Search locations or food
OR
Already have an account? Log in
OR
shutterstock
WHERE TO EAT The best Soup buns (Tangbao) in the world (according to food experts)
1
Recommended by Michelin Guide and 13 other food critics.
"This is the most comfortable, although somewhat hidden in the Shanghai Centre. Along with the speciality - their wonderful Xiao Long Bao - are some hairy crab dishes."
2
Recommended by Lonely Planet and 16 other food critics.
"The dumplings here are certainly special. The xiǎolóngbāo – thin-skinned packages with meat or veggie fillings that are surrounded by a superb, scalding soup – are especially fine."
3
Recommended by Lonely Planet and 50 other food critics.
"Are these Melbourne's best xiao long bao (soup dumplings)? We think so, which is why getting a seat in this three-level building isn't always easy, though you can book ahead."
4
Recommended by Daniel Ang and 7 other food critics.
"8 different flavours, each promising to stimulate your taste buds and thrill your senses with the multi-coloured offering. When in doubt, go for the original. Packed with brothy goodness, this tasted best of the lot."
5
Recommended by J. Kenji López-Alt and 6 other food critics.
"The pork dumplings at Jia Jia are the best soup dumplings I've had, period. Thin skins with just a slight bit of stretchy pull to them, tender, fatty pork with very minimal seasonings, and a broth with enough rich gelatin to get your lips sticky as you slurp them down."
6
Recommended by Andrew Zimmern and 29 other food critics.
"I’ve eaten a lot of dumplings in my life, but I’d cross an ocean for the xiao long bao stuffed with seasoned pork and black truffle shavings."
7
Recommended by Jonathan Gold and 27 other food critics.
"The xiao long bao are small miracles; plump, round spheres soft yet firm to the touch, delicately fragranced. When you pop one into your mouth, perhaps having wetted it first with a drop of black vinegar, it bursts into a mouthful of broth — boiling liquid if you haven't allowed it to cool — transforming the filling of meat and aromatics into a loose, savory purée that melts away like pork-scented air."
8
Recommended by Time Out and 28 other food critics.
"This Taiwanese restaurant serves arguably the best xiao long bao – the steamed dumplings stuffed with meat and broth."
9
Recommended by Steve Cuozzo and 22 other food critics.
"Soup dumplings unleash a lush bath of fine-ground pork and crab that hits you all at once. Thanks to Ng’s way with dough, the fragile skin doesn’t come apart before the dumpling hits your mouth."
10
Recommended by Michelin Guide and 16 other food critics.
"Despite stiff competition, these soup dumplings-soft and delicate with perfectly spiraled shoulders and a mouthful of lip-smacking golden broth wrapped inside-still stand a head above the rest. In fact, these chefs have made it their mission to ensure biting into them is a sensual experience."