Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao (Da'an)

Chinese restaurant · Guangming

1

Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao (Da'an) by null
Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao (Da'an) by null
Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao (Da'an) by null
Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao (Da'an) by null
Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao (Da'an) by null
Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao (Da'an) by null
Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao (Da'an) by null
Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao (Da'an) by null
Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao (Da'an) by null
Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao (Da'an) by null
Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao (Da'an) by null
Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao (Da'an) by null
Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao (Da'an) by null
Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao (Da'an) by null
Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao (Da'an) by null
Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao (Da'an) by null
Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao (Da'an) by null
Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao (Da'an) by null
Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao (Da'an) by null
Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao (Da'an) by null
Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao (Da'an) by null
Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao (Da'an) by null
Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao (Da'an) by null
Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao (Da'an) by null
Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao (Da'an) by null
Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao (Da'an) by null
Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao (Da'an) by null
Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao (Da'an) by null
Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao (Da'an) by null
Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao (Da'an) by null
Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao (Da'an) by null
Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao (Da'an) by null
Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao (Da'an) by null
Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao (Da'an) by null
Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao (Da'an) by null
Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao (Da'an) by null
Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao (Da'an) by null
Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao (Da'an) by null
Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao (Da'an) by null
Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao (Da'an) by null
Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao (Da'an) by null
Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao (Da'an) by null
Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao (Da'an) by null
Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao (Da'an) by null

Highlights

Hearty dumplings, soups, and noodle dishes; light XLB

Featured on Michelin
Placeholder

No. 19, Section 2, Hangzhou S Rd, Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106 Get directions

NT$200–400 · Menu

Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao (Da'an)

"This popular soup dumpling shop was born over 20 years ago after its owners were taught how to make xiao long bao by a Shanghainese chef. Only the freshest pork hind leg cuts are used as the filling and the dumpling ‘skin’ is made simply with flour and water. Their soup-squirting dumplings are also known for their lightness. The red bean pancake uses two kinds of red beans in its silky filling which is complemented by a crisp sesame pastry crust." - Michelin Inspector

View Postcard for Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao (Da'an)

tomoco k

Google
This Xiaolongbao restaurant has been featured in magazines. I was able to spend a relaxing time in the lively restaurant. Please note that payment is cash only. Small dishes, drinks, tableware, and sauces are self-serve.

Jessica

Google
Crab roe XLB were good. I didn’t care for the flavor of the pot stickers and the beef roll was really dry/not much beef inside. Overall it was fine. But there are much better out there. Price is a bit higher for what it is.

Doris Carballo

Google
so I thought the potstickers with the sauce were super tasty, perfectly crispy with a flavorful sauce that paired really well. I also enjoyed the soup dumpling, though the filling was a bit too soft for my personal taste. We were seated and served very quickly, and overall it was worth trying to see what the hype is about. That said, I probably wouldn’t return, but it’s definitely worth a visit if you’re curious.

LS SPK

Google
Cash and semi-selfservice for utensils, sauces, water bottle. Scan QR Code to place an order and carry paper to pay at the couter when you finish. All dishes that were ordered was surprisingly very good quality and tasty for little price. Lots of people you need to share tables with with other but it wasn't a kind of place for sitting and chilling anyway. Eat & Go place.

Leif “Shadow Drake” Bornales

Google
The xiao long bao was the main star of this restaurant. Juicy, soupy and just the right amount of meat. There is no question why it has the michelin seal of approval for 5 consecutive years. The red bean pancake is also a must try.

Hsin-Ying

Google
For the price, the food is decent. The flavors are great, but I was expecting the xiao long bao to be a bit juicier. The skin was a little thicker than I’d like. I’d also skip the crab, it was a bit dry. Overall, the food is average, but considering the pricing, it’s not bad.

Oliver Bayley

Google
I enjoyed my meal here after a visit to the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial, which is close by. Perhaps because of the location and various reviews, the restaurant seems very popular with international visitors, so I imagine it can become very busy - however there is a seating system. We visited closer to when their lunchtime business hours would finish, and our wait was short. As a layman and no expert in Chinese food I thought the food was good, and definitely enjoyed the meal - however don't go expecting this to be a cheap meal (even if I have read that it is cheaper than other, more famous restaurants.) Our meal arrived quickly. Service was fast and efficient - but don't expect to go here for ambience or a slow, cosy experience! Cutlery, water, and sauces are self service.

Elle Yang

Google
Didn't have to wait too long for a table for 1 person. The food was served quick after placing order. Overall , a tasty meal.
google avatar

Joseph H.

