Xiaoyang Shengjian

oh yes, I find them all best in apple vinegar as well.

Ah, great memories of Shanghai. My favorite place for these little dumplings in Shanghai is a little local hole in the wall joint on Kangding Road off of Changde Rd in the Jing-An District (more Shanghainese spoken here than mandarin). 6 RMB for 8 XLB. Was there a week ago, still cheap and absolutely delicious. Just remember to use the little dipping cups to cool them off.

Is it east or west of Changde Lu? North or south side of the street? What time does it close? The place across the street from me (Changping Lu between Xikang Lu and Shaanxi Lu, south side) also charges y6 for its pork dumplings, but I strongly prefer the 蟹粉 for y10.

West of 常德路。 Place is called 珊珊小笼馆。

I thought the "pro" way to eat was to bite a corner, suck the soup out, and then eat?

After you burn all the nerves from your mouth by eating it wrong, you don't have to eat it this way. ;)

This is how I eat mine:

1) Bite the ends and drink the soup
2) Dip in vinegar/sesame oil combo
3) Add ginger slices on top
4) DEVOUR IT LIKE THERE'S NO TOMORROW ^:mad:^

I went there for the first time yesterday, and must it admit that it was far better than the joint in the Reel Plaza food court that charges twice as much. Comparing to my Changping Rd establishment is a bit tougher because the latter has become my measuring stick for xiaolongbao, but I will concede that the dumplings at your place had more soup, which is a plus.

I'm more like this.

I first wait for about a minute after arrival.

1. Dip in vinegar and transfer to spoon
2. Add ginger on top of the dumpling
3. Bite corner to suck out soup (not a problem if it leaks since you have the spoon)
4. Pop into mouth.
5. Grin like an idiot and start again!

Oh yum! The 1 minute wait helps sidestep the blistering of the mouth...oh yum.

This thread is making me realize that it has been far too long since I've been in China.

Awesome, glad you liked it. Plus, 6 RMB for 8 can't be beat. I could eat three of those stacked up for $3.

Next time I'm in Shanghai I'll try your place! Oh, and you can tell the middle-aged woman at the cash register the ABC sent you. She knows me, my mom, and Grandma by now!

I paid y18 for 7 or 8 of the xiefen. I didn't notice how much the base level pork dumplings cost.

Read this thread in the morning and had to get some for lunch!! Nearest place for me was the Dingtaifung at Shinkong. Mmmm... Yum. Pricey compared to the little digs in Shanghai though. Will have to try to check those out when I'm in SH next month.