Jia Jia Tang Bao (佳家汤包) - Shanghai (China)

Perhaps the most well-known of all Shanghainese dishes, Xiao Long Bao (XLB) can be found in any corner of the city.

And in a place with so many shops selling these steamed soup dumplings, Jia Jia is probably the most famous of them all.

One may not be too convinced about Jia Jia’s quality at first, as they are no longer a mom-and-pop shop, but a chain that is very popular among tourists. I confess that I did doubt it myself, during initial research stages. But make no mistake about it, Jia Jia Tang Bao prepares an outstanding XLB.

Is it the best in town? That is not for me to answer, and it is something that will vary according to personal preference. But it is definitely up there with other institutions specialized in this local delicacy.

With a light and thin dumpling skin, they offer a variety of flavors, but the classic pork one is unbeatable.

Even with so many people in line at different stores around town, Jia Jia both wraps and steams each dumpling to order, something that completely distinguishes it from many shops on the more commercial side.

As with any other Xiao Long Bao shop, the only word of caution is for customers to be careful and follow a technique in order not to burn themselves with the soup inside the dumpling.

(Versão em Português nos comentários) Less