Jing Hua Xiao Chi Singapore

The owner is now Japanese so that they may have some Japanese influence ? The taste is good and very add appreciated for Japanese people as well as local people. Good to go there with many people to share variety of meals. Reasonable price for good meals.

My two favourite things to eat here - the fried dumplings and the red bean pancake. Divine. And the sambal accompanying is a gift from the gods too. Enough resident Japanese come here, for me a testament to the quality of the food here. Friday nights seems to attract groups who eat and laugh. Love it.

Everything was subpar except the seafood and pork dumplings and maybe the red bean pancake. The xlb skin was on the thicker side and got soggy from the soup which was the first time I encountered this. The noodles were alright but needed more gravy. The soup was neither sour nor spicy. The tomato scrambled egg was just unbelievable as I thought the tomato was meant to be infused with the egg but it’s not…came with an empty stomach but left feeling underwhelmed.

Had a meal at Jing Hua Xiao Chi and tried their Signature Fried Rice, Chinese Pizza, and Pan-Fried Pork Dumplings. The fried rice was tasty with a good wok hei aroma. The Chinese pizza was quite interesting and tasted decent. The dumplings were alright, nothing particularly special. The service could have been better, as the staff seemed rather unapproachable.

We walked I just in time for lunch last order and intended only to order dumplings cuz that’s what they are good at. The xiao long bao, chive pancake, and gou tye were good. The rest was as average as they get but we expected this. What extraordinary was sesame noodle that was advertised on the board outside and their signature, it was disappointing. Service was accommodating at last minute and they were nice. The ambiance was a high table turnover restaurant.

We were here 15yrs ago and now back again to try the xiao long bao again. Hahaha. Not bad. The fried rice is very good too.

01/April/2025 Had Pan Fried Dumplings, Minced Pork Noodle & Steamed Pork Dumplings ($34.65) for dinner, was quite good, I especially love their Pan Fried Dumplings. Have been patronizing this restaurant for years.

Great place to eat Chinese and local eats, we got a seat an hour prior to closing time and to be honest it was a mistake because we were rush al through the dinner but somehow our table neighbours being Chinese were not. I gotta rate the food which was excepcional but not the service which was poor

QUICKIE REVIEW Great Chinese food had here. Nice, hidden restaurant tucked away in plain site. FOOD This is what I tried: Pan-friend mixed seafood & dumplings Signature fried rice Xiao long bao All I can say is the food just hits different here. Everything we tried was good and seasoned well. Kicked things up a notch by adding some of the sauces that were at the table. PARKING No. SERVICE Good. Waitress got us taken care of right away and kept up with us. PRICE Expect around $50 for two. TIP/OTHER THOUGHTS Stumbled across this place for lunch. Liked it so much had to comeback the next day for dinner. Both times did not have to fight with people to get seating or for service. Can't beat it for the quality of food you get.

We were looking for a lunch spot one Wednesday at around 1:30 when we randomly passed by this place. The menu looked good and it had pretty good reviews so we decided to check it out. They give you a paper menu, and you mark off what you want to order. This is what we ate: Pan-fried mixed seafood and pork dumplings - this was probably our favorite. It wasn't like a traditional pan-fried dumpling, but the shape was more like a spring roll cut in half, which I loved. It came out piping hot and crispy, with plenty of meat filling Xiao long bao - good but standard. It wasn't anything off the wall, but it's something to order if you are looking for something tried and true Jing Hua signature fried rice - flavorful, but I feel like this is something I can easily make at home We had the chrysanthemum tea to wash it all down, and it was the perfect addition. They also sell frozen soup dumplings for you to take home and steam. If I lived in Singapore, or even if I was staying at a hotel with a kitchenette, I totally would have bought some.

We loved it! Everything was so fresh. The hot tea was perfect. You need to pay for a napkin, which we thought was funny. But the food was fantastic. And it was reasonably priced. We're staying nearby and have gone twice already!

