20 Din Tai Fung Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviews, every company has their own unique set of questions that they like to ask. And if you’re applying for a job at Din Tai Fung, you can expect to be asked some pretty specific questions about the restaurant and its cuisine.

To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most common Din Tai Fung interview questions, along with sample answers to give you an idea of what the interviewer is looking for.

Din Tai Fung Interview Process

The interview process at Din Tai Fung is relatively quick and easy. Most applicants will only have to go through one or two interviews before being offered a position. However, some positions may require a trial day where applicants will be asked to perform basic tasks such as wiping tables, setting tables, welcoming customers, etc.

1. Describe your experience in a fast-paced environment.

This question is a great way to assess your ability to work in a busy restaurant. Employers want to know that you can handle the stress of working in a high-volume environment and still deliver excellent customer service. In your answer, describe how you manage stress and prioritize tasks when there are many things to do at once.

Example: “In my previous position as a server, I was responsible for taking orders from customers, delivering food and drinks and ensuring they had an enjoyable dining experience. This required me to multitask between different tables throughout the night. I am comfortable with this type of fast-paced environment because I have developed strong time management skills. I always make sure to prioritize tasks based on urgency so I can ensure all customers receive quality service.”

2. What is your availability?

This question is a great way to determine if you are a good fit for the position. Employers ask this question because they want to know when you’re available to work and how often you can work. When answering this question, be sure to give them your availability in terms of days, times and any other details that may be important.

Example: “I am available Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. I also have Saturday availability from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.”

3. Do you have any previous serving or restaurant experience?

This question is a great way to learn about your potential new employer’s expectations. If you have previous experience, share what skills and qualities helped you succeed in that role.

Example: “I worked as a server at a local restaurant for two years before I moved here. My manager was very hands-off, so I learned how to manage my own tables and work with the other servers. I also developed excellent communication skills and time management skills. I’m confident that I can apply those skills to this position.”

4. Have you ever worked with team members that had different cultural backgrounds than you?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you work with people from different backgrounds. Use your answer to highlight your ability to communicate and collaborate with others who have unique perspectives.

Example: “I’ve worked with team members that had different cultural backgrounds than me, but I’ve never worked in a restaurant where there were so many diverse cultures represented. In my previous position as an accountant for a small business, I worked with a team member who was born in China. She helped me learn more about her culture and customs, which made it easier to understand some of our clients’ needs.”

5. Tell me about a time when you dealt with an unhappy customer. How did you handle the situation?

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your customer service skills. They want to know how you would handle a situation like this in their restaurant. Use examples from previous jobs or describe what you would do if an unhappy customer came into the restaurant.

Example: “I once had a customer who ordered our soup dumplings and was disappointed when they arrived without any broth inside. I apologized for the mistake, explained that it’s normal for there to be broth inside and offered them another order of soup dumplings on the house. The customer seemed satisfied with my response and left the restaurant happy.”

6. What do you think of our menu?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the restaurant’s menu and also see how you can improve it. You should take some time to look over the current menu before going into the interview so that you can give an informed answer.

Example: “I think Din Tai Fung has a very diverse menu, which I love because it means there are many options for customers. However, I do think that there could be more vegetarian options on the menu. I would like to introduce new dishes that offer different flavors but still appeal to vegetarians.”

7. How would you handle a guest who complains they are allergic to something on the menu and it’s not listed as such?

The interviewer may ask you this question to assess your customer service skills and how you handle challenging situations. In your answer, demonstrate that you can empathize with the guest while also ensuring their safety.

Example: “I would first apologize for any inconvenience caused by my restaurant’s menu not listing all ingredients of each dish. I would then explain that we take great care in preparing our dishes and have never had a problem with food allergies before. However, if they insist on leaving the premises, I would offer them a full refund or alternative meal.”

8. Are you comfortable working with children?

This question is often asked by employers to determine if you have experience working with children. If the restaurant has a play area, it’s likely that they’ll want someone who can interact well with kids and keep them entertained while their parents enjoy their meals.

Example: “I’ve worked in restaurants where there were play areas for kids, so I’m very comfortable interacting with children. In fact, I love seeing how excited they get when they’re playing games or eating food. It makes me happy to know that I’m contributing to their happiness.”

9. Would you be able to work weekends and holidays?

This question is often asked to determine if you are willing to work extra hours. It’s important that you show your willingness to do so, but also make sure to mention the specific days and times you would be available.

Example: “I am happy to work weekends and holidays as long as they are scheduled in advance. I have no problem working on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 8 p.m. However, I can only work until 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.”

10. Why do you want to work at Din Tai Fung?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have done your research on the company. It is important to show that you are passionate about working for this restaurant and understand what it offers its employees.

Example: “I want to work at Din Tai Fung because I love Asian food, especially Chinese cuisine. I’ve been a fan of Din Tai Fung since I was in college, so when I saw there were openings here, I knew I had to apply. The atmosphere of the restaurants is always lively and fun, which makes me excited to come to work every day.”

