Two iconic SoCal purveyors of long waits and best-in-class hospitality are joining forces: Disneyland and Din Tai Fung.
Though there’s no official opening date, the Downtown Disney shopping district (situated just outside the actual theme park) will soon reveal a new Anaheim outpost of the Taiwanese restaurant group. The arrival of the xiaolongbao specialist is easily the splashiest addition to the Disneyland food scene in ages.
Along with a larger global presence, Din Tai Fung has several locations throughout Los Angeles and Orange Counties. The consistently excellent chain is known for its handcrafted soup dumplings and other family-style Taiwanese staples—as well as for its extreme busyness from open to close.
Along with Din Tai Fung, Disney also announced the opening of a few other eateries (as well as a Pixar-themed hotel) via its parks blog. The additions come as part of a mid-century-inspired makeover of the west end of Downtown Disney that’s looking to diversify the array of cuisines on offer. Two new Mexican restaurants named Paseo and Centrico are coming, courtesy of chef Carlos Gaytán, whose Tzuco and now-closed Mexique in Chicago once earned Michelin stars (those will land in the former Uva Bar & Cafe space). The pre-existing Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen will refresh its New Orleans-inspired menu, while onetime brick-and-mortar Earl of Sandwich will reopen as a walk-up shop later this year.
The only question we have is: Will there be any Disney-themed specialty dishes? Mickey Mouse dessert buns, perhaps?