Xiaolongbao are a type of small
Chinese dumpling filled with pork soup. They
originate from the city of Shanghai. Since they are steamed, and the juicy soup is really hot, you need to take care while eating them to avoid burning your tongue.
Do NOT put the whole thing directly into your mouth. I'll say it again! DO NOT PUT THE WHOLE THING DIRECTLY INTO YOUR MOUTH!!
Here's how to actually eat a xiaolongbao:
1. Put the dumpling on a spoon, and blow it too cool down
2. Bite at the top of the dumpling
3. Suck out all the soup
from the top
4. Consume the rest (you know, the meat and skin)
And there you have it. One of the best Shanghai culinary specialties, maybe even one of the best China culinary specialties. You'll never go back to ordinary potsticker dumplings ever again!
Jim had never tried xiaolongbao before, though he heard they were delicious, so he went to a Chinese
restaurant in New York to try some for
the first time. But he ended up burning his mouth with the soup and making a mess because he had not learned
how to eat them properly.
