Din Tai Fung University Village: A Culinary Journey Through Taiwanese Excellence

Din Tai Fung, a world-renowned restaurant celebrated for its exquisite Taiwanese cuisine, has a location in Seattle's University Village that offers a dining experience shaped by tradition and crafted by hand. This article delves into the details of the Din Tai Fung University Village menu, exploring its signature dishes, seasonal offerings, and the overall dining experience.

Location and Hours of Operation

The Din Tai Fung restaurant is located at 2621 NE 46th St., Seattle, WA 98105. For those planning a visit, the hours of operation are as follows:

Monday: 11 AM - 9 PM
Tuesday: 11 AM - 9 PM
Wednesday: 11 AM - 9 PM
Thursday: 11 AM - 9 PM
Friday: 11 AM - 9:30 PM
Saturday: 11 AM - 9:30 PM
Sunday: 11 AM - 9 PM

For inquiries, the restaurant can be contacted at P. (206) 525-0958.

Crafted to Perfection: Private Dining

Din Tai Fung University Village offers a private dining experience. A full room that can accommodate up to 14 guests is available Monday through Thursday, with the last start time for lunch being 1 PM.

A Tradition of Luck in Every Envelope

Din Tai Fung celebrates Lunar New Year with a special gift. Guests dining in or ordering takeout receive a limited-edition red envelope containing a complimentary Soy Noodle Salad symbolizing longevity for the next visit. A Golden Ticket awaits the truly fortunate, granting exclusive VIP reservation access to any North American Din Tai Fung for a full year. This promotion is available at all Din Tai Fung locations, except for Las Vegas, while supplies last, and typically starts around February 10th.

The Menu: A Detailed Exploration

The Din Tai Fung menu is a carefully curated selection of Taiwanese dishes, each prepared with the highest quality ingredients. While Din Tai Fung offers vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free dishes, it is important to note that all items at their restaurants are prepared fresh using shared cooking equipment and facilities, and cross-contact with meat products and allergens may occur.

Appetizers

The appetizer selection at Din Tai Fung is designed to awaken the palate with a range of flavors and textures.

Cucumber Salad: Crisp Persian cucumbers are combined with mild fresno chili peppers and sliced fresh garlic, all tossed together with sesame oil and Din Tai Fung's signature chili oil.
Seaweed & Beancurd Salad: Crisp bean sprouts, smooth glass noodles, springy beancurd, and thin strips of seaweed are tossed in a traditional vinegar dressing. A light touch of Din Tai Fung's signature chili oil adds layers of flavor and texture.
Soy Noodle Salad: Thin sheets of tofu are carefully sliced to mimic noodles and tossed with julienned carrots and celery for a bit of crunch.
Wood Ear Mushrooms in a Vinegar Dressing: Nutrition-packed wood ear mushrooms are soaked in a special vinegar dressing until tender and juicy, then topped with goji berries and finely shredded ginger. Fragrant sesame oil and a splash of lemon juice bring sweet, tangy flavor.
Sweet & Sour Pork Baby Back Ribs: A classic Shanghainese appetizer, these fresh, tender baby back ribs are evenly coated with a house-made sweet and sour sauce.
Hot & Sour Soup (Pork): This thick soup is full of fresh ingredients, including sliced bamboo shoots, silky eggs, crunchy wood ear mushrooms, and buttery-soft tofu. Topped with fresh green onion and house seasoning, it’s perfect for any occasion. A vegetarian option is available upon request.
Steamed Soup with Bone-in Chicken: Choice cuts of chicken are steamed for hours with fresh ginger and green onion. This signature Din Tai Fung dish is light, but packs a rich aroma.
Steamed Soup with Bone-in Beef Short Ribs: A light and delicious steamed beef broth with tender slices of beef short ribs.

Xiao Long Bao (Soup Dumplings)

Din Tai Fung is most famous for its Xiao Long Bao, delicate soup dumplings filled with savory broth and meat.

