Shanghai Soup Dumplings

Xiaolongbao is hands down the most distinguished homegrown dumpling for Shanghai.

Although all flour-wrapped, meat- or vegetable-filled Chinese snacks are known as "dumplings" to the world, each of them has a distinctive Chinese name and history, and xiaolongbao is hands down the most distinguished homegrown dumpling for Shanghai. Xiaolongbao was originated from Nan Xiang, a suburb of Shanghai.It has become so popular that it is a Chinese food icon in Asia and around the world. These tender pouches, "little dumplings", are freshly made to order. They arrive at the table in piping hot bamboo steamers. Each plump dumpling contains a little pork meatball surrounded by a delightful meaty broth. There are two variations of soup dumplings - crab meat and pork meat. To prevent burning one's mouth and to savor the dumpling, the preferred method of consumption is to bite off a little piece of the doughy wrapper, drip the broth to a spoon or suck the broth with a "slurp", then eat the rest.

Here are five of the best locations in Shanghai to hunt down the most authentic taste of the soup dumplings -- and each of them has stood the test of time.

·Nan Xiang Xiaolong Mantou (南翔小笼馒头)

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Nan Xiang Xiaolong Mantou near the City God Temple (城隍庙) in Shanghai’s old town is more than 100 years old. It is the classic introductory experience to some of the best xiaolongbao, the city’s most iconic food. The skins of Nanxiang xiaolongbao are of moderate thickness and the dumplings of ample size. Just remember to avoid the ridiculous “giant xiaolongbao” filled entirely with fatty broth that you suck out with a straw. Not worth your dignity.

address:
Nan Xiang Xiaolong Mantou, 85 Yuyuan Lao Lu, near Fuyou Lu 豫园老路85号, 近福佑路, 021-63554206, 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m.


 

·De Xing Guan (德兴馆)

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De Xing Guan's xiaolongbao has filled up Shanghai bellies since the Qing dynasty. De Xing Guan’s xiaolongbao are juicy and of good value -- expect a generous size and a big flavor from the rich, fatty pork filling and a thicker, Shanghainese style xiaolongbao skin to hold it in.

address:
De Xin Guan, 471 Guangdong Lu, near Fujian Zhong Lu 广东路471号, 近福建中路, +86 21 6352 2535, 6:30 a.m-9:30 p.m.
 

·Fu Chun (富春)

These are the soup-filled dumplings with very thin skin. Fu Chun is always full of locals -- they enjoy the authentic Shanghai xiaolongbao prepared just as they might remember it from childhood.
At the popular location, the xiaolongbao are indeed meatier. The pork filling is lean, brightly savory and bouncier, tasting of rice wine and soy sauce.
Address:
Fu Chun, 650 Yuyuan Lu, near Zhenning Lu 愚园路650号, 近镇宁路021-62525117, 6:30 a.m.-midnight.

·Long Pao Xie Fen Dumplings (龙袍蟹粉小笼馆)

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The xiaolongbao here fall somewhere between the Shanghai-style xiaolongbao and Nanjing tangbao and each basket is freshly steamed for each customer.The broth is clear-tasting without extra soy -- it’s the rare xiaolongbao that manages to go down light, so you can gulp down two baskets without feeling queasy.
Address:
Long Pao Xie Fen Dumplings (龙袍蟹粉小笼馆), 15 Qi Bao Lao Jie Bei Da Jie 七宝老街北大街15号, no telephone

 

·Din Tai Fung (鼎泰丰)

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You can watch the chefs making xiaolongbao in the open kitchen every day, each soup dumpling coming filled to its 18-folds crown with hot, porky broth. We recommend the crab roe and pork dumplings, which come with a hearty filling of creamy roe and pork.
Address:
Din Tai Fung, multiple locations, 2/F, Unit 11A South Block, Xintiandi, 123 Xingye Lu, near Huangpi Nan Lu 兴业路123弄新天地南里6号楼2楼11A单元, 近黄陂南路, +86 21 6385 8378, Monday to Thursday: 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 5 p.m.-midnight; Friday: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5 p.m.-1 a.m.; Saturday and Sunday: 11 a.m.-1 a.m.
 

·Jia Jia Tang Bao

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Jia Jia Tang Bao has a strict "first come, first served" policy -- get there late, no xiaolongbao for you. ​These soup dumplings are delicately folded by a team of all-female chefs before getting whisked to the steamers and, finally, served piping hot to tables of eager patrons.
Address:Jia Jia Tang Bao, multiple locations, 90 Huanghe Lu, near Fengyang Lu 黄河路90号, 近凤阳路, +86 21 6327 6878, hours 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

·Simon's Test Kitchen

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Just like the originals, Simon's xiaolongbao are delectable, with ultra-thin skin enclosing brilliant orange crab roe and clean porky broth. You even get delicate copycat ginger slivers in high-quality black vinegar for dipping.

Address:
Simon Test Kitchen (小黑试验厨房), The Point Jing’an Building, 555 Anyuan Lu, near Jiaozhou Lu, 安远路555号静安门大厦1楼, 近胶州路, +86 21 3353 3977, hours: 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.