Yelp
What an amazing place to get soup dumplings. We were brought here by a relative, and we were pleasantly surprised to learn that it was right behind the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. We arrived around 7:30pm, and there was a long line. We reserved our spot on the waitlist, though it took about an hour before our turn. There is no waiting area other than outside the restaurant, so be prepared to stay on your feet for a while. We were mainly here for the soup dumplings, so we ordered several rounds. After about 10-15 minutes, the food came out for us to enjoy. Everything that we tried was delicious. We ordered a bit extra to ensure everyone had enough to eat. The inside of the restaurant is not large, but it's also not small. There are a few tables for two people, some for small groups, and a couple of larger tables for big parties in the back. During my time on the waitlist, I had to use the restroom. The hostess was kind enough to let me use the restroom at the back of the restaurant. Overall, we had a wonderful time here and genuinely enjoyed the food. We highly recommend this restaurant for their soup dumplings, especially if you're in the area or visiting CKS Memorial Hall one day! __________________________________________________________________________________ [Google翻譯] 這是一個吃湯餃子的絕佳地點。我們被親戚帶到這裡,驚喜地得知它就在中正紀念堂後面。 我們大約在晚上 7:30 到達,那裡排起了長隊。我們在候補名單上保留了位置,儘管等了大約一個小時才輪到我們。餐廳外面沒有等候區,所以請做好站立一會兒的準備。 我們來這裡主要是為了吃湯餃,所以我們點了幾輪。大約 10-15 分鐘後,食物就出來了,供我們享用。我們嘗試的每樣東西都很美味。我們多點了一些以確保每個人都有足夠的食物。 餐廳內部空間不算大,但也不算小。有幾張雙人桌,有些適合小團體,後面還有幾張大桌子,適合大型聚會。在等候期間,我不得不去洗手間。女主人很好心地允許我使用餐廳後面的洗手間。 總的來說,我們在這裡度過了愉快的時光,並且真正享受了這裡的食物。我們強烈推薦這家餐廳的湯餃,特別是如果你在該地區或有一天參觀中正紀念堂!
google avatar

Adrienne L.

Yelp
This casual Michelin Bib Gourmand spot is definitely not comparable to Din Tai Fung, but it was a satisfying meal for a reasonable price, and we had no wait at lunchtime. I liked the thinner skin on the xiao long bao, but found that it broke too easily. The broth in the pork XLB was average for me. I enjoyed the crab roe XLB better, but overall found the flavors to be forgettable. The red bean pancake and small sides were fine. Service wasn't great. We eventually figured out that you order via QR code and pay at the counter afterwards.
google avatar

George F.

Yelp
Hangzhou XLB is about 1/2 a mile from Din Tai Fung ( original store ) and is good alternative. Located just outside of CKS Memorial Park it's not as fancy and the service is nothing like DTF but the XLBs are very good. The side dishes and other entrees are totally different. The internet has made Hangzhou just as popular though, at peak hours the wait could be 30 min. They have English translation on their picture menu for foreign tourists but the ordering sheet is Chinese only. We ordered all of the XLBs and the best one was the loofah XLB. Also the clams & loofah is excellent. The stinky tofu and the crab roe tofu casserole was good too. All of the tables are stools some are full length and some tables are the lower squatty kind. Service is a little hectic and they are cash only.
google avatar

PeiJen C.

Yelp
Soup dumplings are the most popular dishes in Taiwan. Chinese squash, and shrimp dumplings are also popular ones for the locals must try! Speedy Service and very popular place for dumplings. Come early is strongly recommended.
google avatar

Benjamin K.

Yelp
Dumplings here are decent, but they're no 鼎泰豐 (Din Tai Fung). Solid, reliable restaurant and food quality, though. The restaurant itself is basic--dated wooden furniture and decorations--but this is fine and on par with other such establishments. Service is nary more than showing you your seat, taking your order, delivering your food: you get your own utensils and condiments, and then walk up to the till afterwards to pay. The dumplings are good, but I found the filling of their standard 小籠包 to be small and lacking, and the soup inside the dumpling is perhaps overly "fatty"/gelatinous (that lip-smacking mouthfeel), a thicker richer broth than say 鼎泰豐 (which is almost soupy inside). I found that I had to have some ginger/vinegar/soysauce with the dumplings, or else they tasted a little too oily/bland: the acid helps cut through that. The bamboo shoot and shrimp dumplings are also good, but a bit pricey for just four per basket. And the sour plum drink was pretty good, though I suspect there was quite a lot of sugar in it. Overall, I'm keeping it in my starred list, but I don't think I would trek across the city just to specifically eat here. Will still leave the rating at 4 stars, as value is still good: $180 for 8 dumplings. The other items--vegetables, etc--seemed to be rather overpriced, so I didn't order today.
google avatar

Jenny V.

Yelp
The service was horrible, there's one young lady, kept rushing us and giving attitude. The food was okay. Definitely had better xiao long baos. The beef wraps were small. Nothing special I would go back for.

