Xiao Long Bao Thread

Discussion in 'Food and Drink' started by purr1n, Dec 6, 2016.

  1. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

    Staff Member Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2015
    Likes Received:
    89,778
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Padre Island CC TX
    They have glass booths here. They use Chinese and Mexican wrapper boys. Occasionally someone from the Ukraine or another former Soviet republic.
     
  2. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 30, 2015
    Likes Received:
    5,773
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    small island claimed by China
    If they had Mexican or former Eastern Bloc wrappers here at the Taipei 101 DTF, you'd never be able to get in for all the looky-loos.

    How you know you're getting the good stuff.
    [​IMG]
     
  3. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

    Staff Member Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2015
    Likes Received:
    89,778
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Padre Island CC TX
    I've been to the original DTF in Taipei. The wrapper guys there have more elegant deliberate movements and stronger intent in their eyes compared to the USA locations.

    Hard to explain. Sort of like Donnie Yen vs. Haydn Christianson in the art of Kung Fu, the Force, etc.
     
  4. food

    food New

    Joined:
    Dec 21, 2016
    Likes Received:
    23
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Singapore
    Hey! I'm from Singapore and I'd be happy to share some good food places. What kind of food do you like?

    On XLB - there's a few chains that serve decent to good XLB. DTF is always above average and reliable in the sense that you'd get the same standards across all branches in Singapore. That'll cost around SG$10 for a set of 10 XLBs, and they have yam or chocolate XLBs as well which are served as dessert. Another chain that serves DTF-standard of XLBs is called Paradise Dynasty. Same prices as well, but they offer funky flavours like garlic, truffle, cheese, ginseng etc. I'd stick with original, but I suppose no harm trying the other flavours since they have a mixed set of 10 as well (one of each flavour).

    Crystal Jade is decent, but the really good Crystal Jade is their upmarket branch called Crystal Jade Palace at the 4th floor of a mall called Ngee Ann City. I've personally not tried it, since it's quite a bit above what I'd usually pay for meals.

    Two places that I personally like are Victor's Kitchen, and Swee Choon. Victor's Kitchen has two branches, one in Bugis and the other in Chinatown Point. Very good, delicious and affordable dim sum. Order their traditional carrot cake served with their special "XO" sauce, and their famous custard buns too! Swee Choon is a dim sum place in Little India, but do note that they only open from 6pm to 6am, i.e., the dinner and supper crowds. Cheap and good as well.

    I think that's a place called "Jing Hua Xiao Chi", which means exquisite dining in Mandarin. That's at the basement of a mall called Palais Renaissance. Never personally been there though!
     
  5. Drifterxny

    Drifterxny Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2016
    Likes Received:
    84
    Trophy Points:
    28
    Location:
    NYC
    I do have a good list going already, was just curious to any can't miss places that you guys might feel strongly about, like a personal favorite.

    Awesome, thanks food! I'm staying a few blocks away from Swee Choon, and was looking at this place to go for breakfast, didn't know they are only open at night, sounds like a good after drinks spot. I'm looking for exactly these types of places that locals would know more about.
     
  6. Grahad

    Grahad Guest

    Ah, then if you're looking for chicken rice, I''ve sampled most chicken rice places and still prefer the taste in this outlet: Boon Tong Kee - East Coast, 199 E Coast Rd, Singapore 428902

    Along the street (East Coast Road) there's 328 Katong Laksa, which is quite famous as well.



    Near Swee Choon's there's Good Chance Popiah, which used to be good, but the quality fell and I wouldn't advice going if anyone directs you there.

    There's also Pu Tien, and the outlet near you is the one that won the Michelin Star. The taste between franchises don't differ much, but there's a difference. Haven't tried that outlet yet, but overall their Lor Mee and their Fried Heng Hwa Bee Hoon is their signature. One thing to note is that Putien's lor mee is a very different style from what you'd get normally in Singapore, and Pu Tien has quite some seafood stuff if any in your party is allergic.
     
  7. Friday

    Friday Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2015
    Likes Received:
    520
    Trophy Points:
    93
    I'll have to disagree on this. It's not bad, but it's not what I'd consider good dim sum either. Certainly not better than regular hawker centre dim sum. Uncle Kun Delicacies (根叔美食世家, signboard is in Chinese) at a hawker centre in Toa Payoh Lorong 4 is much better at similar prices.
    Pu Tien is good, but for Heng Hwa Lor Mee I'd much prefer Ming Chung restaurant at Jalan Besar or Xing Hua Restaurant at Racecourse Road, both of which are cheaper as well. I haven't been to the latter in a while, but every time I did it was pretty consistent. It's not as comfortable as Ming Chung though.
    I believe that is Jade Palace at Forum Shopping Mall. It is also very pricey, but you do get what you pay for, which says quite a bit since there are a lot of good, affordable Chinese food in Singapore. They apparently have very good claypot rice, which I was unable to try as it needed an advance order.
     
