensive menu, and I have so far not been disappointed. Aside from the wontons and Xiao Long Baos (make sure to pierce these or you might burn yourselves with hot soup), among my favourites are the spicy cucumber, the sautéed spinach, the sweet and sour chicken and the Mongolian beef - careful, its very spicy! "