11. It’s important for us to maintain our high standards when preparing food, how would you ensure quality is up to par?

This question is an opportunity to show your attention to detail and commitment to quality. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific example of how you ensured the quality of food at your previous job.

Example: “I always make sure that I’m following all safety regulations when preparing food. For instance, at my last job, we had a customer who was allergic to peanuts. We were careful to avoid cross-contamination by using separate utensils for each dish. This way, we could ensure our customers with allergies would have safe meals.”

12. Give an example of when you went above and beyond for a customer.

This question is a great way to show your potential employer that you are willing to go the extra mile for customers. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of a time when you went above and beyond for a customer and how it positively impacted their experience at the restaurant.

Example: “When I worked as a server at a local restaurant, one of my favorite things was seeing the excitement on a child’s face when they saw our balloon artist. One day, I noticed a family with two young children who were waiting for their food. The kids were getting antsy, so I asked if they would like some balloons while they waited. They happily accepted, and once their food arrived, I brought over the balloons. The parents thanked me, and the kids were thrilled.”

13. How well do you work under pressure?

Working in a restaurant can be very fast-paced and sometimes stressful. Employers ask this question to make sure you’re able to handle the pressure of working in such an environment. In your answer, explain how you stay calm under pressure and give examples of times when you’ve done so in the past.

Example: “I am someone who thrives under pressure. I enjoy being busy and always feel more motivated when there are many tasks to complete. At my last job, we were often extremely busy during lunchtime. I would work as quickly as possible while still maintaining quality. This helped me learn how to multitask effectively.”

14. If hired, what unique skills would you bring to this position?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your skills and how they can benefit the company. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight any unique or specific skills you have that would help you succeed in this role.

Example: “I believe my ability to work well under pressure would be an asset to Din Tai Fung Restaurant Group. I’ve worked in restaurants where there were many customers at once, so I’m used to working quickly and efficiently while still providing excellent customer service. I also think my creativity when it comes to food preparation would be beneficial to the restaurant.”

15. We want our servers to deliver exceptional service, why do you think you’re qualified to do so?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have experience in customer service. Showcase your interpersonal skills and ability to work with others by describing a time when you helped resolve a conflict or assisted another employee.

Example: “I believe I am qualified for this position because of my previous experience working as a server at a high-end restaurant. There, I learned how to interact with customers and provide exceptional service. One time, a customer was unhappy with their meal and wanted a refund. I apologized and offered them a free dessert on our house. They were happy with the resolution and left us a five-star review.”

16. How well do you work in a team environment?

Teamwork is an important skill to have when working in a restaurant. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you can work well with others and collaborate on projects. Use your answer to show that you are a team player who enjoys collaborating with others.

Example: “I love working in a team environment because it allows me to learn from other people’s ideas and opinions. I find that my coworkers often come up with great solutions to problems, so I try to listen to what they have to say. In the past, I’ve been part of several teams where we had to complete group projects. I enjoy being able to contribute to the overall project while also learning from my teammates.”

17. Tell me about one of the best experiences you’ve had with a host/hostess.

This question is a great way to show your interpersonal skills and ability to work with others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of an example that shows you have strong communication skills and the ability to solve problems.

Example: “When I worked at my previous restaurant, we had a host who was very friendly but also very busy. One night when he was hosting a large party, one of our servers got sick and couldn’t come in. The manager asked me to cover for the server, which meant I would be working as both a server and a host. I told the manager I could do it, and she put me on the floor. I helped the other server get through her tables before taking care of mine. She thanked me later for helping out.”

18. Our hostesses must make sure all guests feel welcome, provide great customer service and inform customers about wait times. Is this something you can commit to?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience working in a similar role. If you do, share your experiences and how they helped you develop the skills needed for this position. If you don’t have any previous hostess experience, explain that you are willing to learn and perform well in this role.

Example: “I worked as a hostess at a restaurant called The Red Dragon for two years. I learned how to greet customers, seat them and inform them about wait times. I also developed my customer service skills by making sure all guests were happy with their meals and had everything they needed.”

19. You may need to multi-task during peak hours, how would you approach those situations?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle stressful situations and whether or not you have experience with multi-tasking. Use examples from your previous work to show that you are capable of handling multiple tasks at once.

Example: “In my last position, I was responsible for greeting customers as they arrived, taking their orders and serving them food. During peak hours, it could get quite hectic in the restaurant, but I always made sure to stay calm and focused on each task one at a time. This helped me ensure that all customers were served quickly and efficiently.”

20. What are some ways you would go about ensuring accurate billing if you were a server?

This question is a great way to assess your organizational skills and attention to detail. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific steps you would take to ensure the accuracy of bills for customers.

Example: “I have always been very good at math, so I find that keeping track of my tables’ orders and making sure they are accurate before sending them in to the kitchen is one of the best ways I can help ensure billing accuracy. Another thing I do is double-check all of my numbers when entering them into the computer system.”