Truffle, shrimp, cheese xiao long bao at Crystal Jade

MANILA, Philippines – The xiao long bao or soup dumpling has been on menus all over the world for a while, but got more time in the spotlight when Crystal Jade and Lugang opened in Manila a few years ago. 

Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao previously reopened as Crystal Jade Shanghai Delight in Greenhills, and with it came a more casual dining setting and a few more menu items – notably, flavored xiao long bao, which are characterized by their vibrant, colorful skins in pink, vivid green, and shades of orange and yellow. 

They aren’t included in the restaurant’s ongoing dimsum all-you-can-eat promo, but this is an alternative to the regular pork xiao long bao.  

You can opt to order the mixed set, a set of five xiao long bao, which has one of each available flavor, or you can order them per piece – as long as you get at a minimum of 5 pieces. 

Of these, the cheese and the spicy beef dumplings have the most distinct and bold flavors, while the bean curd and vegetable xiao long bao is the most different in terms of texture.

Those who like the more traditional pork xiao long bao might prefer the light seafood twist found in the shrimp version. Don’t worry, the spicy chicken and beef options are not strikingly spicy at all – fine for most taste buds. 

The brightly colored wrappers are there to distinguish the flavors – and of course, for visual impact. There’s no overpowering taste to them.  

Separately, you can also order the black truffle-flavored dumpling, as well as the foie gras xiao long bao – there are 3 pieces in each order. The flavors here are very subtle, however, so expect only a hint of the truffle and foie.

The famous dumplings, with their distinct shape, translucent skin, and trademark folds up top, are known for the flavor explosion you get when you bite a small hole in the skin, from which flows the piping hot broth that surrounds the meat inside. 

The broth is actually pork stock made from skin and bones – when cooled or frozen, it’s in gel/solid form, and steaming right before serving turns it into its thick liquid “soup” inside.  

The best soup dumplings don’t break open the minute you touch it with chopsticks – though the skin is thin and translucent, it should hold up against the pressure of your utensils. Hold lightly and drop onto a soup spoon, dip lightly in the vinegar-and-ginger sauce (or not!), savor the soup first – then gulp it down. 

There’s an ongoing all-you-can-eat dim sum promotion set for weekday dinners at Crystal Jade Shanghai Delight at P488+ per person (note: flavored xiao long bao are not included). This is at the Greenhills branch – not to be mistaken for Crystal Jade Dining In, which is located at The Fort. – Rappler.com

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