On a hot day in Singapore, I decided to venture out into the world, barely avoiding heat stroke. To be honest, I wasn't that hungry but I didn't want to let a minute go to waste since I don't make it to SG that often. I was staying in Chinatown and had arrived earlier that day, so I figured I would eat close to my hotel in case the sun became too much. Chinatown is full of shops and dumplings. Unfortunately, it is also full of tourists. I did my best to avoid tourists and found a small dumpling shop hidden behind a construction zone. I figure the construction zone is not usual because the the shop, Jing Hua Xiao Chi, had been featured multiple times on various "Best Dumplings" lists. Okay, so it wasn't the hidden gem I was hoping for but it was definitely not riddled with tourists and that was good enough for me! The walls were red and tastefully (pun intended) decorated with photos of dumplings. Overall the shop was small and fairly empty. I didn't spot a single tourist out of the three groups that were in the restaurant. The staff was nice and sat me quickly and a menu and ordering pad were waiting for me at the table. I was running short on cash and Jing Hua didn't take cards (for the amount I spent.) Fortunately, the dumplings weren't too expensive. After entering the shop, I immediately looked at the menu to see what drinks they had. I needed something refreshing after a short walk that seemed to take an eternity. I noticed they had a Mango Juice on the menu for $3 ($2.20 USD) and I went for it. It was more than I would prefer to spend on a drink but this kind of stuff goes for $10 in California, plus I was desperate. I wanted to check every box on the menu but remembered the minimal cash I had in my wallet and decided to go with the classic Xiao Long Bao for $8 ($5.88 USD) an honest steal compared to SF prices. I've had many a Xiao Long Bao and part of me wanted to try one of the pan fried dumplings, but alas, I decided to play it safe and go with a fan favorite. The Mango Juice was just what I needed. It was refreshing and slightly thick. If it wasn't made of real mango it certainly had me fooled. There was an odd touch of rose water but it grew on me and I downed the whole thing pretty much before the dumplings came. I don't even like mango, but I liked this. Not long after the Mango Juice arrived, a plate of steaming-hot dumplings was placed right in front of me. I was so excited but slightly nervous because I didn't want to be disappointed by this apparently-famous dumpling house. The classic soy/vinegar dumpling sauce was already on the table so I poured myself a saucer-full and placed a single dumpling into the saucer to soak and cool a bit. What happened next was incredible. The dumpling was still hot but I couldn't wait any longer. I put it in my mouth and felt the soup flow in my mouth as I chewed. It was a mix of soy, vinegar, pork juices and sesame. I think the sesame part was pretty unique but maybe that's just how they do it in Singapore. Whatever the reason, I am happy they discovered this combination of flavors because it was a true delight and I would definitely go back. I wolfed down the seven dumplings, walked up to the front of the shop and paid. In case it wasn't clear, I was one happy customer. If you spend enough money, they take Visa. Pay at the front. Total Cost: $13.30 ($9.77 USD) 21 Neil Rd Singapore This post is copy and pasted from my blog of solo travels and solo reviews

I had the steamed pork dumplings and zha jing noodles. Dumplings were fine, but the noodles where uninspiring and looked and tasted like someone justed scoop something out of a pot that has been sitting all day on a pile of noodles.

