DIN TAI FUNG
The obvious mention: Din Tai Fung is a global dumpling powerhouse with two restaurants located right next to each other just in the San Gabriel Valley alone. Unlike many of the mom-and-pop dumpling houses in the area, they not only make great dumplings with a thin skin and a juicy flavor-packed filling, but they also understand how to craft a fine dining experience accessible to the uninitiated. Once you walk in through the door, you´re greeted with a view of the kitchen, with the chefs handcrafting the delectable dumplings you´re about to nosh on. There are a large variety of dumplings-including the exquisite truffle and pork xiao long bao-and they even have sweet dessert dumplings. Although there are polarizing views about Din Tai Fung, you have to give credit where credit is due.