Sometime in the early part of the 2000s, we had a mini explosion of xiao long baos in Singapore. Literally translated as “little steamer basket dumplings”, they are also fondly referred to as “soup dumplings”.
There’s just something magical about these delicate dumplings that explode with scalding-hot, tasty broth. How does the liquid get into the dumpling? The trick is to mix gelatinised broth into the pork filling. During the steaming process, heat melts the solid into a rich broth. And the soup dumpling is born.
Proving to be more than another food fad, there are now numerous xiao long bao specialists in Singapore. We taste-test five well-known names. Which ones are truly boomz-a-licious?
Imperial Treasure La Mian Xiao Long Bao
6 Raffles Boulevard, #02-138J Marina Square
Opening hours: Daily: 11am-10pm
Price: $3.60++ (4 pieces)
Rating: 4.5/5
|
|
A relative newcomer to the xiao long bao scene, Imperial Treasure’s soup dumplings impressed us with their succulence and well made skin.
Appearances were deceiving, as Imperial Treasure’s dumplings tasted better than they looked. The skin was very thin, striking a great balance between softness and resilience.
We were surprised that these little pouches contained an amazing amount of soup. The broth was light but had great depth of flavour. Eaten in a mouthful, each dumpling had superb mouthfeel. Overall, Imperial Treasure’s xiao long bao are a solid all-rounder.
21 Neil Road
Opening hours: 11.30am-3pm, 5.30pm-9.30pm; closed on Wed
Price: $7.00 (7 pieces)
Rating: 4/5
|
|
For literally melt-in-the-mouth skin and dumplings bursting with soup, look no further than Qun Zhong. At first, the dough skin looked thick and floury. But in the mouth, the opaque skin felt thin and ethereally light.
Brimming with the intense fragrance of sesame seed oil, the soup was delightfully robust and flavourful. On the downside, it was a tad too rich. The minced pork took some getting used to—it was loose rather than compactly packed. But it was very fresh, with its tender texture complementing the delicate skin.
Compared to their upmarket peers, Qun Zhong’s xiao long bao are more rustic in style. Point to note: Be prepared to face long queues and curt service during peak hours, and also their infamous “Soup Dumpling Nazi”.
Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao
3 Temasek Boulevard, #B1-027 Suntec City Mall
Opening hours: Daily: 11am-9.45pm
Price: $5.00 (5 pieces)
Rating: 4/5
|
|
For most outstanding soup, our vote goes to Crystal Jade. The broth had excellent balance of sweet-salty flavours, with a hint of pepper to titillate the taste buds. Its well-rounded and complex flavours left a lasting impression.
We also liked how the meat patty was nicely compacted, without being too loose or tight.
Less impressive was its skin, which could have been thinner and less chewy. Other than that, this was a memorable xiao long bao worth coming back for.
290 Orchard Road, #B1-03 Paragon Shopping Centre
Opening hours: Mon-Fri: 11am-10pm, Sat-Sun/PH: 10am-10pm
Price: $6.50++ (6 pieces)
Rating: 3.5/5
|
|
Made with military precision, Din Tai Fung’s famous 18-pleat soup dumplings are indeed exquisite.
The skin was remarkably paper-thin and resilient. It didn’t even tear we picked up a dumpling with chopsticks and shook it enthusiastically. Although it had a tendency to get chewy quite fast, the skin was sufficiently soft when warm.
Din Tai Fung’s xiao long bao weren’t as soupy nor as meaty as we’d liked. But that’s probably due to their dainty size. The soup was very mild, and needed to be perked up with vinegar and ginger.
Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant
200 Victoria Street, #02-53 Bugis Junction
Opening hours: Mon-Fri: 11.30am-10pm; Sat-Sun: 11am-10pm
Price: $6.00 ++ (6 pieces)
Rating: 3/5
|
|
This is the first overseas outlet of the century-old Nanxiang restaurant in Shanghai. A mind-boggling variety of fillings are available, with at least eight to choose from.
For their classic pork xiao long bao, the pork and soup filling was sufficiently tasty, but lacked depth of flavour.
The skin looked thin, but felt thick and chewy, even when warm. The fold at the top of the dumpling was too heavy. Overall, Nanxiang’s dumplings were passable, but did not stand out.
Craving for xiao long bao? Click here for a comprehensive list of eateries serving it.
