Shanghai & Jiangnan
Soup dumplings
小笼包
Xiǎo lóng bāo
Pleated little parcels with a thin wrapper and a spoonful of rich broth inside.
Regional starting pointShanghai & Jiangnan
On the menuDumplings
Typical heatMild
Flavor & textureBrothy · Delicate · Savory
Get to know the dish
Xiaolongbao are closely associated with Nanxiang and Shanghai. The broth begins as a jellied filling that melts during steaming. A pork filling is common, while crab and other variations appear on many menus.
What to look for
A delicate wrapper, neatly closed pleats, and a balance of filling and broth. The small steamer is part of how they arrive at the table.
Every kitchen has its version
English menus may say soup dumplings or steamed buns. These are different from pan-fried shengjianbao and larger fluffy bao.
Sources & further reading
Background and preparation references. Our descriptions are editorial summaries, not restaurant reviews.
