Best xiaolongbao restaurants in Shanghai

Although all flour-wrapped, meat- or vegetable-filled Chinese snacks are known as “dumplings” to the world, each of them has a distinctive Chinese name and history, and xiaolongbao, or xiaolong, is hands down the most distinguished homegrown dumpling for Shanghai.

In fact, xiaolongbao -- which were supposedly invented by a street vendor in the late 19th century -- have become so popular that they are a Chinese food icon in Asia and around the world.

Here are five of the best locations in Shanghai to hunt down the most authentic taste of the soup dumplings -- and each of them has stood the test of time.

Nan Xiang Xiaolong Mantou (南翔小笼馒头)

This venue boasts all the xiaolongbao experience one could expect: long queues, yummy dumplings and swift xiaolong makers folding furiously behind the glass.

Nan Xiang Xiaolong Mantou near the City God Temple (城隍庙) in Shanghai’s old town is more than 100 years old. It is the classic introductory experience to some of the best xiaolongbao, the city’s most iconic food.

Take it all in: the jostling crowds, the long lines (in case you missed the Shanghai World Expo) and the dexterous dumpling makers folding furiously behind the glass.

We recommend you skip takeaway (first floor) and the casual second floor dining level, and go straight to the third floor, where the Shanghainese waitresses are a little more experienced. 

Put up with the crowds and try this historic xiaolongbao shop just once. Nanxiang’s crab roe-filled xiaolong are decadent but balanced in flavor with an extra hint of scallion. They are especially good during the hairy crab, or dazha crab, season in September and October.

The skins of Nanxiang xiaolongbao are of moderate thickness and the dumplings of ample size. Just remember to avoid the ridiculous “giant xiaolongbao” filled entirely with fatty broth that you suck out with a straw. Not worth your dignity.

More on CNNGo: Shanghai's best hairy crab dishes

Nan Xiang Xiaolong Mantou, 85 Yuyuan Lao Lu, near Fuyou Lu 豫园老路85号, 近福佑路, + 86 21 6355 4206, 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m.

De Xing Guan (德兴馆)

De Xing Guan's xiaolongbao has filled up Shanghai bellies since the Qing dynasty.

“The chef must be in love,” jokes Restaurant Review magazine editor Rica Lou (娄睿佳), who recommends the venue. “These xiaolongbao have gotten sweeter and better.”

At De Xin Guan, a well-known noodle shop that’s been filling up Shanghai bellies since the Qing dynasty, they serve a traditional Shanghai xiaolongbao with a rich meat filling that is almost as popular as De Xin Guan's signature dishes: pork trotter noodles and mini wontons in soup.

De Xing Guan’s xiaolongbao are juicy and of good value -- expect a generous size and a big flavor from the rich, fatty pork filling and a thicker, Shanghainese style xiaolongbao skin to hold it in.

The regular pork xiaolongbao alongside a bowl of green onion-topped chicken and duck blood soup make for a cheap and tasty breakfast.

More on CNNGo: Shanghai's oldest restaurants

De Xin Guan, 471 Guangdong Lu, near Fujian Zhong Lu 广东路471号, 近福建中路, +86 21 6352 2535, 6:30 a.m-9:30 p.m.