Just Open: Din Tai Fung, Emporium Melbourne

Din Tai Fung, the dumpling-restaurant chain with humble beginnings reaching back to Taipei, 1972, opened the doors to its first Melbourne outlet on Monday. The 235-seater, perched on the fourth-level of Emporium, joins the growing Din Tai Fung family that has seven outlets in Sydney and more throughout Asia.

Try the signature xiao long bao soup dumplings, which are made with mathematical precision and feature no less than 18 folds.

Beyond xiao long bao, go for dumplings in unexpected colours (red, blue and yellow) with non-traditional fillings, as well as non-dumpling dishes like silken tofu with pork floss or Shanghai drunken chicken.

On the drinks list, some big names like St Hallett and Brown Brothers buddy-up with local heroes like Farr Rising and Jamsheed, plus craft beers from Two Birds and Red Hill Brewery.

Open Mon-Wed 11.30am-2.30pm, 5.30pm-9pm; Thu-Fri 11.30am-2.30pm, 5pm-10pm; Sat 11am-3pm, 5pm-10pm; Sun 11am-3pm, 5pm-9pm.

Din Tai Fung, level 4, Emporium, 287 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, 9654 1876, dintaifung.com.au