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Pillows of freshly made dumpling skins filled with pork and chilled broth, then heated to steamy hot, soupy perfection...Find out the best spot to get Chinese Soup Dumplings in San Diego!
If you've never had a Chinese soup dumplings, this is definitely something you should try. Good thing I've got a list here for you so you can choose where to go!
I've been eating Chinese soup dumplings for years and have just fallen in love. I still remember my first one. So much bliss in one bite.
Jump to:
What is a Xiao Long Bao (XLB) or Chinese Soup Dumpling?
It's a magical morsel of rich, flavorful deliciousness.
But really, XLBs originate from right outside the borders of Shanghai. However, they became popular worldwide only when they started showing up in Taiwan. The now restaurant chain Din Tai Fung started in Taiwan and has now opened locations across the world, increasing the worldwide popularity on these lovely little dumplings. I like Din Tai Fung, but my favorite spots are Luscious Dumplings in Los Angeles and Joe's Shanghai in New York City.
Xiao Long Bao are a steamed dumpling, typically stuffed with pork, but occasionally served with crab or other fillings as well. Often served with dark vinegar and thinly sliced ginger, the dumplings are commonly served in a dim sum type setting.
So how do they get that hot, mouth scalding soup into the dumpling? Easy, when the broth is chilled, it is in aspic form (like jello - think bone broth) and placed alongside the pork before it is wrapped. Then when it's steamed, it melts into the broth. The aspic and pork are wrapped in a thin flour wrapper then cinched together at the top of the dumpling.
How to Eat Chinese Soup Dumplings
There is a method used to eat the soup dumplings. First, use your chopsticks to lift the dumpling out of the steamer into your spoon. The soup inside is scalding hot, so we must then create small a hole in the outside to let some of that steam out. Ever try and pop a whole dumpling in your mouth without doing this first? I don't advise it. You may never taste again! Me? I bite just enough of the top off to make a hole.
Now from here, it's all up to how you like to eat it. Traditionally, the soup is slurped from the dumpling, then the dumpling dipped in the vinegar/ginger sauce to be eaten. I like to pour a touch of the vinegar sauce right into the hole I bit off and enjoy it like that. Experiment, find the way you like to eat them.
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The Best Chinese Soup Dumplings in San Diego
This is what we're really here for. Here are the best places to get Chinese soup dumplings in San Diego:
Red Moon Noodle House
In my opinion, these are the best soup dumplings in San Diego, hands down. On the menu, the dumplings are referred to as Juicy Dumplings and served as an order of 6. The dumplings were stuffed with a rich pork mixture, and cooked to perfection. The filling melts in your mouth. The broth had incredible flavor and the dumpling skins were cooked perfectly. All in all, a damn good dumpling! This is my go to spot whenever I feel that craving coming on.
Tasty Noodle House
The dumplings here are also amazing. First off, the menu is long and overwhelming, as is so common among Asian restaurants it seems. The order comes with 8 steaming dumplings stuffed with pork. The dumpling skins were perfectly chewy and the filling flavored quite nicely. The broth had that perfect fatty quality to it.
Dumpling Inn
They serve an excellent soup dumpling. The filling is always flavorful, the dumplings full, juicy and delicious! You do have to request black vinegar if that's your thing (it's always my thing - that stuff is like vinegar candy in a bottle), but the table has white vinegar, soy sauce and chili oil.
Facing East Noodle and Bar
They serve both regular pork Chinese soup dumplings, but also fun varieties such as black truffle, foie gras, snow crab, cheese, garlic and kale soup dumplings. They offer a sampler of 8 different varieties so you can try the different kinds.
**Full disclosure - Din Tai Fung has recently opened a location in UTC that I have not tried. As soon as I get a chance to try it, I will be updating this list.
Where are your favorite places to get Chinese soup dumplings in San Diego? Leave a comment below and let me know - I'd love to hear from you!
More great San Diego restaurants to try:
Shank and Bone - Vietnamese Eatery in North Park
The Best Cajun Food in Downtown San Diego
The Best Breakfast Spots in San Diego
Best Laotian Restaurants in San Diego
Where to get the Best Ramen in San Diego
Best Taco Shops in Downtown San Diego
King and Queen Cantina - Little Italy
Annissa says
Love all the nitty-gritty info you shared about dumplings. And those colorful dumplings looks fun! Great shots!
Danielle says
Thanks Annisa!
Jacqueline Debono says
These soup dumplings look fantabulous! I have never tried one and here in Italy Chinese restaurants aren't very good! But next time, I'm in London (bit nearer than San Diego!) I'll try out the Din Tai Fung that's recently opened there or try making them myself!
Danielle says
You def should try Din Tai Fung if you're in London!! I've been to the one in Los Angeles and it's great 🙂
Kelly Anthony says
We are hoping to make a trip to San Diego soon so I'm adding these to our must eat list. Thanks for the recommendations and for the tips on how to eat the soup.
Danielle says
You should totally try them!
Lauren Vavala | Delicious Little Bites says
Wow - these all look so tempting! I haven't been to San Diego in so long, but have some friends there. I'll have to ask them to check this out and let me know if they've been!
Danielle says
They were all so yummy 🙂
Jacque Hastert says
I am going to San Diego in June I will have to seek this place out. I love dumplings and these sound and look fantastic. Can't wait!
Danielle says
Yay! they are all pretty awesome places! if you need any restaurant recommendations when you get here, hit me up. I've been to a ton of restaurants!
Louise says
I have never been to San Diego - but I have had something similar in Chinatown/ London. Dumplings are amazing - and the ones you presented... OMG! Another reason to go to the states soon 😉 Thank you for sharing! Love the photos!
X Louise
http://www.louiseloveslondon.com
Danielle@wenthere8this says
Thanks Louise! Dumplings are amazing aren't' they? I bet you guys have some awesome places in London!
Rosana @ Hot&CHilli Food and Travel Blog says
I just love dumplings those colourful ones look adorable almost too good to eat! R
Danielle@wenthere8this says
I know, I feel like dumplings are just some of the best things ever!
Kavey Favelle says
I adore XLB and love your quest to find the best in your city! I should do same in London! I also consider them a "gateway dim sum" since they helped me get my husband to join me for dim sum, whereas usually he declines. He's come to love them too. Love the colourful ones at Facing East Noodle Bar.
Danielle@wenthere8this says
Thanks! You should do the same, it's such as blast! I'll bet London has a ton of options. I'm lucky that my boyfriend absolutely loves dim sum 🙂
Gingey Bites says
Oh.. I should not have read this before breakfast! I LOVE soup dumplings so so much and these all look great. The colourful ones are fun, I'd love to try them.
Danielle@wenthere8this says
I know - the first time I had them I couldn't believe I'd gone so far in life never trying them.