Xiao Long Bao Wars

Xiao Long Bao originated in Shanghai is one of my favorite dumpling. My extended stay in HK had allowed me to try some decent restaurants in the city and I managed to sample xiao long bao from 3 of the places I went to.

Din Tai Fung
Visited the Hong Kong branch of this Taiwanese 'chain' with restaurants around the world. They are famous for their dumplings and it didn't really disappoint. Picking up the dumpling with chopsticks was an ease and the skin didn't break. The soup was nice and it generally tasted pretty good but I think it was too hyped up by others and while it was good it wasn't that amazingly great. The place itself was nice though with really good service. Probably worth going to to impress your visitors.

Lung King Heen
Went here for a pre-Mother's Day yum cha. This it the only restaurant in Hong Kong to receive three Michelin stars and the only Chinese chef ever to receive this prestigious accolade, but I seriously question his ability to make xiao long bao. Sure this may not be his specialty and he probably didn't make it himself but i must say it was pretty poor. We ordered a variety of dishes and this was the first thing that came out. The presentation was excellent and it had the dumpling sat in a little basket so you can easily pick it up. When I went to grab mine in anticipation I noticed a slight resistant. To my shock my dumpling was stuck to the side of the bamboo steamer! When I pulled it out it broke and the soup came pouring out *cry*. The taste was alright but I couldn't truly appreciate it. SIGH... However, the overall meal here was very good and at around $1200HKD for 4 people at a Michelin 3 star restaurant it is pretty good value for lunch.

Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao
My sister rated this place highly and said to be the best in HK. Having gone there twice in just under 2 months I think I have to agree! The skin was quite thin and the dumpling didn't break. The soup was very tasty and the pork inside also tasted very fresh! Went to the branch in Ocean Terminal TST and they gave us a nice window view looking out to Victoria Harbor. If you love xiao long bao and you are visiting HK you probably should pay these guys a visit! Much better than both Din Tai Fung and Lung King Heen and probably a lot cheaper too.

Back to London

Returning Thursday morning. Next stop Amsterdam for late May Bank holiday. Also submitted request for World Cup tickets, see if anything comes through for South Africa 2010!