"This Northern Chinese spot in Rosemead from the Ji Rong people specializes in guan tang bao, which are like xiao long bao after bulking season, with thicker wrappers and richer broth. The pork and crab ones are what you want (they even get a little star next to their name on the menu). Each one glows yellow from the sweet, gravy-like crab broth pumped inside, accompanied by a generous amount of minced pork and crab filling that absorbs the soup like a sponge. Just keep in mind you might have to wait a while for a table on busy nights—Good Alley gives Din Tai Fung a run for its money in more ways than one." - sylvio martins, garrett snyder, cathy park, andrew ryce