Taiwanese Restaurants near Santa Monica, CA

“Really love this place - they have a location in playa vista too. We shared the tofu seaweed salad which was amazinggggg. Then I got the dan Dan noodles (photo included) - a little small in portion but really fresh, great flavor to the sauce. Finished the meal with the veggie steamed dumplings.“

“Booths in the sort-of shape of basket steamers, a glassed-in performance kitchen and an authentic" way of eating the dumplings (poke a hole and suck out the liquid first --not at all like the inviting Arcadia location a Chinese-American food friend introduced me to a decade ago.

So it's really helpful to know before you go into this slicked up version of Din Ti Fung to consider it more a tribute to the concept of meticulous almost machine-like dumpling making in Taipei, Taiwan by original owners Bing-Yi Yang and wife than a replica.
Wish I had known!

The first week of the hard opening on a rainy day, with plenty of empty tables, this place at the far west side of Santa Monica Place had plenty of empty tables at the end of lunch hour. The outside guard waved us in and the Chinese-American manager acted as though we had come last minute to the Met Gala. (Bowen Yang would do a GREAT skit using him as a role model). Already so not in the spirit of the founders. Even the name: Din ("wok" Tai ("peace of "safe") Fung ("abundance" "plentiful")

It all got sorted out with bar seating and one of the majority American servers who recites the menu and manner of eating the dishes like a Disney guide pro. He also gave us a business-like account of the business end expectations at this place.

Yes, Kurugbuta pork is used in the xialongbao and other dishes, meticulously prepared -- and you can see this in the machine-like precision of the performance kitchen.

Much more expensive than the original location, and with the same customer frenzy as at Century City, I'll wait to go back to Arcadia.

Vegetarian options: spinach that was well prepared and super expensive for one dish of it.“

“best Boba and coffee beverages!! not super sweet... staff always friendly and the shop is beyond immaculate“

“Very nice good location and parkig“

“I sampled their famous xiao long bao, delicious dumplings, savory fried rice and garlic string beans. Each dish was a taste experience, from the delicious dumplings in broth to the perfectly seasoned fried rice. The service is great and the atmosphere is inviting. Don't miss this place for authentic Taiwanese cuisine and unforgettable flavors. It has the taste of home.“

“Great local place with good food.“

“What incredible service from Zander. On New Year’s Day with the restaurant completely packed he made some magic happen and got me and my girlfriend a table for our anniversary. It doesn’t stop there! The service through out the whole dinner was incredible with recommendations and check ins. The ambiance as well was awesome with modern vibes and music going. We had the xiao long bao, chicken fried rice, and three cup chicken and oh my god was it incredible.“

“My wife and I ate here on a whim, and it did not disappoint. We were on a time crunch so we decided to takeout. The three cup chicken and short rib dan mein were big hits in our house. Dumplings were also excellent. We look forward to dining at the restaurant again! Keep up the good work!

Parking: Parking is more than sufficient as it is shared with the shopping plaza.“

“delicious amazing boba so many flavors yum! hazelnut is my favorite its soooooo good“

“The slushies are good & refreshing and the Taiyaki are hot off the press and yummy!!! 😋😋😋“