Din Tai Fung could open its first Texas location at the Houston Galleria, according to a filing submitted to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. The internationally known Taiwanese restaurant chain intends to take over a 16,790-square-foot space at 5115 Westheimer Road.
Renovation Project Combines Six Spaces into One Restaurant
The $1 million renovation project calls for combining six existing spaces into a single restaurant footprint. According to the state filing details, construction is slated to run from February to mid-June.
The proposed construction timeline and project scope remain preliminary. Representatives for the Galleria, Din Tai Fung, and Nobu have not confirmed an official opening date or lease agreement.
Impact on Existing Galleria Tenancy
The planned combination of spaces includes the area currently occupied by Nobu, an upscale Japanese restaurant that opened at the Galleria in 2018 with a grand opening that drew chef Nobu Matsuhisa, co-founder Meir Teper, and actor Robert De Niro.
Nobu Houston has not announced plans to close. State permitting records also show a separate project registered on October 6, 2025, under project number TABS2026002621, alongside earlier records describing re-demise work at the mall’s Rink Level.
Origins and Global Expansion of the Chain
Din Tai Fung traces its history to 1958, when Bing-Yi Yang and his wife, Pen-Mei Lai, opened a cooking oil shop in Taipei. The couple began selling xiao long bao, or soup dumplings, in 1972, eventually transforming the retail shop into a full-service restaurant.
The family-owned enterprise has expanded to more than 165 locations across 13 countries. Its portfolio includes multiple restaurants in California, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, and New York, alongside international honors that include five Michelin stars awarded to its Hong Kong location.
Questions About the Houston Galleria Expansion
When could Din Tai Fung open in Houston?
State filing documents outline a preliminary construction schedule running from February through mid-June, though an official opening date has not been announced.
What space will the restaurant occupy?
The project targets a 16,790-square-foot area at 5115 Westheimer Road inside the Houston Galleria, combining six existing suites including space currently occupied by Nobu.
How does this project compare to other recent Din Tai Fung openings?
The brand recently expanded on the East Coast with a 26,400-square-foot restaurant in Manhattan that opened in July 2024, and announced plans for a 20,000-square-foot location in Downtown Brooklyn slated for 2027.
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