Jacob K.

Yelp
Food was great lady was very friendly. We didn't speak the language but she did a great job helping us tourists out.
google avatar

Peter P.

Yelp
We went here based on a recommendation from a friend who grew up nearby and omg... This is seriously the BEST XLB ever! I thought DTF was good but Hang Zhou may have ruined XLB for me forever. The pork flavor is just so much more intense and the dumplings are the juiciest I've had. This is definitely one of the things I'll miss about Taiwan the most. FYI they don't speak any English. Cash only. When it's crowded you have to grab a number from guy at the front.
google avatar

Lynn V.

Yelp
Soup dumplings! So many choices and they have pictures. For a tourist who no knowledge of the Chinese language, this helped a lot as I was able to point exactly to what I wanted. They also have other dim sum dishes. The eggplant side dish was so fresh and yummy. I loved everything and kept it under 30 usd for 4 people! Love the prices. Great location, near the Chiang kai shek memorial as well!

Jessie C.

Yelp
Delicious Xiao Long Bao with great options and great prices. There were many side dish options available and only for 50 NTD each. Loved how good quality the food was and low the prices were. Right by the Chiang Kai Shek memorial hall and went there for a nice evening walk after!
google avatar

Kristy C.

Yelp
Whoever said this was an equivalent to Din Tai Fung should be punished! This is nowhere close to DTF.. The Xiao Long Bao's have this weird taste to it, possibly mixed with some sort of vegetable that isn't necessarily palatable for all kinds of tourists. The beef scallion pancake was actually no match for Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao in NYC, Flushing. If I could get better food in NY than in Taipei then there's clearly something wrong here. The only dish I enjoyed was the Turnip cake, but I have had better in other breakfast spots around Taipei. The service was also whack, the tables were dirty and the seating was uncomfortable. I wouldn't go out of my way to try this place, but if you are in the area and want to try a different spot, don't get your hopes up and compare this to DTF.
google avatar

Dan M.

Yelp
Of course while in Taiwan, we knew that we had to eat some delicious XLBs and were in the constant search of finding a solid joint. We had ended up hitting up DTF which was really solid as well and decided to check this place out as well as it was relatively close to the hotel I was staying at. Arrived right around lunch time and this is definitely more of a "no frills" place but that is definitely part of the charm. There was no wait when we arrived and there are multiple tables within the joint itself. The chairs itself are very very low to the ground which was interesting but there was plenty of space to order a lot of food. The servers were quick and efficient and fairly nice even though we did not speak any of the language. They give you large menus that have plenty of pictures to help you figure out what it is you are looking for. After perusing, decided to go with the beef roll, pan fried dumplings, multiple types of XLBs, and a turnip cake to wrap it all up. All the food came out fairly quickly and everything was just plain solid. The beef roll was delicious without overpowering on the hoisin sauce. The pan fried dumplings were delicious and comes with a side dipping sauce which I was a fan with. The meat inside was cooked perfectly and was solid. The XLBs have slightly thicker skin than those at DTF but were still close in flavor. The price is of course much cheaper than DTF so it was a welcome meal. There is a self serve of the ginger and condiments and same with the drinks which you just have to tally at the end. This is a solid no frills, cheap, and delicious meal. Definitely worth checking out and has more of a "local feel" than DTF.
google avatar

Alan K.

Yelp
Hang Zhou was on my list to try, and since Din Tai Fung was mobbed (as usual), I hopped in a cab to drop in and get some of those sweet, sweet dumplings. I'll say it's been a while since I've had DTF xiao long baos, so I don't know if my memory is good enough to really compare them. But Hang Zhou makes a damn fine XLB. In my opinion, what matters isn't perfectly identical dumplings or measurements down to the gram, it's just plain hard to go wrong with a well executed dumpling of any type, and they were serving plenty here. I also tried the pork, shrimp, and cucumber steamed dumplings and the shumai with shrimp and crab roe. All were really delicious, and when it comes to flipping tables and getting people in the door, they have it down to a science. It was a packed house with a line, and I only waited about 5-10 minutes as a solo diner. Taipei is kind of like a dumpling mecca and my own personal dumpling paradise, and Hang Zhou is a great place to get a fix.
google avatar

Eddie H.

Yelp
I couldn't wait for soup dumplings anymore and had to wait for my mom to get to Taipei for our traditional Din Tai Fung visit so I looked online and found this place also mentioned in the Michelin Guide. It's around the side of CKC Memorial Hall and pretty easy to spot by the line. I came on a Sunday at 2:30pm but a bus load of Korean tourists had just descended so it was about a 35-40 minute wait. I placed my order and handed it over when I was seated. This place is more causal, more chaotic, less refined but cheaper and with a different menu than DTF so it was a nice experience. I ordered the soup dumplings, the shrimp dumplings, the turnip cake, pork ribs and a tofu soup. I was sharing the table and they also ordered the clams with vegetables which also looked amazing. I think their soup dumplings aren't as juicy as DTF but the other items that DTF doesn't have were great. If you want a change of pace definitely check this place out.
google avatar

Jacqueline C.

