Din Tai Fung ION Orchard Opens With Exclusive Dishes and a Nod to Its Taipei Roots

Din Tai Fung has opened a new restaurant at ION Orchard, but this outlet is doing more than simply adding another location to its Singapore network. The 100-seat space takes inspiration from the brand’s beginnings in Taipei, while introducing two dishes that are exclusive to the Orchard Road restaurant.

Opened on 29 August 2026 at Basement 4 of ION Orchard, the 3,000-square-foot restaurant references Din Tai Fung’s original shop on Xinyi Road, where the business began long before xiao long bao became its calling card.

From cooking oil to xiao long bao

Din Tai Fung traces its roots to 1958, when founder Yang Bing-Yi opened a cooking oil shop in Taipei. As demand for cooking oil declined in the early 1970s, he began selling xiao long bao from half of the premises. What started as a side business eventually became the focus of the brand.

That history has been worked into the design of the new ION Orchard outlet. A heritage wall charts Din Tai Fung’s development from its oil shop beginnings to its present-day international footprint, while a replica of the original “Din Tai Fung Oil Retail” signboard has also been installed. It is the first time this signboard has been recreated for a Din Tai Fung restaurant in Singapore.

Two dishes exclusive to Din Tai Fung ION Orchard

The opening also brings two dishes that can only be ordered at this branch.

Exclusive wanton dishes at Din Tai Fung ION Orchard

Noodles with Shrimp & Pork Wantons in Peanut Sesame Sauce (S$14.80) combines springy noodles with hand-wrapped shrimp and pork wantons in a peanut sesame sauce. The dish takes its cue from everyday Taiwanese home cooking, with the nutty sauce giving the noodles a richer, more substantial finish.

For those who prefer something with more heat, the Shrimp & Pork Wantons in Spicy Sauce (S$12.80) pair the same shrimp-and-pork filling with a spicy sauce intended to bring more warmth and depth to the dish.

Both sit alongside Din Tai Fung’s regular menu, including its signature Steamed Pork Xiao Long Bao, which are finished with the brand’s familiar 18 folds.

A limited-edition Bao Zai pouch

Diners who spend at least S$80 (before GST and service charge) at the ION Orchard restaurant can also receive a limited-edition Bao Zai pouch while stocks last.

Din Tai Fung limited-edition Bao Zai pouch

The dumpling-shaped pouch features the Bao Zai character on the front and a card holder on the back, with a loop that allows it to be attached to a bag.

Din Tai Fung Singapore debuts its first local brand film

The ION Orchard opening also coincides with the release of Din Tai Fung Singapore’s first locally produced brand film since the restaurant entered the Singapore market. The 60-second film focuses on the brand’s emphasis on consistency, precision and service, tying the new restaurant’s heritage-inspired concept back to the values Din Tai Fung says have shaped its operations over the decades.

For diners, however, the strongest reason to choose this outlet over another Din Tai Fung may simply be the two ION Orchard-exclusive wanton dishes — especially if you are already in the area and want to try something that is not available elsewhere.