Din Tai Fung comes to town

It's about time we got good dumplings in the city. As a CBD rat racer, I've been bemoaning the fact that you can't get dumplings in the city for a while now, and have even trekked down to World Square a few times for my dumpling fix.

Din Tai Fung Dumpling Bar, Level 5, Westfield Sydney

My heel tips have now been saved by the opening of an express Din Tai Fung in the second stage of Westfield Sydney's Level 5 food court.

Din Tai Fung xiao long bao masters

Serving an abridged menu of the world renowned dumplings and more substantial dishes, Din Tai Fung has quickly become a new shining star in a food court of megastars (think the relocated Becasse and new Quarter Twenty One restaurant, providore, cooking school and Becasse Bakery by Justin North, Sassy's Red by Chinta Ria, Thairiffic and more; not to forget Australia's first Zara downstairs).

Shrimp and pork wonton in spicy sauce

Servings, of dumplings at least, are smaller than the World Square DTF outlet and the prices are befitting of its new surroundings, I guess. The xiao long bao obviously made it to the menu, as too my favourite prawn and pork wontons in spicy sauce. Same chewy pastry, same sweet and spicy sauce.

Hot and sour soup

The hot and sour soup is great value at $3.80, perfect as a warming starter as the mercury drops. It features strips of sliky tofu that I don't remember from the restaurant, with the same sour and spicy flavours that really excite the tastebuds.

Drinks and desserts

Some of the drinks and desserts from the restaurant have also made it to the shiny Westfield Sydney food court, including the popular lychee and mint 'juice' and the avocado 'juice' sampled here.

Mango pudding

The smallish mango puddding serve has more mango bits and flavour than some yum cha versions can dream of; somewhat justifying the relatively high price tag. It's a nice cooling sweet after some too liberal use of the roasted chilli oil on the dumplings.

Level 5 food court, Westfield Sydney

With the extension of the Level 5 food court at least doubling what it was before, shoppers and nearby office workers are truly spoilt for choice when it comes to the humble lunch. And while you certainly pay for the luxury, you're also rewarded with lots of seating and pretty tree features - to pretend you've been outdoors perhaps?

I'm keen to try out a few more of the new places, but can say I'm genuinely glad that Din Tai Fung has made it to town.