Shanghai Dumplings: A Gourmet Guide 🥟️

Shanghai is a foodie's paradise. And the local dumplings are the soul of Shanghai cuisine! Let's embark on this culinary quest together 👇

🍲 Xiaolongbao (小笼包) – the kings of broth

The thinnest dough with a hot broth and a delicate filling. The secret is the pork skin jelly that melts during cooking.

How to order: baskets (long, 笼) of 6-12 pieces.
Price: 20-100+ RMB per basket.

🥢 How to eat:

1. Carefully pick up the dumpling by the "knot" with chopsticks and place it on a spoon.
2. Dip in vinegar and ginger.
3. Take a small bite to sip the broth (let it cool slightly!). 4. Eat the rest in one bite – or dip it in for a little extra flavor 😉

☛ Where to try:

- Lai Lai Xiao Long (506 Tianjin Road)
🏷️ A Michelin favorite! Especially good with crab filling.
💬 Very popular among both locals and tourists.

- Jia Jia Tang Bao (127 Huanghe Road)
⏳ Lines can be up to 45 minutes, but it's worth it. It's best to arrive at opening (7:30 AM) or after 2:00 PM.

- Fuchun Xiao Long Guan (652 Jianguo West Road)
✨ A legendary spot with juicy dumplings and a retro atmosphere.
📄 English menu available!

🔥 Shengjianbao (生煎包) - Crispy Beauties

Fried dumplings with a crispy bottom and a juicy filling with broth.

How to order: by the liang (两) - usually 4 pieces.
Price: 10-30 RMB per serving.

☛Where to try:

- Da Hu Chun (136 Middle Sichuan Road)
🕰️ A historic spot (since the 1930s)! "Dry" shengjianbao with almost no broth.
🍲 Order them with beef curry soup.

- Shu Cai Ji (142 Yun Nan Middle Road)
🏡 A cozy family-run eatery by the waterfront.
🚶 Lines are a sign of quality!

- Yang's Dumplings (many locations throughout the city)
🌟 The most famous chain. Perfect for a quick bite.

🧈 Gou Tie (锅贴) - Crispy Potstickers

Fried dumplings with a golden crust and a juicy filling (sometimes with broth). They are distinguished by their thin shell and crescent shape. They are usually sold in the same places as shengjianbao.

How to order: 4-8 pieces.
Price: 8-25 yuan.

🍜 Xiao Huntun (小馄饨) - Mini Wontons for Breakfast

Tiny wontons in a fragrant broth with seaweed, scallions, and dried shrimp.

How to order: 8-12 pieces. Specify "small" (xiao fen, 小份) or "large" (da fen, 大份) portion.
Price: 8-15 RMB.

🌱 Jicai Huntong (荠菜馄饨) - Wontons with Wild Greens

Large wontons filled with pork and jicai (wild greens). Especially popular in spring and summer.

Serving options:
- in hot broth (tang huntong);
- with sesame-peanut sauce (huashengjiang ban huntong).

How to order: in portions of 10, 13, or 15.
Price: 15-25 RMB.

✨ Lifehacks

- Use a translator or just point to the menu.
- Arrive early to avoid lines.
- Be sure to try all the varieties! Shanghai dumplings are incredibly delicious!

Enjoy! 🍽️❤️