Happy Xiaolongbao Day! Din Tai Fung’s annual week-long celebration is back, and this time they’re dropping new, limited-edition “Flavors of Asia” xiaolongbao baskets—Wagyu Mala and Scallop and Prawn Laksa.

I brought my family to Din Tai Fung in Manila to give the new flavors a try.

 

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We started with the Scallop and Prawn Laksa, inspired by one of my favorite Southeast Asian noodle dishes. The xiaolongbao is filled with a rich broth enhanced by spicy sambal sauce and sweet coconut, with bits of fresh scallop and prawn. While I prefer the creamier Singaporean version of the laksa, this bao reminds me more of the original Malaysian version.

Next was the Wagyu Mala. This xiaolongbao is filled with umami broth and a ground version of the famous Japanese wagyu beef with hints of cinnamon and star anise, plus lots of Sichuan peppercorn that made it hotter than the laksa.

My family’s verdict: We liked both, but as fans of Singaporean cuisine, the Scallop and Prawn Laksa stood out for us. After our fill of xiaolongbao, we proceeded to order our all-time favorites DTF dishes—hot prawn and mango salad, stir-fried watercress, sweet and sour chicken, and shrimp fried rice.

A note for those with peanut allergy: the limited-edition xiaolongbao flavors have peanuts in the ingredients (we asked!). While my nephew is a fan of xiaolongbao, he’s allergic to peanuts and couldn’t try the new flavors. He went for his favorite instead—the classic pork xiaolongbao in a 10-piece basket all for himself.

The new xiaolongbao flavors are available in 3-piece and 5-piece baskets, exclusively for dine-in at all Din Tai Fung restaurants all over Manila, Philippines, from October 23 to 29, 2024 only.