Think fast: where’s the first place you think of when you’re craving for some yummy xiao long bao?
If you answered Din Tai Fung, we sure have some exciting news for you. The widely popular Taiwanese restaurant has opened its newest outlet at Velocity @ Novena Square with all your favourite dishes as well as a special array of breakfast items — yes, you read that right!
Din Tai Fung’s new outlet at Novena will be the restaurant’s first outlet to serve breakfast. Corporate gurlies and men in finance working around the Novena area, consider yourselves blessed.
On the menu are all your favourite Din Tai Fung classics like their signature xiao long baos, handmade noodles, mouth-water appetisers and more! But, if you’re headed down here, make sure to give their all-new outlet-exclusive breakfast menu items a go!
One of my favourites on the menu is the Purple Sweet Potato Steam Bun (from S$2.50). It comprises a smooth and rich sweet potato filling encased in a pillowy soft steamed bun. It’s kinda like a red bean paste bun, but less sweet and cloying.
I absolutely love the sweet potato filling. It’s earthy, lightly sweet and very fragrant. There’s even bits of sweet potato inside — so you know it’s made using real stuff. I can definitely see myself having this for breakfast.
They also have a Steamed Butter Bun (from S$2.80) which has a very nostalgic flavour that reminds me of the traditional butter sugar toast I used to enjoy as a child. I love the creamy and buttery custard filling which complements well with the crushed rock sugar, without being overly sweet.
The bun is best enjoyed hot, although you might wanna be careful as the filling might “explode” as you are biting into it.
For something a little more rich and decadent, the Steamed Chocolate Bun (from S$2.80) will be right up your alley. Personally this one was a little too sweet for my liking, but those with a sweet tooth might enjoy this. If you’re in need for something sugary to kickstart your morning, this one is right up your alley.
Also new to Din Tai Fung, and an exclusive item on the menu here are the Pan Fried Buns. They come in four flavours — Pork (from S$3.20), Chilli Crab and Pork (from S$3.90), Shrimp and Pork (from S$3.50), and Cabbage and Pork (from S$3.20).
The buns are steamed before being seared at the bottom, giving them a nice golden crisp, while still maintaining a soft fluffy top. We love textures in our food and this one ticks all the right boxes — crispy, juicy, flavourful and soft with every bite.
My personal favourite is the Cabbage and Pork — a classic combination that can do no wrong. I love the contrasting texture of the tender pork and the subtle crunch from the cabbage. The fluffy bun adds a touch of sweetness, which helped to balance out the rich and savoury flavours.
The restaurant is also releasing two quintessential breakfast beverages — Fresh Soya Milk and Brewed Barley Drink. They also have breakfast bundles starting from S$8.90 which entitles you to a choice of two steamed or pan fried buns, along with a choice of beverage.
For mains, Din Tai Fung Novena is unveiling a new noodle dish — Dry Noodle Tossed in Scallion Oil with Shredded Pork (S$11.80). It comprises chewy noodles coated in a sweet and savoury sauce — kinda like dry ban mian.
But the real star of the show here is the scallion oil, paired with the shallots and noodles, which made the dish super addictive and aromatic. Spring onion lovers will absolutely devour this dish in a heartbeat.
Currently this dish is only available at the Novena outlet, but I’m pretty sure it’ll be made available in all outlets in no time!
There’s always room for desserts, regardless of the time of day. The Steamed Lava Chocolate Cake Xiao Long Bao (from S$10.90) is perfect for dessert. It comprises molten chocolate wrapped in the iconic xiao long bao skin — like a chocolate mochi of sorts.
It comes in a set of six and we recommend sharing it as it can get very jelak after a while. But, we can definitely see the young ones thoroughly enjoying this for sure.
As someone who typically skips breakfast, this breakfast menu lineup got me thinking if I should wake up a little earlier just so I can grab some buns before heading to work. Novena dwellers, you guys are so lucky to have this available at your doorstep.
Anyone up for a breakfast run?
Din Tai Fung
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📍 238 Thomson Road, Novena Square #01-05, Singapore 307683
🕑 8am–9pm (Mon to Thu), 8am–9.30pm (Friday), 10am–9.30pm (Sat & Sun)
Photos by Marcus Leong
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