Yelp
Super low key compared to Din Tai Fung but the XLBs are just as good! Came here for lunch on a week day just before a line started forming, turnover is quick however. The XLBs are totally worth a try! The wrapper is just slightly thicker than the ones from DTF but they taste just as good and at a fraction of the price! We also tried the crispy dumplings and shu mai. They're good but nothing mind blowing. I'd come back for the XLBs again! Some tips: after you order, grab your own utensils, bowl and condiments (including vinegar, soy sauce, ginger, etc.) from the station next to the fridge. You also help yourself to the cold appetizers from the fridge. To pay for your meal, head to the counter near the entrance and tell them your table number. Enjoy!
google avatar

Jason P.

Yelp
Everything I read, there is a debate on what is better, DTF or Hang Zhou so I have to try out both. Both the XLB and other food options are very good, DTF has much better service, but its also cheaper. I probably prefer DTF due to the service, but Hang Zhou is still great and totally worth the wait as there no famous place in Taipei that doesn't have a line. Hang Zhou is near the National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall so its pretty easy to get to, and a great place to go after sight seeing. The line is shorter than what you get at DTF and it goes quicker so I didn't have to wait long to get it. Ordering is a little complicated as there no English order sheet so you have to match the character from the English menu. This is a self service kind of place, so you have to get your own sauce. The food comes out pretty quickly. There is no half order options here so only got three things, the XLB, the shrimp shu mai, and the pork short ribs. I feel that the XLB is as good as DTF, though the shrimp shu mai is better at DTF. The pork ribs is pretty good, better than other dim sum places where I had it. The prices was pretty cheap, all these for around 15 bucks.
google avatar

Jennifer O.

Yelp
I visited in the middle of the afternoon after a long morning of walking. There was a substantial wait and I was confused by the process (you have to go to the counter and put your name on the list, it isn't an actual line outside FYI). I got a table and decided to try xlb (of course) and beef pancake. Both were very tasty. The portions were large and the quality was high. I would definitely recommend visiting if you're in the area!
google avatar

Lilly C.

Yelp
If Ding Tai Fung is where the tourists eat then this is where the locals go. It cost 1/3 less than DTF and there isn't a 1.5 hr wait for lunch. I got their xiao long bao and it is just as good if not better. The outer peel is a hairline thicker than DTF but this is Taiwanese food so there are no rules. I also got their butternut squash and winter squash dumplings. All very good! There are those snobs that say Ding Tai Fung is better but I think its all the emperor's new clothing. Xiao long bao is actually a mainland China dish so those that say " oh only DTF" has the true authentic Taiwanese taste are all blow smoke up your rear end..... Eat here. Your stomach and your wallet will thank you for it!
google avatar

Wells L.

Yelp
Found this place late one night after a night of climbing. For comparison, I think din tai Fung is ridiculously overrated and this place blows it out the water. Not only do they have English on their menu, but pictures as well. This helps a ton for tourists. Their Xiao long bao have a slightly thicker skin than and a more substantial meat filling than ding tai Fung (which I prefer). They're also open late, and have all my staple comfort foods like the beef pancake roll and radish cakes. They're also open late, which is a huge plus.
google avatar

Marilyn T.

Yelp
Years ago, we tried to come for dinner on a weekend, and the line was too long. We came for a weekday lunch this time and it was full, but turnover was pretty quick, and we didn't have to wait. After you order, you get your own utensils, condiments (ginger, vinegar, soy sauce, hot sauce) and cold dishes from the fridge (we got marinated cucumbers and a dish with tiny fish in it). Napkins (more like tissues) are in a dispenser on the wall. Note: I usually bring my own water bottle and napkins when I eat out in Taiwan. I'm not sure you can get water there ... Anyway, into food - - XLB: solid - good thin skin, good broth - Crab XLB: I don't think I've ever had a crab version that I thought was worth the extra cost - Green squash and shrimp XLB: LOVED this - the skin is a little different, and it's less soupy, but it was my favorite - Beef wrapped in scallion pancake: the pancake was nice and thin. It could have used more sauce - Steamed cabbage: interesting dish - it was literally steamed cabbage leaves topped with some mushrooms and other stuff. It was a good light vegetable dish - Radish cake: super solid - there was actual grated radish that you could taste, flavor was great, and the texture was light. I do wish it had more of a seat outside - Hot and sour soup: good flavor, but I'm not a fan of the pork blood Food comes out very quickly. The menus have both Chinese and English, and I saw some tourists there. Note: the bathrooms are actually really clean, and they have a real toilet (also a squatting option) for women. They also have soap and a dyson for hand washing (sounds like a low bar, but hey it's Taiwan). I would definitely recommend trying this place. Everyone only hears about DTF, but there are many other solid XLB options. Definitely try the squash and shrimp one!
google avatar

Sharon C.

