Chinese · 160 min · Hard
小笼包
Shanghai's marvel of a dumpling: a delicate pleated wrapper enclosing seasoned pork and a hidden pool of hot, savoury soup that bursts when you bite in. The magic is solidified gelatinous stock folded into the filling, which melts back to liquid as the dumplings steam. Xiaolongbao reward patience and a careful pleat — and the ritual of dipping in black vinegar and ginger, then sipping the soup, is one of the great pleasures of the table.