the 小龙包 (soup dumplings) thread
Jan 18, 2013, 12:24 am
#61
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Jan 18, 2013, 2:25 am
#62
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Jan 18, 2013, 7:22 am
#63
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Wuxi food is indeed unbearably sweet. I had Wuxi XLB in Nanjing recently as I saw it at the menu at my hotel and couldn't resist. It just didn't seem right. No clue why the hotel (was staying at Phoenix Palace, pretty mediocre place but I always stay there for free), was serving Wuxi XLB.
btw anyone interested in going for XLB in Shanghai on the 26th shoot me a PM. Flying in to Shanghai just to eat lol.
btw anyone interested in going for XLB in Shanghai on the 26th shoot me a PM. Flying in to Shanghai just to eat lol.
Jan 19, 2013, 3:10 am
#65
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I went back down there again today (needed to help a friend get his computer fixed), and stopped by the same place (it's on Nanchang Rd about 60 meters east of Xiangyang Rd, btw). I mistakenly ordered the base level pork variety, which wasn't nearly as good as the 鞋粉 that I got the previous time... though still a lot of soup inside. At some places, I prefer the pork only, while at others the 鞋粉 is the way to go... trial and error. I've yet to find any 特色 varieties that I like.
Jan 20, 2013, 10:01 am
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I went back down there again today (needed to help a friend get his computer fixed), and stopped by the same place (it's on Nanchang Rd about 60 meters east of Xiangyang Rd, btw). I mistakenly ordered the base level pork variety, which wasn't nearly as good as the 鞋粉 that I got the previous time... though still a lot of soup inside. At some places, I prefer the pork only, while at others the 鞋粉 is the way to go... trial and error. I've yet to find any 特色 varieties that I like.
Jan 28, 2013, 8:01 am
#69
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Sigh got hijacked by friends after they found out I was in SH. As a result waited for an hour for a table at a Szechuan restaurant on NJ East (was staying at the Sofitel).
On the bright side I had XLB at De Xin Guan the next morning. The skins are thicker than what I am used to but I guess it is more Shanghai style XLB than the more prevalent NJ style XTB that I and probably most people are used to.
I had XLB for lunch again (got to get my fix
) at this Tan Bao place on NJ East as I was walking back to my hotel. It is on the 2nd floor of the pedestrian street but I don't recognize the first 2 characters (XX汤包). Maybe someone can shed some light as to what the name is.
On the bright side I had XLB at De Xin Guan the next morning. The skins are thicker than what I am used to but I guess it is more Shanghai style XLB than the more prevalent NJ style XTB that I and probably most people are used to.
I had XLB for lunch again (got to get my fix
) at this Tan Bao place on NJ East as I was walking back to my hotel. It is on the 2nd floor of the pedestrian street but I don't recognize the first 2 characters (XX汤包). Maybe someone can shed some light as to what the name is.
Nov 10, 2015, 6:02 am
#70
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Last week, I attended a group dinner at Jardin de Jade (Jade Garden) on Maoming Lu, which I believe is a chain restaurant. The dinner itself was a 3 hour affair, consisting of many small dishes that I didn't care much for. However, they finished things off with 小龙包, which was really good. Perhaps I was biased because I was so hungry, but I felt the quality was top notch.
Most of my hole in the wall XLB venues no longer exist, so I really only get to try DTF and a pretty bad hole in the wall near Laoximen these days. I'm not a fan of Yang's because I haven't figured out how to eat those things without making a mess.
Most of my hole in the wall XLB venues no longer exist, so I really only get to try DTF and a pretty bad hole in the wall near Laoximen these days. I'm not a fan of Yang's because I haven't figured out how to eat those things without making a mess.
Nov 10, 2015, 8:57 am
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I really really want some soup buns during my trip next week (and even the "bad" ones by your standards would be good for me, I'm sure!) I won't have much time (arrive late Tuesday, meetings Wed & Thurs, leave Friday) We even have a dinner on Wed night. But I plan to ask the students if there is a place nearby I can get dumplings on Thurs night! (of course, not speaking any Chinese, it's difficult for me on my own in a non-tourist area, but I haven't starved yet...Couldn't tell you what I've eaten most of the time, but haven't starved^)
Nov 11, 2015, 5:43 am
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I really really want some soup buns during my trip next week (and even the "bad" ones by your standards would be good for me, I'm sure!) I won't have much time (arrive late Tuesday, meetings Wed & Thurs, leave Friday) We even have a dinner on Wed night. But I plan to ask the students if there is a place nearby I can get dumplings on Thurs night! (of course, not speaking any Chinese, it's difficult for me on my own in a non-tourist area, but I haven't starved yet...Couldn't tell you what I've eaten most of the time, but haven't starved^)
tb
Nov 11, 2015, 6:27 am
#73
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While I'm hard pressed to think of anywhere better than dtf off hand (and I actively dislike the original 南翔 place), I think there is value in seeking out venues that have a bit more local flavor. (Why come all the way to Shanghai to get the exact same product that's on offer in Seattle?)
Nov 11, 2015, 8:07 am
#74
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Well, none of the DTF locations are nearby me or where I might travel, with the exception of one of the Shanghai locations - I was contemplating exploring the Xujiahui area on my last night and there's a location in a mall there. Will probably still ask the students if there are places closer to the university/hotel. Will probably also ask them to write out an order for me
Nov 11, 2015, 3:28 pm
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There are pretty bad locations in LA (Arcadia is good), and even within Taipei you need to choose carefully. Seattle is very iffy, and can be OK or bad or good depending on the day/time....and of course don't bother trying the location in Toronto which is a fake knockoff called 'DinG Tai Fung', which fooled me at first glance and almost swore me off the brand before I figured out they ripped off the real DTF.
For the best XLB, I try to find the under the radar mom and pop shops that locals gravitate to.