TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's internationally renowned restaurant chain Din Tai Fung (鼎泰豐) announced on Wednesday (June 12) a price increase across 80% of its menu items, including its iconic dishes such as xiaolongbao, shrimp fried rice, appetizers, and spicy wontons in red oil. The average price hike is 6%.
The most significant price adjustment is seen in the appetizers, witnessing a 20% increase from NT$100 to NT$120. Din Tai Fung stated that the hike was primarily due to the continual increase in operational costs, particularly labor costs. The company emphasized its commitment to maintaining high-quality service and food, necessitating the price adjustment.
The last time Din Tai Fung raised its prices was in November 2022. Since then, the company has twice increased its employees' salaries, with the most recent hike on May 1, 2024, ranging from 6% to 9%. The cumulative increase over two instances exceeded 10%.
In response to the cost of living disparities in different regions, Din Tai Fung provides an additional NT$9,000 regional bonus every quarter to its full-time operations staff working in Taipei and New Taipei City (雙北市) and Hsinchu (新竹).
Another leading restaurant chain, Thai Town Cuisine (瓦城), also announced a price increase last month. This marks the group's first price adjustment in nearly three years. Effective from May 21, the price adjustment applied to seven of its brands, including Thai Town Cuisine, Very Thai, Shih Shi Xiang, 1010 Xiang, Da Xin, YABI Kitchen, and Le Zi the Diner. The average price increase is approximately 4.5%.