Kurobuta Pork Xiao Long Bao: Each Xiao Long Bao is carefully weighed and folded by hand to achieve a signature Golden Ratio of 18 folds and stuffed with top-quality Kurobuta pork marinated in a blend of carefully selected seasonings.
Crab & Kurobuta Pork Xiao Long Bao: This twist on the traditional Xiao Long Bao is filled with juicy Kurobuta pork and crab. The pork’s rich flavor is enhanced by the natural sweetness of crab, for a seafood flavor that’s rich but mellow.
Chicken Xiao Long Bao: A classic reinvented, with fresh chicken, ground daily in-house, sweet notes of carrot, celery, and hints of aromatic ginger and green onion.
Truffle & Kurobuta Pork Xiao Long Bao: A signature Kurobuta Pork Xiao Long Bao is complemented by whole slices of rich truffle imported from Italy.

Caution: very hot broth.

Dumplings & Buns

Beyond Xiao Long Bao, Din Tai Fung offers a variety of other dumplings and buns.

Read also: History of the Block 'M'

Chicken Dumplings: Delicately hand-folded dumplings are filled with premium chicken and sweet onions.
Vegan Dumplings: Filled with a carefully balanced mixture of bean curd, baby bok choy, shiitake mushrooms, wood ear mushrooms, glass noodles, and jicama. Freshly squeezed spinach juice is rolled into a signature dumpling skin to give these savory dumplings their vibrant, verdant hue.
Cod Dumplings: Filled with a perfected ratio of Alaskan cod to Atlantic cod, these dumplings have a light, delicate flavor. Taiwanese cabbage, celery, and water chestnuts add extra springiness and crunch. Contains chicken broth.
Shrimp & Kurobuta Pork Dumplings: Freshly-peeled shrimp combine with high-quality Kurobuta pork for a taste and texture that are hard to beat.
Kimchi & Kurobuta Pork Dumplings: Authentic Korean kimchi, chives, and glass noodles are finely chopped and folded into a savory Kurobuta pork filling. Fresh kimchi juice is rolled into the dough, giving them their signature orange hue. Contains shellfish.
Shrimp & Kurobuta Pork Shao Mai: For this classic Shanghainese dish, the Shao Mai skin is made thicker than other dumpling skins to give a nice chewy texture, complementing a filling of signature Kurobuta pork. A single juicy shrimp tops it all off.
Sticky Rice Shao Mai with Kurobuta Pork & Mushroom: Savory sticky rice is seasoned with soy sauce, bits of earthy shiitake mushroom, and rich Kurobuta pork for full-bodied flavor in every bite.
Kurobuta Pork Buns: A signature Kurobuta pork filling is tucked into a soft, fluffy bun.
Chicken & Mushroom Buns: Premium chicken is carefully seasoned and mixed with chopped carrots, celery, and oyster mushrooms-all wrapped up in a fluffy bun.
Vegan Buns: This take on a classic fluffy bun is filled with bean curd, baby bok choy, shiitake mushrooms, wood ear mushrooms, glass noodles, and jicama.

Wontons

Shrimp & Kurobuta Pork Spicy Wontons: Served with a signature house spicy sauce and topped with garlic and green onion, these handmade wontons are a fan favorite.
Chicken Spicy Wontons: Served with a signature house spicy sauce and topped with garlic and green onion.
Vegetable & Kurobuta Pork Spicy Wontons: Served with a signature house spicy sauce and topped with garlic and green onion.
Vegan Spicy Wontons: Served with a signature house spicy sauce and topped with garlic and green onion, these handmade wontons are filled with a carefully balanced mixture of bean curd, baby bok choy, shiitake mushrooms, wood ear mushrooms, glass noodles, and jicama. Freshly squeezed spinach juice is rolled into the house-made dough to give these wontons their vibrant, verdant hue.
Shrimp & Kurobuta Pork Wonton Soup: Handmade wontons filled with premium Kurobuta pork, freshly-peeled shrimp, and savory house seasonings in a lightly-flavored chicken and pork broth. Garnished with green onion and a drizzle of sesame oil.
Chicken Wonton Soup: Handmade wontons filled with premium chicken, finely-diced celery, and savory house seasonings in a lightly-flavored chicken and pork broth. Garnished with green onion and a drizzle of sesame oil.
Vegetable & Kurobuta Pork Wonton Soup: Handmade wontons filled with premium Kurobuta pork, finely-diced bok choy, and savory house seasonings in a lightly-flavored chicken and pork broth. Garnished with green onion and a drizzle of sesame oil.
Vegan Wonton Soup: Handmade wontons filled with a carefully balanced mixture of bean curd, baby bok choy, shiitake mushrooms, wood ear mushrooms, glass noodles, and jicama served in a light, savory kombu broth. Freshly squeezed spinach juice is rolled into the house-made dough to give these wontons their vibrant, verdant hue. Garnished with green onion and a drizzle of sesame oil.

