I am really not a fan of queueing, really hated it. When you see my in a line waiting, most likely it involves food! It was no difference this time. We lined up for over 40 minutes for its famous Xiao Long Bao (XLB) or what also known as Xiao Long Mantou 小籠饅頭 (mini buns). I think they are called mini buns / mantou for a reason because the XLBs being served have really thick dough / skin like tiny steamed mini buns.
Worth the 40 mins line up? RMB 20 for 12 XLBs ... I guess it was worth a try. These XLBs were served in batches, if you missed one batch, prepare to wait for 15 more minutes while they are being steamed.
I still like my XLB with thin dough but it was nice to have tried the alternatives. There were plenty of meat juice inside each one with a hints of sweetness to it as well. A little vinegar as dipping sauce complimented the flavors very well. (I have heard that the quality of the XLBs are different if you dine-in at their upstairs restaurant, but I guess I have to revisit to verify that.)
It made me wonder, should the XLB's skin be thin or thick? Is there a standard? hummm ... I am not too certain but I have a feeling they were "invented" as a "snack" and not as a delicacy.
Likes:
- A pleasant alternatives to the usual thin skinned XLBs
- plenty of meat juice with hints of sweetness
Dislikes:
- LINE UP!
Avg Spending: RMB 20 per person
Nanxiang Steamed Bun 南翔饅頭店
黄浦区豫园路85号(近九曲桥)
No 85, YuYuan Road, Shanghai.
檢視較大的地圖
7 comments:
Jia Jia Tang Bao on Huanghe Lu is very good for XLB in Shanghai - when I went last year, it was only RMB 7.5/12 pcs with the pork & crab xlb costing RMB 19.5/12 pcs. Also very good but very obvious is Din Tai Fung.
Hi Jason -- I'm starting a whole series of restaurant reviews from Montreal and Quebec, where we just finished a vacation. Just wanted to give you a head's up, since I so enjoyed your posts from Toronto.
Judging from their appearance, seems that the XLB have been improved compare to those I tried yearS ago. Do they still charge RM1 for the ginger slivers?
@Joyce: Just read your Poutine post and I really want some now!!! I will worry about the calories afterwards! :)
@TasteHongKong: they charge RM1 for the ginger silver? I just used the vinegar only and maybe I was buying takeout so I did not see any ginger silver on sale. Perhaps when dine-in?
@Mr Noodles: Yeah! Went to Din Tai Fung as well and will post soon :) ... I think they increased the price once again at Nanxiang Steamed Bun 南翔饅頭店, inflation perhaps.
If you want to bypass the line in the future, there is also the 2nd and 3rd floor where they charge you more for the same dumplings. 3rd floor is more expensive than the 2nd floor.
I do not like the thick skinned xiao long bao's. I like Crystal Jade's thin skinned kind.
@Kelly: yep! I walked up as well if I recall correctly but during lunch time (or any time for that matter), full house! HAHA
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