Intro
Xiaolongbao in Shanghai are one of the city’s most famous dishes — delicate soup dumplings filled with pork and hot broth, wrapped in a thin skin and steamed in bamboo baskets.
You’ll find them everywhere from street-side shops to polished restaurant chains. Some are made in advance, others are folded to order, which is why queues can move slowly.
If you want to understand the different types of dumplings first, see the Shanghai dumplings guide.
For street food and classic xiaolongbao in a historic setting, see my Yu Gardens Shanghai guide.
What makes a good Xiaolongbao in Shanghai?
The best Xiaolongbao come down to a few simple things:
- Thin skin that holds without breaking
- Hot, flavourful broth inside
- Well-seasoned pork filling
- Freshly steamed to order
Some places focus on precision and consistency, others on speed and volume. Both can be good, just different experiences.
Short on time? Go to Din Tai Fung for comfort and consistency, or Jia Jia Tang Bao for some of the best value Xiaolongbao in Shanghai.
I visited Jia Jia recently and wrote a full review covering queues, prices, what to order and whether it really lives up to the hype.
Best Xiaolongbao in Shanghai
From famous queue-heavy spots to small local shops, these are some of the best places to try Xiaolongbao in Shanghai.
Jia Jia Tang Bao (佳家汤包)
One of the most famous Xiaolongbao spots in Shanghai, where dumplings are made continuously, so what you eat is often just minutes old. You’ll often see dumplings being wrapped in-store here, a clear sign they’re made fresh. It’s also something to look for at neighbourhood spots across Shanghai.
- Expect a queue
- Dumplings are folded fresh after you order
- Broth is rich and very hot
- ¥23 for 12 dumplings — exceptional value
This is one of the best value Xiaolongbao experiences in Shanghai and somewhere I would happily revisit. They have multiple locations but the original store where it all started is in Huangpu district.
I wrote a review after a recent visit if you would like to know more.
Din Tai Fung (鼎泰丰)
A global brand originitaing from Taipei, so it’s not actually Shanghainese, but still one of the most reliable places for Xiaolongbao in Shanghai.
- Extremely consistent
- Very thin skins
- Cleaner, more refined flavour
- Fresh ginger is always provided, ready to mix with black vinegar for dipping
More expensive than local spots, but easy for first-time visitors. Service is excellent and the place is spotless (good for people nervous about hygiene).
Nan Xiang Steamed Bun Restaurant (南翔馒头店)
If Xiaolongbao has a spiritual home in Shanghai, this is probably it. Nan Xiang is credited with inventing Xiaolongbao, and has been operating at Yu Gardens for over a century. It’s also recognised by Michelin, which tells you it’s not just tourist window dressing.
That said, manage your expectations on the dumplings themselves. They’re perfectly good — fresh, properly made and served with the standard ginger and vinegar — but they’re unlikely to surpass what you’d find at Jia Jia Tang Bao or a well-chosen local shop. The queues are real, the prices are steep — ¥40 for just 6 dumplings versus ¥23 for 12 at Jia Jia — and the atmosphere is unmistakably geared towards visitors.
But eating Xiaolongbao at Nan Xiang, on the third floor overlooking Yu Gardens, is a different kind of experience from a neighbourhood shop — and a legitimate one. If you’re visiting Yu Gardens anyway, it makes complete sense to go. Just don’t make a special trip purely for the dumplings.
- Michelin-recognised
- Historic setting inside Yu Gardens
- Historic atmosphere outweighs the dumplings themselves
- Expect tourist-level crowds and prices
For more on the full Yu Gardens experience, see my Yu Gardens Shanghai guide.
Fa Hua Tang Bao Guan (法华汤包馆)
A very good example of a lesser-known local spot that can rival the famous names. This small shop on Fa Hua Zhen Road makes dumplings fresh, so you’ll often wait while your order is prepared. The skin is thinner than average and the broth is rich without being too greasy. It’s not a destination in itself, but it’s exactly the kind of place you stumble across in Shanghai that ends up being a great meal. In my case, I found it by accident while visiting a nearby vet.
In terms of quality, I rate this as highly as Din Tai Fung but at a fraction of the cost. Admittedly, the environment will not be as luxurious, but the place is spotlessly clean, the staff are friendly and you’re getting a more local vibe.
This is just one of many examples of local shops that are as good as the famous tourist magnets for Xiaolongbao in Shanghai.
Local Chains
There are more modest chains that atttract mostly locals for quick, casual bites at affordable price points. You will find for example, branches of Lao Sheng Xing (老盛兴) all over the city. Quality is generally consistent, and you know what to expect, but they don’t have the same local feel as smaller shops.
Local neighbourhood shops
Many smaller shops (like Fa Hua Tang Bao Guan) serve excellent Xiaolongbao without the queues or hype.
- Faster service
- Slightly thicker skins
- More variation in quality
If you’re exploring beyond central areas, it’s worth trying a local place near you.
How to eat Xiaolongbao in Shanghai (properly)
Xiaolongbao are filled with hot soup, so don’t just bite straight in.
Typical approach:
- Pick up carefully with chopsticks
- Place in a spoon
- Bite a small hole to release steam
- Sip the soup
- Eat the rest
Black vinegar with ginger is the usual dipping sauce.
Xiaolongbao vs Shengjianbao
Xiaolongbao are often confused with Shengjianbao, but they’re very different.
- Xiaolongbao are steamed
- Shengjianbao are pan-fried with a crispy base
- Xiaolongbao have a delicate skin
- Shengjianbao are thicker and heavier
If you want a full breakdown, see the Shanghai dumplings guide.
What else to have
It’s perfcetly acceptable to just have a basket of steamed dumplings and nothing else, but there are usually a variety of other dishes you can order to go with your dumplings, depending on the venue. Common dishes include noodles, pork cutlet (similar to German Schnitzel), curried vermicceli with beef soup, steamed pork or vegetable buns and soya bean milk.
Final thoughts
There’s no single “best” Xiaolongbao in Shanghai. Famous places like Jia Jia Tang Bao and Din Tai Fung are reliable starting points, but some of the best dumplings are found in small, local shops. Jia Jia in particular punches well above its price point.
If you’re exploring Shanghai food, Xiaolongbao are one of the easiest and most rewarding dishes to try.
Explore more:
Shanghainese Food | Shanghai Dumplings Guide | Where to Eat in Shanghai | Yu Gardens