Chinese – Soup Dumplings

Soup Dumplings (小笼包, Xiǎolóngbāo) is a beloved Chinese delicacy originating from Jiangnan cuisine, particularly in Shanghai and Suzhou. These dumplings are unique for their delicate skin, the flavorful soup encased inside, and a meat filling.

Key Features:

Filling: Typically made with minced pork, sometimes combined with crab meat and a gelatinized broth that turns into the soup when steamed.
Wrapper: Thin and tender dough, pleated beautifully to seal the dumpling and hold the soup inside.
Cooking Method: Steamed in bamboo baskets (xiaolong), which give the dumplings their name.
Eating Method: Diners usually place the dumpling on a spoon, bite a small hole to sip the soup, and then eat the rest with dipping sauce made of vinegar and ginger.
Texture and Flavor: Juicy, savory, and aromatic, perfectly balanced between the delicate wrapper, rich filling, and flavorful soup.

Soup dumplings are an iconic dish in Chinese cuisine, often enjoyed as part of dim sum or a standalone treat.