Din Tai Fung

Din Tai Fung is a Taiwanese restaurant, but don’t hold it against it. Their versions of Chinese sandwiches (dumplings, noodles, steamed rolls, and simple vegetarian dishes) are as impeccable as their well-trained service. Of course, you pay for all this luxury. The basket of DTF’s excellent Xiaolongbao, whose delicate folds (always exactly 18), translucent leather, and remarkable texture make them the best in Shanghai, costs about ten times more than the stalls in the streets. As always crowded restaurants show, a high standard is often worth it.