Greens

A selection of fresh, flavorful vegetable dishes.

String Beans with Garlic: Freshly-cut string beans are coated with minced garlic and tossed over high heat for a savory, umami-packed bite.
Broccoli with Garlic: This Vitamin C-packed supergreen is sautéed over high heat with freshly sliced garlic for simple, yet satisfying flavor and crunch.
Bok Choy with Scallion-Infused Oil: Hand-selected bok choy is lightly stir-fried over high heat with a signature green onion oil. Each step is timed precisely to ensure the bok choy is cooked through while keeping its fresh, crisp texture.
Spinach with Garlic: Fresh spinach is stir-fried with minced garlic and a house-made garlic-infused oil.
Taiwanese Cabbage with Garlic: Crisp, sweet Taiwanese cabbage is tossed over high heat with freshly sliced garlic.
Kale with Garlic: Fresh curly kale packs a superfood punch, stir-fried with thinly sliced garlic and a house-made garlic-infused oil.

Specialties

Shrimp & Kurobuta Pork Pot Stickers: Crispy, pan-fried dumplings filled with Kurobuta pork and fresh shrimp pair perfectly with a mildly-sweet, house-made pot sticker sauce.
Black Pepper Beef Tenderloin: Premium Angus beef tenderloin, shimeji mushrooms, assorted bell peppers, and onions seared together in a fiery wok and tossed in a house-made black pepper sauce. Contains shellfish.

Noodles

Noodles with Sesame Sauce: House-made thin egg noodles are coated in a nutty sesame sauce. Topped with a signature chili oil and crushed roasted peanuts. May contain peanuts. Freshly squeezed spinach juice is rolled into the house-made dough to give these noodles their vibrant, verdant hue. Coated in a signature house spicy sauce.
Noodles with Minced Kurobuta Pork: House-made thin egg noodles are topped with a savory mixture of minced Kurobuta pork sauteed with diced tomatoes, beancurd, chopped green onion, whole edamame, and sliced cucumber.
Noodles with Diced Beef & Szechuan Peppers: House-made thin egg noodles are topped with a spicy and herbaceous mixture of diced Angus chuck roast, tomato, beancurd, whole edamame, sliced cucumber, fresh cilantro, and Szechuan peppers.

Noodle Soups

Braised Beef Noodle Soup: With house-made egg noodles and hearty flavors, this soup is carefully cooked for hours to bring out its signature mildly spicy and aromatic flavors. Topped with blanched baby bok choy for a pop of color and crunch. Beef contains tendon.
Sliced Chicken Noodle Soup (Boneless): House-made egg noodles in a delicate chicken broth with tender slices of premium chicken breast. Cooked with bok choy, carrots, and sliced bamboo shoots.
Fried Pork Chop Noodle Soup: House-made egg noodles in a light, clear broth. Topped with slices of a signature Shanghainese-style fried pork chop.
Tofu Puff & Glass Noodle Soup: Chewy glass noodles in a light, clear broth. Topped with Kurobuta pork rolls, spongey tofu puffs, and green onion.

