One of the favorites in Taipei is the steamed dumpling restaurant Ding Tai Feng, with their original location on Hsin Yi Road west of Hsin Sheng South Road. However, one can easily wait an hour to be seated at peak times, and once seated you are encouraged to eat quickly and get out. But the food is so good that it is worth it much of the time.
There’s a new resturant called Dian Shui Lou at Ming Quan East Road Section 2, Number 30 (at Zhong Yuan Street between Hsin Sheng North Road and Sung Jiang Road, bus stop Ming Quan Chi Lin Intersection). Their menu and food quality is virtually identical to Ding Tai Feng, and the dining room is big enough so that we’ve never had to wait. We’ve gone twice now and both times the service was good and efficient and the food was very good as well. Their service is geared towards locals and Japanese tourists, but at least some of the staff speak basic english.
Favorites: steamed pork dumplings, steamed pork and shrimp dumplings, hot and sour soup, chicken soup, greens cooked with garlic
Through the end of October they are offering a 15% discount. Expect to pay NT300-400 per person depending on what you order.
I especially like it because it is right across the street from where I live. 