Yelp
Next to the fame and shine of Din Tai Fung, which Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao is often compared to, this place is a lot more low key yet still serves up delicious and steaming XLB. I came here with two friends on the Saturday night after Taipei Pride around 7pm and the wait was about half an hour. We ordered two baskets of the original XLB, one of the crab and pork, shumai, the beef stuffed scallion pancake, and the steamed lettuce. I loved the original more than the crab and pork combo. It was light, juicy, and super easy to eat in one bite. I would recommend trying their dim sum dishes if you want to get more than just XLB. Like I said, Hang Zhou XLB is very lowkey, especially since it's a local joint. You make your own dipping sauce at the sauce bar and grab your own utensils. There's good and efficient service, but nothing fancy. Great place to satisfy a XLB craving when you're in town.
google avatar

Kao-Ying C.

Yelp
Considered the direct competitor to Din Tai Fung for best Xiao Long Bao/ Soup dumpling. Dumpling wise the skin is a tad thicker but otherwise it's still a great place to get some dumplings at a lower price. The main difference I would say is that you shouldn't expect a 5 star service or an upscale seating area. This is just your average restaurant in Taiwan. Which I love. *** Value 2 Food ratio (money's worth of food) *** Service **** Food Quality *** Environment - Value 2 food ratio The average amount of food you would expect for the price you are paying for. - Service Normal service you would expect from a family and friend run restaurant. They are pretty fast with getting you your food. - Food Quality Consistent high quality dumplings. Not sure about the other dishes since I only ordered the dumplings - Environment Your typical taiwanese restaurant. Tip Try some of their other dumplings and the desserts buns!
google avatar

Sharvari J.

Yelp
This was one of the first meals we had in Taipei and it was incredible. The XLB was obviously the highlight but the vegetable and pork pan fries dumpling were also exceptional. Having not yet gone to DTF, I cannot compare the two but Hang Zhou XLB was delicious, affordable and had no wait. One of the best meals I had during my trip!
google avatar

Lisa T.

Yelp
OMG eat here instead of Din Tai Fung! No disrespect to DTF, as I love it as well but can get it back home in California. This spot is SO delicious, no wait, and way more inexpensive NOM
google avatar

Adriana S.

Yelp
If I'm to take my friends to any xiao long bao-place, this is the one. It's local, cheap and the food is really, really good. The staff is super nice, and so is the waiting crowd outside. You might get a shitty, uncomfortable table, but you know what..deal with it. It's worth it! Figure out what you want to eat while you're waiting to be seated, plot it down on the ordering sheet and hand it over while seated. If you can't read the characters on the menu, simply find the picture menu on the wall (visible from the outside), find what looks good and find the corresponding characters on the sheet. Easy as that! All the sauces you'll find by different tables along the walls, just looks for them and load up on what you want. Whatever you want of drinks or vegetables are in the fridge, and you just go and grab what you want. The price will be calculated as you leave, but trust me, it's cheap. Much cheaper that DTF. Enjoy!
google avatar

Albert W.

Yelp
Went here to get my 小笼包 fix, and was pleasantly surprised. The food here is solid: good quality and a pretty reasonable price. Not mind blowingly good, but definitely can stand up to Din Tai Fung. The other dim sum items are no slouch either: while the menu is noticeably smaller than other restaurants, the selection it has is decent enough: the pumpkin taro dumplings are a must-try, along with the crab roe小笼包 and the 烧卖. Although the restaurant is pretty sizeable, it gets really crowded at mealtimes, so be prepared to wait a little bit.
google avatar

Ryan S.

