TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwanese restaurant Din Tai Fung on Wednesday (June 12) raised prices for popular dishes by as much as 20%.
Din Tai Fung, a renowned restaurant popular among international tourists visiting Taiwan, announced on its website that, considering operational costs, it will be “slightly adjusting” its prices. The average price increase was about 6%.
The price of their famous xiaolongbao has risen from NT$250 (US$7.73) to NT$280 per basket, and the shrimp fried rice has increased from NT$270 to NT$300. The price of side dishes has increased from NT$100 to NT$120.
Din Tai Fung said the Vegetable and Kurobuta Pork Spicy Wontons have gone from NT$180 to NT$200. The House Jidori Chicken Soup has been adjusted from NT$230 to NT$250.
The eatery explained it increased prices mainly due to growing labor costs, reported UDN. Given the manpower shortage in the service industry, the company has continuously invested resources in recruiting and retaining talent, as well as in salaries and benefits “to maintain excellent service and food standards.”
For example, the company adjusted prices twice in the past year and a half. During this period, the company has also given two salary raises to its employees, with the most recent raise occurring on May 1, ranging from 6% to 9%.
The cumulative increase from these two raises exceeds 10%. Din Tai Fung stated that the company has implemented annual salary adjustments for four consecutive years, with this year's increase being the largest in nearly four years.
Starting salaries for front-line service staff begin at NT$50,000 with no experience required. With performance bonuses, monthly earnings can reach up to NT$60,000.
Starting salaries for kitchen chefs begin at NT$59,000, and with performance bonuses, there is the potential to earn up to NT$70,000 per month.
