Visit these establishments in the city-state – which range from humble hawker stalls to elegant restaurants – to feast on some delicious dumplings.
Singapore residents have a glut of options to choose from when it comes to Chinese dumplings. There are classic pan-fried dumplings, sheng jian bao with their golden-brown, crusty bottoms and juicy wantons smothered in fiery chilli oil and mouth-puckering black vinegar.
And then there are xiao long baos: tiny soup-filled parcels that are commonly stuffed with pork, have a delicate, almost translucent skin and are best enjoyed with black vinegar and fresh ginger. They’re typically served in a bamboo steamer and, especially in China, are often eaten for breakfast or as part of a dim sum feast.
From hawker centres to posh restaurants, you’ll find plenty of places to tuck into these delicious morsels. Some establishments put a modern spin on things by offering them in a rainbow of colours, while others kick things up a notch with ginormous xiao long baos that you’ll need a straw to consume.
In our humble opinion, a tour of Singapore’s best xiao long bao joints should begin with this beloved hawker stall at Chinatown Complex Food Centre. You’ll find snaking queues during peak periods, filled with customers eager to sink their teeth into the made-to-order xiao long baos, which feature a piping-hot stuffing of succulent pork and flavourful soup. If you’re feeling particularly hungry, you can also try their pan-fried dumplings and spicy wantons.
335 Smith Street, #02-135, Singapore 050335.
Precisely weighed and made with exactly 18 folds, Din Tan Fung’s famous dumplings are the stuff of legends. Among the many options on offer at this heavily frequented dumpling specialist are xiao long baos in a dizzying assortment of flavours: there’s the classic pork option, a chicken version, one made with crab meat and pork and a fragrant truffle and pork rendition. We suggest coming here with a group so that you can sample the lot.
Multiple locations in Singapore.
This Old Airport Road Food Centre mainstay is a solid pick to satisfy your xiao long bao cravings and is helmed by an owner who used to work in the kitchens of Crystal Jade. The dumplings are served in a bamboo steamer and boast a supple and chewy skin, steaming-hot soup with a slightly sweet undertone and juicy pork filling. It makes for a tasty meal, especially when paired with black vinegar and fresh ginger.
51 Old Airport Road, #01-109, Singapore 390051, tel: +65 8246 3160
On the fourth floor of Beauty World Centre, you’ll find an open-air food court housing some top-notch vendors: including the popular You Peng La Mian Zi Guan that specialises in Shanghainese cuisine. Order the signature xiao long baos, which are served in a bamboo steamer. They have a translucent skin and a generous soup and meat filling, and go well with some tangy black vinegar and aromatic fresh ginger slivers.
144 Upper Bukit Timah Road, #04-23, Singapore 588177, tel: +65 9239 1598
Shanghai La Mian Xiao Long Bao is situated within the bustling Alexandra Village Food Centre. The stall’s owner hails from China, and has over three decades of experience in crafting xiao long baos. Given this, it’s no surprise that the offerings here – which feature succulent minced pork and a broth that’s been painstakingly cooked for hours – are, in a word, delicious. They tend to sell out quickly, so come early to avoid disappointment.
120 Bukit Merah Lane 1, #01-56, Singapore 150120
This one’s for those who want something a little different. At Paradise Dynasty, the dumplings are given a colourful spin. Order the Specialty Dynasty Xiao Long Bao and you’ll get a bamboo steamer of eight xiao long baos in different hues (all extracted from natural ingredients).
On top of a classic white xiao long bao, you can tuck into an ochre foie gras xiao long bao, a black truffle xiao long bao, a green bitter gourd xiao long bao and an orange crab roe xiao long bao.
Multiple locations in Singapore.
Hong Peng La Mian Xiao Long Bao at People’s Park Food Centre has earned a Michelin stamp of approval for its scrumptious xiao long baos. The handmade, expertly wrapped delicacies are cooked upon order, boast a silky skin and are crammed with minced pork, delectable soup and chives to add some freshness. You can eat them with black vinegar and ginger shavings, and spice fans can add a touch of chilli sauce.
32 New Market Road, #01-1064, Singapore 050032, tel: +65 9083 5166
If it’s late at night and you’re in the mood for a xiao long bao feast, hoof it over to Swee Choon Tim Sum Restaurant’s main branch at Jalan Besar, which stays open until 4am. The xiao long baos are filled with well-seasoned ground pork and a rich soup that gushes out when you take a bite. They also offer seasonal flavours, with previous varieties including mala xiao long bao and truffle xiao long bao sporting a black charcoal skin.
Multiple locations in Singapore.
Situated along Holland Drive, this place is run by a chef who formerly pulled shifts at Crystal Jade and TungLok Group and has been making xiao long baos for over 20 years and counting. The small and sumptuous dumplings have a thin skin and are crammed with ground pork that’s been marinated in oyster sauce and a savoury broth. If you’re a big eater, the noodles are also worth a try.
46 Holland Drive, #01-359, Singapore 270046, tel:+65 8122 0720
Xiao long bao, but make it gigantic. Yechun Xiao Jiang Nan – which is located at Marina Square – doles out the dumplings in a super-sized version that you’ll require a straw to eat without wasting any of that precious soup. It’s made with minced pork and a briny crab roe broth – simply poke a hole with the straw and gently slurp up the soup before digging in. They also have a regular-sized option for those who aren’t up to the challenge.
6 Raffles Boulevard, #02-106A, Singapore 039594, tel: +65 6333 4038