Din Tai Fung, but make it bougie. That’s what this newest outlet of the cult-favourite Taiwanese chain is all about. Din Tai Fung at Resorts World Sentosa’s new Weave mall is now open, and this marks the brand’s 28th store in Singapore. Not only does it boast Asia’s first Din Tai Fung cocktail bar, the restaurant also offers an exclusive menu with premium items like lobster noodles and Oscietre caviar for pairing with its signature xiao long bao. Here’s a quick look at what to expect at its latest outlet in Sentosa.
The space
Din Tai Fung at Weave seats about 250 customers, and this is its second-largest outlet in Singapore after the one in Paragon Shopping Centre. At the entrance, you’ll spot the iconic open kitchen with glass windows, where you can watch chefs skillfully prepare baskets of xiao long bao. It’s also here where the restaurant will introduce new hands-on experiences like xiao long bao-making workshops.
Following that is an elegant cocktail and tea counter that fits about 10 guests. To add to the experience, there’s a dedicated retail space selling merchandise from Taiwan, pineapple cakes and some of the brand’s ready-to-heat products. There are three main dining areas in the restaurant, with one in particular that overlooks the new Singapore Oceanarium. There are also two private rooms for customers dining in bigger groups.
The food
Yes, you can still get your usual fix of Din Tai Fung’s oriental salad, dried scallion noodles and steamed pork xiao long bao, but the stars on the Weave menu are the outlet-exclusive items that add a touch of luxury to the whole experience. The Boston lobster with dry noodles tossed in special seafood sauce ($39.80) is one example – the chunks of lobster are springy and tender, and you’re meant to break apart the onsen egg and mix it into the noodles for a creamier, silkier texture.
For the first time in Singapore, Din Tai Fung is offering Oscietre caviar at $90 for 30 grams or $160 for 50 grams. This is meant for pairing with xiao long bao, whether you’re in the mood for the classic steamed pork (from $12.30 for six), or want to spice it up with dumplings stuffed with chilli crab (from $14.80 for four) or beef tenderloin (from $18 for six) instead. Our verdict? Maybe leave xiao long bao alone. But if you just made bank at the nearby casino, why not?
Desserts turn out to be a pleasant surprise – the honey chocolate buns ($4.20 each) might just become a permanent fixture on our order chits after this, except that these parcels oozing molten chocolate are exclusive to the outlet. Other table favourites include the steamed coconut yuzu bun ($3 each) and steamed kaya bun ($3 each), also only available on the Weave menu.
The drinks
Set aside some time for a drink by the classy marble cocktail counter before or after your meal. You can also order these to enjoy at your table. The bar offers a curated trio of signature cocktails aptly named Din, Tai and Fung ($30 each). It’s a tad gimmicky – and not to mention pricey – with each tipple finished off with a dusting of the drink’s corresponding Chinese characters. But for what it is, the gin-based Din cocktail is delightfully smooth, with floral, fruity notes from homemade jasmine syrup, lychee juice, strawberry purée and lemon juice.
Meanwhile, Tai features Patrón Silver Tequila, fresh pineapple, lime juice and honey for a more tropical slant, while Fung is a boozier blend of Bacardi spiced rum, Calvados, homemade lemongrass and ginger syrup, and a touch of ginger beer. If none of these catch your eye, there are eight other classic cocktails (from $24) on the menu, from negronis to yuzu sours. Pair these with bar bites like Taiwanese fried chicken ($9.80) or battered squid ($11.80), and keep an eye out for the branch’s upcoming cocktail pairing sessions.
Over at the tea counter, there are nine options on the permanent artisanal tea collection (from $12 for a single serving or $14 to share) and three seasonal teas, which are switched up quarterly. We sip on the osmanthus red tea, described as floral with hints of dried longan and caramel, as well as the rose rock oolong tea, which has a stronger roasted profile. Each tea set comes with a side of Din Tai Fung’s pineapple cake or an assortment of Japanese rice crackers. Currently, the tea bar seats four people and only takes walk-ins for its tea etiquette sessions.
Din Tai Fung at Weave, Resorts World Sentosa is located at 26 Sentosa Gateway, #02-208, Singapore 098138.
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