Yelp
Poor man's Din Tai Fung..... or more specifically, a traditional Taiwanese dumpling place where the dumplings are as good as (arguably) Din Tai Fung, but the ambiance and service are not. Tips for non-locals, especially if you don't speak Chinese: There are taller tables with taller chairs in the back. Look for the white people :-) The tables in the front are old-school where you basically squat on the floor. If you aren't used to that, it is uncomfortable. If you are used to it, it is still uncomfortable. The side dishes and drinks in the cooler are self-serve. Grab what you want. When I was there in June 2015 the basic side dishes are 50NT each. The beef dish is 150NT and the fish is 250NT. Don't be afraid to wave the servers over. The younger ones will speak English. There is a paper on the table where you write down your order. You write the number of items you want in the box next to the name. If you never did this before, get help from a server if you do not have a Chinese speaker with you. Note too: The menu has a picture for the item, a number and the name in English as well as Chinese. The paper you write the order on has neither English NOR the number. So you will have to match the Mandarin characters by eye! It isn't hard, but still..... The dumplings should be eaten with a dipping sauce. Here you get it yourself. They have a couple of stations around. There are three ingredients: soy sauce, vinegar and ginger. If you never did this before mix the soy sauce and vinegar in the little dipping plate about equal parts each. If you like the tang of vinegar up the ratio as high as 3 vinegar to 1 soy sauce. If you do not like vinegar you can not use any, or just add a little. Then put in some ginger to soak. There is also chili sauce (red hot sauce) which you can add (or not) to taste. When you get the dumplings (XiaoLongBao) take one out, put it in the dipping sauce. Grab out a little ginger to put on top of it. Transfer to a soup spoon. If you are worried the interior might be too hot, poke it and let the liquid fill the spoon. Eat. Repeat. When you are done go up to the counter and pay. It is noisy, not that cool (open air with AC units and fans), uncomfortable seating, and the sides are good and cheap, but nothing new or innovative. But! It is cheap, the dumplings are really really gooooooood. They have some variations not at Din Tai Fung (like Crab Roe).... And it is about 30% cheaper than Din Tai Fung..... maybe 50% depending on what all you order. Oh, and the location is great for visitors. If you are running around Taipei sampling places to eat, this is one to try for sure.
google avatar

Sherri D.

Yelp
So this is the place that is supposed to rival Din Tai Fung in Taiwan.. if I had not had DTF before this place would be first place.. but they're second. Definitely lower prices and the skin is thin.. but my favorite XLB is the crab roe and this place is a bit fishy tasting which is where they fall second. Their original XLB is juicy and meaty, also a portion of the price. This place does not have as long of a line as DTF but you should still be prepared to wait. We waited twice and only made it in one time, as the first people in line. The other time we got too hungry and went to the place around the corner for subpar dumplings.
google avatar

Jiahui L.

Yelp
Crab and pork XLB (4 stars): juicy, strong crab flavor, more soup than original, thin skin. Original XLB (3 stars): thin skin, thick collageny soup but not much of it. Pork was not as juicy as I would have liked. Custard buns (3 stars): good custard flavor but low custard to bun ratio. Also prefer the runny salty version but this is the only one they have. Service is nice and efficient. Only waited about 5-10 min for 2 on a Saturday at 11:30am.
google avatar

Esther W.

Yelp
When I travel to Taiwan, I generally just follow my mom around and not have a clue about where I am. This year (since I'm supposed to be a grown adult dammit) I decided to pay better attention to the restaurants where I eat. And by that, I mean take pictures of the restaurant name somewhere so I can write a review. But here I am! Taking pictures of the restaurant works well enough as I am now writing a review. My mom didn't want to deal with the crowds at DTF so she led me here. We were given a number on a ticket and a menu where you write down the number of servings you want for each menu item. Our wait, when we came around the lunch rush, wasn't too bad and the food was served almost immediately since we ordered "ahead." There are also side dishes you can get on your own in the fridge. There's a beverage fridge as well. We ordered the hot and sour soup (so different from the ones in Maryland!) and the xiao long baos. I thought that they were kind of small, but the skin was good and so was the broth.
google avatar

Nelson L.

Yelp
We have eight hungry people. We basically order almost everything on the manual. It is a very busy restaurant. Long line up but can preselect what you want first. This is our 10th time here. All the their different types of 小籠包 are very delicious. I liked the original one the most. Don't like the 蟹粉小籠包, smells too fishy for me. The tofu soup is a bit oily but is good. The steam cabbage is a must. We ordered ordered three dishes. Loved their free diced ginger with hot sauce. BTW don't expect much service, you have do as lot on your own like getting your tea, drinks, sauces, chopsticks. The reason I didn't give them full score is because their quality has dropped from previous experience. Maybe because all the food cost has increased n their price just raise a bit.
google avatar

Cécile T.

Yelp
I love Xiao Long Bao and was so happy when Taiwanese friends took us there! The dumplings were delish. The pot stickers were tasty and just crunchy enough and not too greasy, the pork xiao long bao and the shrimp ones were great.We also had some century eggs, and some delicious soup (sadly I can't remember what was inside but it did go very well with the meal). Service was good. Sometimes you have to wait for your table but you can pick what you want to eat and order even before you're seated so it's still fairly quick and easy. Drinks are self serve, so go grab a beer and enjoy a delicious meal! Price is very good too - cheaper than Din Tai Fung (less classy though, but I don't really care haha)
google avatar

Danny P.

