Living in a place like Shanghai, Chinese Restaurants are obviously abundantly found. However finding a Chinese restaurant with proper 1st-world customer service, cleanliness, hygiene and off course, healthy cooking style is a challenge. Having been guinea-pigging around restaurants in Shanghai, Ding Tai Fung rocketed to my number one choice.

The ambiance of Yu Yuan’s Ding Tai Fung is wonderful. It’s an absolute escapade from the hustle and bustle of the Shanghai City. I find the wall with Caricature drawings of Asian artists intriguing and simply, cute.

Being exceptionally picky on food, I appall and reject greasy, and salty food. Ironically the Shanghainese taste-buds are made in such to sense “greasy” and “salty” and sends the “TASTY” signal to the brains. Here at Ding Tai Fung, (God bless the founder) Chinese Food are served, according to what I define as appropriate standards.

The Cold Dish

Here in Shanghai, Appetizers are referred to as Cold Dishes. This Sauteed Chicken dish is like the ol’ Hainan White Chicken we would have with Chicken Rice.

The Steamed Dumplings

Xiao Long Bao – A must not miss dish when you are in Shanghai. These Xiao Long Bao are often served with either Pork fillings or Pork and Crab Fillings.

Vegetable Mushroom Dumplings – This dish was rather refreshing as all contained within were healthy Vegetables and Mushrooms. The dumplings were steamed. Grease and Fats, Be gone!

Prawn Dumbpings – This dish tastes similar to that of the Xiao Long Bao. The only difference was each of the dumplings were “enthroned” with a shrimp. Being a shrimp lover, the shrimps were really juicy and fresh.

Glutinous Rice – Also known as “Zong zi”, this Chinese delicacy is layered pork meat, embedded in glutinous rice. This glutinous rice is steamed while being wrapped in pandan leaf.

The Desserts

Mango Ice Shaving – This ice shaving was one of the best ice shaving I’ve ever had. The Mangoes were really fresh, and every bite of the ice shavings had real fruity mango flavor.

Peanuts and Red Beans Ice Shavings – This ice shaving was also good, but the Mango one would overshadow this ice shaving. This was simply because this Ice Shaving’s evaporated milk’s taste was dominant and the Beans’ and peanuts’ tastes were not prominent. Tasted more like Condense milk with Ice Shavings!

I am well aware that there are other Ding Tai Fung outlets in Malaysia and Singapore as well. Do tell us how are their dishes different. x