Work Begins on the Multi-Million Dollar Soup Dumpling Specialist Din Tai Fung on the Strip

Boldly promising a summer debut for its highly respected Taiwanese dumpling and noodle menu, global brand Din Tai Fung has budgeted a pricey makeover for its 14th American restaurant, now under construction at Aria.

Replacing Aria Cafe, once known as the largest 24-hour café on the Strip, Din Tai Fung will fill 5,580 square feet and take advantage of the cafe’s huge, tilted windows looking out onto Nancy Rubins’ Big Edge canoe sculpture and Vdara.

Allocating an early estimated $2.2 million in construction costs alone, much of the cafe’s interior furnishings remain in place before the remodel of the dining room and an open kitchen to allow diners to view the preparation of xiao long bao, steamed pork soup dumplings, precisely made with 18 “lucky” folds, 16 grams of meat, and 5 grams of dough.

Expanding since 1958 to more than 170 locations across 13 countries, in Los Angeles diners grew accustomed to waiting 90 minutes for a table, a delay that will be alleviated by the size of the Las Vegas restaurant.

In Las Vegas, diners can expect a menu featuring shao mai, pot stickers, noodle soups, fried Shanghai-style crispy fried pork chops, wontons with shrimp and pork, pork buns, and xiao long bao desserts.

• Expect Long Lines When Soup Dumpling Specialist Din Tai Fung Opens on the Strip [ELV]

• All Coverage of Aria [ELV]