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Podcasts Take Two
Dumpling house Din Tai Fung expands to Glendale, Costa Mesa
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Sep 4, 2013
Listen • 2:30
Dumpling house Din Tai Fung expands to Glendale, Costa Mesa
Din Tai Fung will open a new restaurant in Glendale in October. The restaurant says it will expand its audience, in a city that is mostly white.
Cooks make pork and shrimp shumai dumplings at Din Tai Fung Dumpling House in Arcadia on Aug. 16. Soon, the restaurant will expand to Glendale and Costa Mesa.
Cooks make pork and shrimp shumai dumplings at Din Tai Fung Dumpling House in Arcadia on Aug. 16. Soon, the restaurant will expand to Glendale and Costa Mesa.
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Maya Sugarman/KPCC
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The dough for pork and shrimp shumai dumplings is flattened into a circle, then coated with flower. A utensil adds the wavy texture to the dough before it is filled with meat.
The dough for pork and shrimp shumai dumplings is flattened into a circle, then coated with flower. A utensil adds the wavy texture to the dough before it is filled with meat.
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Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
The restaurant’s specialty is xiaolongbao, a juicy pork dumpling that shoots out bursts of flavorful broth with every bite.
The restaurant’s specialty is xiaolongbao, a juicy pork dumpling that shoots out bursts of flavorful broth with every bite.
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Maya Sugarman/KPCC
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Justin Quan, a student at UC Irvine, tries Din Tai Fung's soup dumplings in Arcadia for the first time on Aug. 16.
Justin Quan, a student at UC Irvine, tries Din Tai Fung's soup dumplings in Arcadia for the first time on Aug. 16.
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Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
Frank Yang runs the Din Tai Fung restaurants in the U.S. The dumping house is a family business, started by Yang's father, Bingyi. In 1958, Bungyi Yang started his own peanut oil company in Taipei, called Din Tai Fung. But in the late 1960's, peanut oil business dwindled.
Frank Yang runs the Din Tai Fung restaurants in the U.S. The dumping house is a family business, started by Yang's father, Bingyi. In 1958, Bungyi Yang started his own peanut oil company in Taipei, called Din Tai Fung. But in the late 1960's, peanut oil business dwindled.
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Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
Waitresses serve milk tea at the Din Tai Fung Dumpling House in Arcadia. The new location will open at the Americana in Glendale later this year.
Waitresses serve milk tea at the Din Tai Fung Dumpling House in Arcadia. The new location will open at the Americana in Glendale later this year.
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Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
Albert and Aaron Yang, sons of Frank Yang, help out at the Arcadia dumpling house.
Albert and Aaron Yang, sons of Frank Yang, help out at the Arcadia dumpling house.
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Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
Justin Quan eats a noodle dish during lunch with his mother. At right, the Chinese charters for "Din Tai Fung."
Justin Quan eats a noodle dish during lunch with his mother. At left, the Chinese charters for "Din Tai Fung."
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Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
Spicy wonton at Din Tai Fung Dumpling House in Arcadia.
Spicy wonton at Din Tai Fung Dumpling House in Arcadia.
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Maya Sugarman/KPCC
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Traditional xiaolongbao pork soup dumpling at Din Tai Fung Dumpling House in Arcadia.
Traditional xiaolongbao pork soup dumpling at Din Tai Fung Dumpling House in Arcadia.
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Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
Traditional xiaolongbao pork soup dumplings at Din Tai Fung Dumpling House in Arcadia.
Traditional xiaolongbao pork soup dumplings at Din Tai Fung Dumpling House in Arcadia.
(
Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
Aaron Yang buses tables during lunchtime at Din Tai Fung Dumpling House in Arcadia on a Friday. Yang is a student at Cornell, and helps out during the summer.
Aaron Yang buses tables during lunchtime at Din Tai Fung Dumpling House in Arcadia on a Friday. Yang is a student at Cornell, and helps out during the summer.
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Albert Yang takes down an order from a customer. Frank's sons will eventually help run the family business.
Albert Yang takes down an order from a customer. Frank's sons will eventually help run the family business.
(
Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
A waiter takes orders from the kitchen. Din Tai Fung has 80 stores worldwide in countries like Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and even Austrailia.
A waiter takes orders from the kitchen. Din Tai Fung has 80 stores worldwide in countries like Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and even Austrailia.
(
Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)

Din Tai Fung will open a new restaurant in Glendale in October. The restaurant says it will expand its audience, in a city that is mostly white.

Asian restaurants headquartered overseas are expanding into Southern California. Their growth is fueled by an increasing Asian American population that wants a taste of home.

Taiwan-based dumpling house, Din Tai Fung, is the latest example of this trend. KPCC's business reporter Wendy Lee brings us this profile.