Dim sum dish explainer
Xiao Long Bao (小笼包 / 小籠包)
Soup dumplings filled with meat and hot broth. This page explains what it is, how to order it, how to eat it, and what dietary signals to check.
Quick definition
Xiao Long Bao (小笼包 / 小籠包 · xiǎo lóng bāo) is soup dumplings filled with meat and hot broth.
What it is made of
Wheat wrapper, pork or crab-pork filling, gelatinized broth, ginger, and seasoning.
Flavor and texture
| Dimension | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Flavor | Savory broth, pork richness, ginger, and vinegar if dipped. |
| Texture | Thin wrapper, juicy filling, and liquid broth inside. |
| Category | Soup dumplings |
How to order it
Technically Jiangnan rather than classic Cantonese dim sum, but now common on many broader dim sum menus.
How to eat it
Lift gently into a spoon, nibble or pierce to release steam, sip broth, then eat with ginger vinegar.
Dietary and allergy signals
Usually contains pork, wheat, and gelatinized meat broth. Crab versions contain shellfish.
For serious allergies or religious dietary requirements, ask the restaurant about fillings, sauces, wrappers, broth, cooking wine, lard, shared steamers, shared fryers, and shared prep surfaces.
Quality signs
The wrapper should hold soup without being thick. Broken dumplings in the basket are a warning sign.