Soup dumplings (小籠包) are one of the must-eats in Shanghai, China. Directly translated as "little steam basket bao", xiao long bao/soup dumplings were invented in the Jiangnan region of China back in the Song dynasty and has since evolved across different cities in the region. The current, general criteria of a good soup dumpling are as followed:
- Thin yet durable skin with typically 14-18 folds.
- Skin is soft yet with a degree of elasticity.
- Flavorful, fresh filling and soup inside.
- Right ratio of filling and soup inside.
With many soup dumpling options to choose from in Shanghai, here are some of the most popular and highly rated soup dumpling restaurants recommended by food critics and locals:
萊萊小籠 Lai Lai Xiao Long
Overall Rating: 😋😋😋😋😋
饞三尺蟹粉小籠 Chan San Chi Xie Fen Xiao Long
Overall Rating: 😋😋😋😋
佳家湯包 Jia Jia Tang Bao
Jia Jia Tang Bao offers the most delicate soup dumplings: The soup dumplings have the thinnest skin wrapper with the most soup inside, so beware when you are picking it up and eating it. The soup dumpling is so thin-skinned that one might have problems picking it up!
Overall Rating: 😋😋😋😋
庄氏隆興 Zhuang Shi Long Xing
icked bits of of crab meats. It's also the most expensive restaurant on the list.
Overall Rating: 😋😋😋
See these four types of xiao long bao in action here:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKZx3fbNg7d/?utm_source=ig_web_button_native_share
Notes & Tips:
- Almost every restaurant in China implements the QR code ordering system. Though you may still ask the wait staff to order your foods if you don't have right apps.
- Google Translate the menu is suggested in advance or on the day off, as they might not have English menu.
- You pay as you order if you order via QR code.