In a city that is full of new and shiny things to distract, Taipei is still full of “old stores” (or in Chinese, 老店 lao dian) that persevere in the ever changing food landscape. King Pin is one that is known among locals and savvy tourists alike. The Shanghaiese establishment is just a block away from the increasingly popular Zhongshan (Nanxi) shopping district, and the dining room seems to always be operating at full capacity whether it’s lunch or dinner.

The dining room is classic, feeling just dated enough to add to its legitimacy. All of the servers look like they’ve worked here for at least a decade. So you know it’s real.

Known for their steamed dumplings, every table will have a stack of bamboo steamers. The xiaolongbao is a must-order, the delicate wrappers plump with soup. But the steamed vegetable and pork dumplings (which also come in a fully vegetarian version) might be even better: a little lighter, less oily but such a gratifying bite paired with the thinly sliced ginger and vinegar. But they also have a full menu of stir fried dishes, noodles, fried rice and more to round out a full family meal. It’s a reliable spot that you can still walk into without too crazy of a wait.