Yelp
Great soup dumplings. Very lean, healthy tasting meat, which is great beacuse it doesn't taste as fattening as other soup dumpling places. Try the cucumber XLB for something new
google avatar

DD C.

Yelp
We've been @ this restaurant several times after I first reviewed it for TripAdvisor in November 2012. Tonight on February 26, 2017, I can see the place was even hotter than it was: packed with a long waiting line. The XiaoLongBao (小籠湯包, $4.90) was juicy and tasty. It's hot but not going to burn your tongue. Pan-Fried Dumpling (三鮮鍋貼, $5.30) was yummy as usual. We also ordered baked scallion-stuffed sesame biscuit(蟹殼黃, $0.65 per piece) and Hot & Sour Soup (酸辣湯, $1.65). Very good. The total for two of us was mere $13; what a bargain! The restaurant has a menu with English and pictures. Very easy to order what you like/want. Worth a visit.
google avatar

Joseph H.

Yelp
It's good but it is expensive with tourist prices. Virtually no locals were there when I visited, despite reviews to the contrary. Instead it was filled mostly with Japanese tourists (they even had a Japanese speaking server for them), and some westerners. However, it is "local-style" with grab your own drink, sauce, and side dishes. Portions seemed relatively small to me.
google avatar

Audrey _.

Yelp
Oh my God!!!! Taiwanese food is so good ! I felt in love with these xiao longbao , these place is a must go if you are visiting taipei ! The place is close to the chiang kai shek memorial hall and food is affordable ! They have a menu with pictures , so very easy to order ! If I ever go back to taipei I will definitively stop eating there !!!
google avatar

Ellis L.

Yelp
YOU HAVE TO GET THE TARO BALLS mochi things, so cute and chewy and sweet! If you come at opening you'll miss the fat line :)
google avatar

Wh C.

Yelp
This soup dumpling joint was nothing more than a expanded night market stand just over ten years ago. It'd open until midnight, and people would travel across town to get the dumplings for their late night fix. Since then it has put a real roof over its head, cut back its hours, and upped its prices. But it has also expanded its menu to include other dimsum and bigger dishes they might not have been able to pull off as a night market stall. The soup dumplings used to be half the price of the ones in Din Tai Fung 鼎泰豐 just a block down the street, now they've nearly caught up. There's an apparent difference in the thickness of the skin, but the ones here are tasty in their own way. I don't mean to compare it down with DTF. I feel like it's trying to measure itself up against the Michelin star, but the its ruggedness and the street-flavor that it retains from its earlier days are its real charm. And the 老闆娘 at the counter is drop-dead gorgeous.
google avatar

I-Ling C.

Yelp
Tried this Xiao Long Bao place tonight! I was so hungry that I forgot to take pics but their dumplings are delicious! As much as I love Ding Tai Feng, I have to say that the Pork Dumplings here are slightly better! The skin is thicker when compared to Ding Tai Feng dumplings and it doesn't taste as oily so I really liked it! I would recommend their Fried Turnip Cake as well since not a lot of places in Taipei can fry it so it's still crispy on the outside but soft on the inside, but this store definitely can! Another dish to recommend is their Red Bean Mochi dumplings, they aren't too sweet so they make a perfect after dinner dessert! There's Mochi inside so it gives the dumpling a chewy consistency. I love Mochi and red bean together! My grandma loved this dish so much that she ate 6 to herself :)! Their Pot Sticklers (Guo Tie) are really tasty as well but slightly oily. I liked the fried crispness on the outside though and it was good to order with the pork dumplings so you can interchange when eating them! Downside of this restaurant is that because there's no windows and it's an open space, there are flies and mosquitoes milling about, so just watch out for that! But would definitely go there again :)! 今晚去試了這間的小籠包!我覺得他的小籠包可以跟鼎泰豐比!他們的皮比較後,裡面的滋也沒有那麼油,所以我個人很喜歡。 蘿蔔糕也很好吃,外面煎的酥酥的,但裡面是軟的,我覺得很好吃的蘿蔔糕在台北比較少見了,所以找到這間我很開心! 紅豆麻吉包熱熱的很好吃,我阿嬤超愛,一次吃了六顆!鍋貼也不錯,但有一點點的油,可是跟小籠包一起穿插的吃就不會覺得那麼油了! 缺點是天氣熱的話會有蠻多蚊子的,所以要記得防蚊義喔~ 我以後還是會回來這間吃的!
google avatar

Debbie C.

Yelp
When we arrived at Hangzhou Xiao Long Bao (XLB), it was packed on a late Saturday evening with lots of people waiting to be seated. With that, I expected that the XLB here would be pretty decent. Unfortunately, the XLB did not meet my expectations. When the XLB arrived, I glanced at it suspiciously. It was a bit on the small side and darker than other XLB that I've had in the past. I took a bite out of the XLB and noticed the strong smell of veggies--which is not typical of a XLB. Veggies are great IF it's well proportioned and enhance the flavor of the pork in the XLB, but the flavor of the veggies were overbearing. The XLB here are unique in flavor but not what a classic XLB should taste like.

