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.
