For whomever flamed Din Tai Fung, I’m amused how you explain you haven’t an opinion (or clue), so you try to borrow a clue from your few asian friends…to what? To pretend on here like you have clue?

The NYT ranks Din Tai Fung as one of the Top Ten restaurants in the world.

That’s an exceptional ranking, but I didn’t form my opinion from that. A month after I heard rumor of Din Tai Fung, I found myself in China in a room full of Chinese businessmen, who travel internationally and know their restaurants. In response to my asking “Anyone know this Din Tai Fung restaurant” I had a roomful of Chinese turn round in unison and say, “Best Xiaolongbao IN THE WORLD”

Then I personally went to the Beijing location of Din Tai Fung, with a group of Asian friends.

I was stunned at how exceptionally great is the food at Din Tai Fung, and the service, and the decor.

I travel so much on business to Asia, I believe I have eaten in probably over five hundred different Chinese restaurants across Asia, from Taiwan, to HK, to mainland China. I rank Din Tai Fung in the Top Five Chinese restaurants that I’ve ever dined at, over my entire life.