Shanghai Dumplings: A Gourmet Guide 🥟️

Shanghai is a foodie's paradise. And the local dumplings are the soul of Shanghai cuisine! Let's embark on this culinary quest together 👇 🍲 Xiaolongbao (小笼包) – the kings of broth The thinnest dough with a hot broth and a delicate filling. The secret is the pork skin jelly that melts during cooking. How to order: baskets (long, 笼) of 6-12 pieces. Price: 20-100+ RMB per basket. 🥢 How to eat: 1. Carefully pick up the dumpling by the "knot" with chopsticks and place it on a spoon. 2. Dip in vinegar and ginger. 3. Take a small bite to sip the broth (let it cool slightly!). 4. Eat the rest in one bite – or dip it in for a little extra flavor 😉 ☛ Where to try: - Lai Lai Xiao Long (506 Tianjin Road) 🏷️ A Michelin favorite! Especially good with crab filling. 💬 Very popular among both locals and tourists. - Jia Jia Tang Bao (127 Huanghe Road) ⏳ Lines can be up to 45 minutes, but it's worth it. It's best to arrive at opening (7:30 AM) or after 2:00 PM. - Fuchun Xiao Long Guan (652 Jianguo West Road) ✨ A legendary spot with juicy dumplings and a retro atmosphere. 📄 English menu available! 🔥 Shengjianbao (生煎包) - Crispy Beauties Fried dumplings with a crispy bottom and a juicy filling with broth. How to order: by the liang (两) - usually 4 pieces. Price: 10-30 RMB per serving. ☛Where to try: - Da Hu Chun (136 Middle Sichuan Road) 🕰️ A historic spot (since the 1930s)! "Dry" shengjianbao with almost no broth. 🍲 Order them with beef curry soup. - Shu Cai Ji (142 Yun Nan Middle Road) 🏡 A cozy family-run eatery by the waterfront. 🚶 Lines are a sign of quality! - Yang's Dumplings (many locations throughout the city) 🌟 The most famous chain. Perfect for a quick bite. 🧈 Gou Tie (锅贴) - Crispy Potstickers Fried dumplings with a golden crust and a juicy filling (sometimes with broth). They are distinguished by their thin shell and crescent shape. They are usually sold in the same places as shengjianbao. How to order: 4-8 pieces. Price: 8-25 yuan. 🍜 Xiao Huntun (小馄饨) - Mini Wontons for Breakfast Tiny wontons in a fragrant broth with seaweed, scallions, and dried shrimp. How to order: 8-12 pieces. Specify "small" (xiao fen, 小份) or "large" (da fen, 大份) portion. Price: 8-15 RMB. 🌱 Jicai Huntong (荠菜馄饨) - Wontons with Wild Greens Large wontons filled with pork and jicai (wild greens). Especially popular in spring and summer. Serving options: - in hot broth (tang huntong); - with sesame-peanut sauce (huashengjiang ban huntong). How to order: in portions of 10, 13, or 15. Price: 15-25 RMB. ✨ Lifehacks - Use a translator or just point to the menu. - Arrive early to avoid lines. - Be sure to try all the varieties! Shanghai dumplings are incredibly delicious! Enjoy! 🍽️❤️