Shanghai: Michelin xiaolongbao, but locals don't eat it?
Recently, my aunt, who has lived in the US for many years, came back to Shanghai with her granddaughter to visit relatives. As the only person in the family who doesn't have to work and spends all day eating, drinking, and having fun, I was responsible for accompanying them.
While playing near East Nanjing Road, they chose to eat at Lai Lai Xiaolong for lunch.
It is very popular among overseas tourists, who are attracted by China Travel vlogs.
Lai Lai Xiaolong is indeed famous, as it is a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant in Shanghai in 2024. There are long queues every day, almost all of which are tourists from other places or even foreign countries.
My 80-year-old aunt almost gave up, but her 30-year-old granddaughter really wanted to try it. Fortunately, the turnover was fast, and the staff gave my aunt a stool to rest on. After 20 minutes, it was our turn.
💰The xiaolongbao is quite expensive, with the cheapest fresh meat and matsutake xiaolongbao costing 38 yuan, and the crab roe xiaolongbao costing more than 58 yuan. There is no ordinary fresh meat xiaolongbao.
♨️Lai Lai's crab roe and fresh meat xiaolongbao are small and delicate, with good craftsmanship and thinner skin than the fresh meat and matsutake xiaolongbao.
However, I personally don't like crab roe xiaolongbao very much. Even the famous ones I've tried have a fishy taste, and I have to add a lot of vinegar.
The fresh meat and matsutake xiaolongbao comes in a set of four, with solid filling, a salty and fresh taste, and plenty of soup. You can taste the obvious mushroom aroma, and the taste is okay.
🌟We also ordered two bowls of chicken and duck blood soup, which is not available in the US. The bowl is very large, and the portion is surprisingly large. One bowl is enough for two people.
🌟The small wontons are just average, with no special features.
🌟The fried pork chop is not bad, about a finger thick, with a crispy crust and tender meat, and a little juice.
My aunt's granddaughter (my cousin) asked: Have you eaten at this restaurant before?
I said: No.
She was surprised: Isn't this place very famous? You're a local in Shanghai and haven't eaten here?
I said: Because for locals, there are always xiaolongbao restaurants near their homes, and they are all delicious. There is no need to go to such expensive "famous restaurants" to eat.
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📌Lai Lai Xiaolong·Qiao Ai
📍Address: No. 506 Tianjin Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai
Lai Lai Xiaolong·Qiao Ai