E M.

Yelp
Ate at DTF the night before, decided to try another similar restaurant nearby. We got there after 8 pm, there were just a few other customers. Service: 1 out of 10, almost non-existent. XLB: 6 out of 10, skin is thicker than DTF's. Flavor was ok. Vegetarians dumplings: 3 out of 10, thick skin and so so flavor. Taro pastry: 4 out of 10. Kind of doughy. Nothing special. It's cheaper than DTF, but imho, not worth it.

Johnny P.

Yelp
So I read the reviews and decided let's try this we took a taxi there and when we arrived we were away right away The stools are small and uncomfortable the atmosphere blah there was hardly any air conditioning we were sweating and uncomfortable We wrote down our order and raised our hands to get someone over to take it then waited and was told to get your own plates bowls sauces etc ok great Food cake was steaming at first and pretty much all Of it came we ordered a lot of food no covers etc Started to eat it and was pretty much blah tasteless they all tasted the same and not much flavor it was disappointing as the reviews said it was good We paid at the front entrance where they had our bill ready it was 1400 Taiwanese dollars there was 2 adults and 2 1 year old babies Got home had stomach issues all night and into the next day and broke out in a hive took some Ben to make sure I didn't break out anymore I must have been allergic to something but I'm not allergic anything First and last time there something wasn't clean Learning experience ate the next day at my favorite dim sum place in the hotel learned my lesson.

Slg C.

Yelp
We were tired after a full day of sightseeing, ending with the Chiang Kai -shek memorial. This place was only a 5 minute walk behind the park. No regrets choosing to eat here over DTF. Sure it's less fancy, and more of a fast food atmosphere, but the price isn't in the Michelin category either. Their signature soup dumplings were great. They handed us an English menu with pictures, and you just had to match the characters on the order sheet, or point to what you wanted. We checked out what the other (locals) were eating and ordered the same, fried pot stickers, shrimp siumai, and spicy noodles. Liked the garlic stir fried pea leaves just fine. This place was a real find and we revived enough to check out the Nanmen market nearby.
google avatar

Matthew Z.

Yelp
Came here at 11am the other day and had xiao long bao, shrimp dumplings, stinky tofu, and various salads. The xiao long bao were some of the best I've eaten, but the shrimp dumplings blew me away: so delicate, so subtle. At that hour on a Monday you beat the lunch crowds and enjoy your food at leisure, which is certainly not the case at Din Tai Feng. Plus the atmosphere is nicer: the place doesn't feel sterile or crammed with tourists, and open street view feels free.
google avatar

H.-H H.

Yelp
This is the first time I took my parents and husband to the place. The food is average good. The service is bad. We asked for small plates for each. They said they don't provide small plates. All the utensils are plastic. We have been to 鼎泰豐 and 明月 for similar food many times. These two places are way better than Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao from all aspects. Another thing that I don't like is that the restaurant has very strong cooking oder. This place is just cheaper than the other two places, nothing special.
google avatar

Judy L.

Yelp
This place has a bit of a wait but it was worth it. The soup dumplings are good as well as a lot of other dishes. It's a solid place and I would come again.

Maiken S.

Yelp
Personally my favorite din tai feng in Taipei, the food is amazing and you don't have to wait long(if there is a line) to get seated or for your food. We were 5 people and ordered 15 dishes pluss drinks, for the whole meal we payed around $80 combined. We didn't even finish all the food and everybody was happy and full when we walked out. The place is not fancy and you get more of a local feeling when eating there. The low tables and chairs makes it all more authentic. Highly recommend this place, try the vegetable xiao long bao they are delicious!

Nella E.

Yelp
I read a lot of reviews before deciding to come here. A lot of the reviews mention that this is better or a close second to Din Tai Fung. I have to say DTF's food is a lot better. The food was not bad here but I would not come back the next time I am in Taipei. There is a reason why DTF has the line up. It really is that much better - food and service. I also don't think they are much cheaper than DTF so spend the extra $10 and just go to DTF if you are looking for excellent xioa long bao and quality service.

Elliott H.

Yelp
Come here for the xiao long bao - they are really delicious. Bite-sized, thin skin (but they don't fall apart), and very flavorful. I definitely recommend the crab roe. The other dishes vary. The veggie dumplings were pretty good, but the fried ones were very oily and didn't sit well. The cabbage dish was good but significantly overpriced IMO. They are fast and efficient, but the seating isn't that comfortable. All in all, I'd recommend coming here, but you can also do better for everything but the xiao long bao.

You might also like