What Are Shanghai Soup Dumplings and How Do You Eat Them?

When people think of takeout, they often think of two things: pizza and Chinese food. Chinese food is one of the most popular cuisines in the United States. General Tso’s chicken was the fourth-most popular food ordered on GrubHub in 2015.

But, many people don’t just order the chicken. They order an appetizer. Wonton soup was the fifth most-popularChinese food on GrubHub, while potstickers were the tenth.

The rise of wontons and potstickers has inspired Chinese restaurants to introduce new kinds of dumplings. Shanghai soup dumplings are a fast-growing menu item, yet many Americans remain unaware of them.

Get familiar with an exciting new dumpling today. Here is a quick guide to help you get started.

The Basics of Shanghai Soup Dumplings

“Shanghai soup dumplings” is the English translation of “xiao long bao,” which literally means “small basket buns.” They are steamed dumplings with thin skins. They contain a pork filling and gelatin made of meat broth.

As the dumplings steam, the broth liquefies. It poaches the pork in soup, creating a rich flavor and a light texture. Dumplings are served right after being cooked because the broth solidifies if it sits for too long.

Despite what the name suggests, Shanghai soup dumplings are not served in soup. Wontons are the dumplings that are.

You can fill the dumplings with crab meat, shrimp, or vegetables. The soup is traditionally meat-based, and you may not be able to ask for vegetable broth. Some doughs are leavened, while thinner dumplings may be unleavened.

Shanghai soup dumplings are never fried because that could burn the thin skins. If you want a crispier dumpling, you can order potstickers.

If you want a thicker dumpling with a fluffier bun, you can order baozi. They are buns with leavened dough and a meat filling.

Shanghai soup dumplings are an appetizer, not the main course. Many restaurants serve them as a component of dim sum, in which you order a range of small dishes. You can compliment soup dumplings with rice and vegetables.

How to Eat Soup Dumplings

The biggest challenge of Shanghai soup dumplings is eating them. If you bite right into one, they can break open and spill the soup. Since they’re served hot, you could burn yourself.

To eat dumplings, you need a plate, soup spoon, and chopsticks. You do want to eat them soon after they’re served to your table. Many restaurants serve them in a bamboo steamer basket.

Most restaurants serve dumplings with small bowls of dark vinegar and ginger. Do not dip them into the bowl. Scoop a little vinegar and a bit of ginger into your soup spoon.

Pick up the dumpling using your chopsticks. Don’t apply too much pressure. Place it on top of your vinegar and ginger.

If you can’t use chopsticks, you can use your fingers. Your dumpling may be stuck to the bottom of your steamer basket. If it is, you should slowly peel it off to avoid ripping the dough.

You can wait a few minutes for the dumpling to cool down. If you can’t wait, bite the dough along its top or poke a hole in it with your chopstick. This will let your dumpling release its steam.

Try to eat it in one bite. Chew down on the skin and allow the soup to release into your mouth. Swallow the soup alongside the meat for added richness.

Avoid serving the dumplings over rice or vegetables. They can break the skin, spilling the soup out. Eat those foods separately.

How to Cook Frozen Soup Dumplings

As pork soup dumplings become more popular, more suppliers like Thexcj.com are providing frozen ones. Soup dumplings aren’t hard to cook, making them perfect appetizers for parties or a quick meal.

Keep your dumplings frozen until you are ready to cook them. The gelatin in them will thaw if exposed to warmth, releasing the soup inside.

You need a liner and a steamer basket to cook the dumplings. You can use a steamer sheet, parchment paper, or cabbage leaf as a liner. Most steamer baskets are bamboo, and many suppliers of dumplings sell them alongside food.

Place the dumplings on top of the liner. Try to have the liner be as flat as possible. Steam rises, so dumplings that are higher than others may cook sooner.

Arrange the dumplings so they are three-quarters of an inch apart. Avoid having them touch the sides of the steamer.

Then place the steamer over a pot of water. As it boils, the steam remains within the bamboo walls and cooks them.

Cook the dumplings for 10 minutes. You can tap them gently with your finger to see if they are soft. If they seem hard, you can steam them a little longer.

Once they’re cooked, let the dumplings rest for one minute. Then serve them as you would in a Chinese restaurant.

If you don’t have vinegar, you can serve your dumplings with other dipping sauces. Place the sauce onto your soup spoon, then put the dumpling overtop.

The Best Dumplings

Dumplings are some of the most versatile foods on the planet. You can stuff anything into them. Shanghai soup dumplings are filled with delicious meats and rich broths.

Eat them carefully, since the soup can spill. Place them onto a soup spoon, release the steam, then plop them in your mouth.

You can cook frozen dumplings at home. Place them in a steamer basket and cook for 10 minutes. Be as careful eating them as you would in a restaurant.

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