World-renowned Taiwanese restaurant Din Tai Fung is expanding into the Downtown Disney District in Anaheim, located at 1580 Disneyland Dr.
The new location, the company’s eighth in California, is part of a significant redevelopment of the shopping district between Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure. The revamp includes an Earl of Sandwich walk-up site, an evolution of Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen, and two new restaurants from Michelin-level Chicago chef Carlos Gaytán, Paseo and Centrico, replacing Patina Group’s Catal and Uva Bar, respectively. Disney has been working on the area since 2018, but announced these new tenants earlier this year.
The restaurant scene isn’t the only part of Downtown Disney getting a makeover. The area’s west end will feature an open lawn for relaxation and future events. Guests can expect a beautiful blend of vibrant color palettes, design elements, and patterns influenced by Southern California’s mid-century modern architecture. Disney did not announce an opening date for the new projects.
Din Tai Fung started in 1958 as a mom-and-pop shop by Yang Bing Yi and Lai Penmei. The two started business as a cooking oil retailer before the product became widespread around 1970. To survive, they started selling xiaolongbao, otherwise known as steamed buns. These became a staple for the half-restaurant, leading the couple to convert into a full-fledged restaurant in 1972. Now the company is run by CEO Yang Ji Hua, the eldest son of the founders, and has more than 170 locations around the globe.
Boy, I really hope they are not bringing “Dumpings” to Downtown Disney (see typo in article title). :0