Din Tai Fung, one of the newest restaurants opening at Downtown Disney, is set to hold a soft opening on June 24, theme park resort officials announced Friday.
According to officials with Din Tai Fung, a limited menu will be offered during the soft opening, which runs from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday. Reservations for it can be made here.
The official grand opening is slated for July.
Din Tai Fung, a global restaurant company known for the art of Xiao Long Bao (soup dumplings) and noodles, will be opening its first stand-alone restaurant at Disney’s outdoor shopping and dining district.
Din Tai Fung have plenty of locations throughout Southern California, including in Torrance, San Diego and Costa Mesa, but those are typically located within malls or other shopping plazas.
“The new restaurant’s exterior is a dramatic, contemporary take on a traditional Chinese pavilion rooftop structure. A suspended, beaded installation over the circular central bar greets guests upon entering the restaurant, with traditional-style Chinese pendants softly illuminating the space. An expo kitchen will serve as a backdrop, inviting guests to witness the artistry behind the dumpling-making process firsthand,” a Disney Parks Blog said.
In celebration of the new restaurant, Din Tai Fung released its first-ever merchandise line, complete with tees, hats, sweatshirts, hoodies, and accessories, all themed to the popular Taiwan-based chain.
The new merch will only be available at the chain’s Downtown Disney location.
The new Din Tai Fung location comes as Disney revamps its outdoor shopping mall.
During an OC Forum event last year, Disneyland Resort president Ken Potrock said the Downtown Disney transformation would take 18 months to complete. The 18-month timeline means officials hope to complete construction shortly before Thanksgiving.