    Last edited: Dec 23, 2016
  8. food

    food New

    Joined:
    Dec 21, 2016
    Likes Received:
    23
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Singapore
    Ah okay - I haven't been to Swee Choon, but always thought they were good enough for their prices. Will definitely try to check out Uncle Kun Delicacies soon, I really like dim sum!

    Gotta agree with you on Xing Hua Restaurant at Racecourse Road, which is quite near where Drifterxny would be staying as well. Warm and uncomfortable, but imo serves very homecooked food.
     
  9. Drifterxny

    Drifterxny Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2016
    Likes Received:
    84
    Trophy Points:
    28
    Location:
    NYC
    thanks guys, and sorry to derail the xlb thread.

    Back on topic, how do you guys feel about those large buns that's marketed as giant XLB that you'd get at the soup with a straw? That seems like the new craze that's hitting nyc.
     
  10. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 30, 2015
    Likes Received:
    5,773
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    small island claimed by China
    That sounds like a recipe for a scalded tongue. I always use the slurp&cool method as I can't handle food that's too hot.
     
    Last edited: Dec 24, 2016
  11. Grahad

    Grahad Guest

    I'm more worried about potential leeching from the straw under high heat.
     
  12. Drifterxny

    Drifterxny Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2016
    Likes Received:
    84
    Trophy Points:
    28
    Location:
    NYC
    Here's the link
    http://ny.eater.com/2016/9/21/12991234/giant-soup-dumpling-nyc-how-to-make

    supposedly you gotta line up before they open at 9am in order to get one of these giants xlbs.

    I've had them in shanghai before, but they were of the variety that's like a giant thick bun with a straw in the middle but with meat filling that you can eat after you drink the soup. This one looks like it's some kind of soup/fat gelatin rolled in a rather thin bun.
    I've seen at least one other place in flushing that's advertising giant xlb now, but didn't see anyone ordering it.
     
  13. Drifterxny

    Drifterxny Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2016
    Likes Received:
    84
    Trophy Points:
    28
    Location:
    NYC
    opps got the store hours wrong, wonder how long the wait is
    Sunday - Thursday
    12 PM to 10 PM
    Friday - Saturday
    12 PM to 12 AM
     
  14. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 30, 2015
    Likes Received:
    5,773
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    small island claimed by China
    True. But I live in a country where steaming hot food is regularly put into plastic bags for takeout and hot beverages are sealed in plastic cups using those bubble tea lid machines. Not planning on having kids (already snipped 'n tied) so a reduced sperm count doesn't really bother me. Tainted food and getting run over crossing a street are more pressing concerns. I really hate burning my tongue though
     
  15. Grahad

    Grahad Guest

    No different in mine, but at least most have now started using microwave safe plastic containers instead of baggies. Some places have the gall to serve hot tea in those el cheapie plastic cups and straws. Travesty, I tell you!

    Having heated unknown plastic like straws just tends to lend this weird hint taste that I'm not fond of.
     
  16. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 30, 2015
    Likes Received:
    5,773
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    small island claimed by China
    I generally don't partake of hot takeout drinks other than coffee. But it's pretty hard to avoid those "paper" food boxes that are covered in a thin layer of PE (I think). Millions of them get thrown away in Taiwan each day. The xiaolongbao we often get from a nearby "soybean milk" place (永和豆漿) comes in them.
    [​IMG]
     
  17. Boops

    Boops Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,179
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    New York
    This is good to know. I made a mess of it the last time I tried one of these. If you and @sphinxvc ever go to a place in Flushing, I'd love to join.
     
  18. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 30, 2015
    Likes Received:
    5,773
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    small island claimed by China
    I bite a small hole in the top and slurp, making sure to take in some air as well to help cool the juices before they go into your mouth. Kind of like the way Japanese slurp ramen.
     
  19. nonverbal

    nonverbal New

    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2015
    Likes Received:
    74
    Trophy Points:
    13
    Location:
    Taipei,Taiwan
    Home Page:
    Wow,Mr.gixxerwimp,you live in Taiwan,too?I'm a Taiwanese,maybe I can explain a bit.

    The problem of paper food boxes and plastic bag(with hot food)has been discussed for a quite a long time,not only for those containers that might cause problem,but for those containers un-examined by local goverment.
    If you buy food from those big chain store like Mc.Donald or convenience store,boxes or plastics bag will be used (and cleaned)under regulation,but if you buy anything from market(for example)...I dont think those vendors in night market would care anything other than making money.
    It seems "food safety"is an important issue in Taiwan,but almost no body care how the containers like plastic bags have been used...I feel sorry about that.

     
  20. Kunlun

    Kunlun cat-alyzes cat-aclysmic cat-erwauling - Friend

    Pyrate IEMW
    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    5,729
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Meow Parlour
    Bao wow wow! pm sent!
     

Share This Page