Here’s basically everything you need to know about eating and enjoying Chinese and Taiwanese-style soup dumplings.
Dumplings are divinely delicious. And honestly, it’s like a gift to your taste buds. Once you’ve had one, it can be hard to resist eating the rest. But you know something? Sharing is caring. Whether you’re drooling about rolling up to dim sum for a Sunday brunch, or you want to experiment with something new in your home kitchen, here’s basically everything you need to know about eating and enjoying Chinese and Taiwanese-style soup dumplings. One more thing: they’re also called Xiao Long Bao or XLB; that is their proper name in their original language.
Eating Them with Graceful Skill
There are several more “refined” ways to eat soup dumplings. Of course, half the fun of experiencing xiao long bao is to slurp away without much decorum. But if you want to strive for the most authentic techniques, you must follow a set of steps very carefully. Once the bamboo steamer has arrived on your table, remove the lid. This allows the dumplings to cool down a little bit so they won’t scald your tongue. Use chopsticks to lift one of the dumplings out of the basket. Reach for the thickest part so you won’t drop it – a pro tip for anyone who isn’t used to using chopsticks.
After that, place the dumpling on a spoon. The big ceramic soup spoons you see at Chinese restaurants are going to be your best friend. Bite off the top of the dumpling or poke it with a single chopstick to make a tiny hole. By doing this, you’ll let out some steam and broth; why is that important? Again, it’s so you won’t burn your mouth. Slurp the soup, and then use your chosen spoon to devour the rest of the dumpling.
What You Shouldn’t Do When Eating XLB
As with many different types of social settings involving food, you should follow a set of etiquette rules. So, what are some of the no-nos that are frowned upon with XLB? Picking one up and depositing it into your mouth is a bad idea – the juice and everything will burst in your mouth like an overcooked tapioca bubble. This will, of course, hurt your mouth. Avoid using a fork. Even though that seems much “easier,” you’ll allow the soup to escape before you can taste it. And since the most common xiao long bao are bite-sized, eating them in multiple nibbles is discouraged.
You Can Eat Soup Dumplings without Chopsticks
And before you ask, yes, you can eat soup dumplings without using chopsticks. It’s not going to be easy, though. We’ve already discussed why chopsticks are good and why forks are bad. Spoons that are too small will also sabotage your enjoyment. A set of small tongs works just fine – and you could also dive in and use your fingers. Just be sure your hands are clean first!
Get All Your Asian Groceries at Lotte Plaza Market
Lotte Plaza Market is your go-to destination for all of your Korean and Asian grocery needs. With more than 10 Maryland and Virginia locations, this growing market is continually expanding and opening new markets to serve our customers better. Since we opened in 1976, our goal has always been to provide the best customer service and groceries to our customers. For answers to all of your questions, please email us at LottePlaza.com.