From the Wok

Chicken Fried Rice: Tender chicken, delicately-scrambled egg, freshly-chopped green onion, premium California-grown rice-plus a touch of salt and seasoning-are tossed together over high heat, enhancing the light flavors and carefully-selected textures.
Shrimp Fried Rice: Succulent shrimp, delicately-scrambled egg, freshly-chopped green onion, and premium California-grown rice are tossed together with a touch of salt and house seasoning over high heat.
Shredded Kurobuta Pork Fried Rice: Tender strips of marinated Kurobuta pork, delicately-scrambled egg, freshly-chopped green onion, premium California-grown rice, and a touch of salt and seasoning are tossed together over high heat. The light flavors and carefully-selected textures make it the perfect pairing for all of the other dishes.
Pork Chop Fried Rice: Perfectly seasoned and textured fried rice meets the irresistible aromas of fried eggs and freshly-chopped green onion. Topped with a signature Shanghainese-style fried pork cutlet that is crispy on the outside with a tender, juicy center.
Vegetable & Mushroom Fried Rice: This healthy twist on a traditional fried rice incorporates Taiwanese cabbage, shimeji mushroom, and corn. Stir-frying over high heat brings out the fresh flavors and textures.
Chicken Fried Noodles: Skillfully tossed in a wok over an open flame with fresh vegetables and tender strips of premium chicken, these stir-fried noodles burst with umami flavor. Served with crunchy napa cabbage, tender spinach leaves, and green onion-infused oil.
Shrimp Fried Noodles: Skillfully tossed in a wok over an open flame with fresh vegetables and succulent shrimp, these stir-fried noodles burst with umami flavor. Served with crunchy napa cabbage, tender spinach leaves, and green onion-infused oil.
Shredded Kurobuta Pork Fried Noodles: Skillfully tossed in a wok over an open flame with fresh vegetables and tender strips of premium Kurobuta pork, these stir-fried noodles burst with umami flavor. Served with crunchy napa cabbage, tender spinach leaves, and green onion-infused oil.
Vegetable Fried Noodles: Skillfully tossed in a wok over an open flame, house-made, stir-fried noodles burst with umami flavor. Served with crunchy napa cabbage, tender spinach leaves, and green onion-infused oil.
Shanghai Rice Cakes with Chicken: Chewy rice ovalettes are sauteed with premium chicken, crunchy cabbage, fresh spinach, and a blend of soy sauce and house seasonings. Available at select locations.
Shanghai Rice Cakes with Shrimp: Chewy rice ovalettes are sauteed with freshly-peeled shrimp, crunchy cabbage, fresh spinach, and a blend of soy sauce and house seasonings. Available at select locations.
Shanghai Rice Cakes with Shredded Kurobuta Pork: Chewy rice ovalettes are sauteed with premium shredded Kurobuta pork, crunchy cabbage, fresh spinach, and a blend of soy sauce and house seasonings. Available at select locations.
Vegan Shanghai Rice Cakes: Chewy rice ovalettes are sauteed with a healthy portion of crunchy cabbage, fresh spinach, and a blend of soy sauce and house seasonings. Available at select locations.

A La Carte

Fried Pork Chop: Each pork chop cutlet is fried to perfection and garnished with freshly ground coarse pepper. Golden on the outside, juicy on the inside.
Kurobuta Pork Sticky Rice Wrap: Locally-grown sticky rice stuffed with stewed Kurobuta pork belly, wrapped in bamboo leaves. A traditional dish that's hard to pass up.

Signature Cocktails

Pear Lychee Martini - 2oz: Grey Goose La Poire Vodka, St-Germain, fresh lemon juice, and lychee fruit.
Lychee Mojito - 2.5oz: Bacardi Light Rum, lychee liqueur, fresh lime juice, and mint.
Yuzu Margarita

Additional Information

Din Tai Fung offers gift cards, which are a perfect choice for any occasion. The restaurant also believes in nurturing talent from within, offering a collaborative culture, excellent benefits, and abundant opportunities for learning and growth. Their goal is to provide a career that not only enhances your life but also helps you thrive.

Read also: Legacy of Fordham University

tags: #din #tai #fung #university #village #menu