This is a review of lunch with a friend at Jing Hua Restaurant at the Qun Zhong Eating House. http://tinyurl.com/m9ec4qp My friend suggested this restaurant. With the exception of the hot & sour soup, my friend selected our dishes. Note: Sometimes I feel unburdened in writing reviews when I do not know a specific cuisine extremely well. I can simply review whether I enjoy the food or not. I do not have to get caught up in authenticity or if there is some restaurant down the street that some might think is better. It is the case for this review. Jing Hua Restaurant at the Qun Zhong Eating House is all about the food. The service is effective. It is efficient. Don't expect them to be coming over and high-fiving you and asking if everything is to your liking. They are going to take your order sheet. They are going to verify your order. They are going to bring you your food. They are going to do all of this relatively quick. Then they are going to want you to leave so they can do the same for the next hungry guests. There are the usual checklist sheets for ordering. There are also helpful reference photo menus. Compared to some similar restaurants, the menu is not extensive. But I think this allows them to focus on the quality of the dishes they do serve. http://tinyurl.com/kzzyvk4 http://tinyurl.com/mp5ldyp http://tinyurl.com/lv2gvvc The ambiance is very clean and functional. There is red trim to provide some colour. The tables are basic (mostly round) red topped tables. The chairs are those simple and painful folding chairs that get pulled out for school assemblies and such. There is a front room and a back room. For our visit (at 1:30 pm on a Friday), the place was initially packed. By the time we were leaving, it was emptying out. But their lunch service ends at 3 pm. It had the bustle of a restaurant where everyone was enjoying their food. If your group isn't large enough to fill a table, they do communal seating. http://tinyurl.com/n3ujaha http://tinyurl.com/m7cwmc5 The food was all very good to excellent. It was freshly prepared. The dishes were also well presented. Lunch Collage Photo: http://tinyurl.com/om9trxy Minced Pork Noodles - This was a fantastic dish. It was comfort in a bowl. For my personal taste, the noodles were perfect. The flavours were wonderful. I ate every bite including the greens. http://tinyurl.com/mg6mx2c Pan Fried Pork Dumplings - This was another excellent dish. They had just the right amount of crispiness. They were not oily. The taste just made me want to eat more and more. http://tinyurl.com/kdj8n4p Hot and Sour Soup - I almost decided to lick the bowl. I was certainly trying to get every last drop out of it. I would not have minded for it to of had a little bit more spicy heat to it. Unlike some of the other courses, this is a dish, I have eaten a lot of other versions. This certainly ranked with some of the better hot and sour soups I've tried. It was also another very comforting dish. It would be perfect for a flu day or if it ever snowed in Singapore. http://tinyurl.com/o5xjtjg Little Juicy Steamed Meat Dumplings - Just another winner - As soup dumplings go, these were very good. I just love the explosion of flavour that they provide. The dumpling itself was well prepared. Just thin enough to be light and just thick enough to hold together for the sometimes challenging journey to one's mouth. http://tinyurl.com/o9sds37 Receipt (Lunch for two): $39.55 - They only accept cash. http://tinyurl.com/q7xtdx5 Overall - You can tell I like Jing Hua Restaurant at the Qun Zhong Eating House and this is based primarily on the quality of the food. The remainder of the experience is functional and efficient. This is probably more of a 4.5 star lunch experience. But I thought the food was good enough to warrant rounding up. It is a place I would not hesitate to return to or to recommend to others.

Today at Qun Zhong (aka Jing Hua), I told myself a real whopper of a tale. Like a serial cheater tell his or her lover, "Don't worry baby, I'll never step out on you again", I told myself, "Go ahead and over order, don't worry, not like I'm going to finish everything..." Yeah...you can imagine how that actually went over once I tasted the awesome food. First up were the Xiao Long Bao ($7 for an order of 7). They were so juicy and delicious with such delicate skins that I rationalized that it would be a crime against all things tasty if I tried to reheat them at home. I particularly enjoyed biting off the tops, slurping some of the soup, and stuffing each with the homemade chili sauce on the table. Next were the Fried Dumplings ($8 for 10), which were daintily small, blissfully crispy and curiously open on both ends. I recently read an article in the NY Times on the science of junk food, highlighting the research done by food scientists. One of the findings was that the "perfect break point" in chips is ~4 pounds of pressure per square inch. The crispy dumpling bottoms must be pretty darn close because I felt entirely blissed out with each crunchy chew. I ordered the Bean Sprouts with Minced Meat Sauce ($8 for a decent sized plate) as a healthier substitute for the noodles with minced meat sauce that I actually wanted, but it actually turned out to be a great choice. The bean sprouts were simply blanched to retain the natural crunchiness and the minced meat sauce was rich and flavorful. To close out my gluttonous solo feast, I ordered the Lotus Paste Pancake ($9). I vastly prefer lotus paste to red bean and this pancake massively exceeded my expectations. Truth be told, I wasn't sure what it would taste like aside from the rave reviews from my fellow yelpers. Picture a thick layer of filling (red bean or lotus paste) sandwiched between two layers of mochi with a deep fried crust on the outside and then sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds. Don't be shy to fight for the corner pieces if you are with a large group...they are by far the best! PARTING THOUGHT: I showed at 5:50p on a Sunday and there was no line! Service was a breeze and the manager was wreathed in smiles and encouraged me to visit again soon!

I can't believe I just recently discovered Jing Hua restaurant. I never walk along this side of Neil Road but one Sunday in search of food or anything even open worth trying around this area, I stumbled upon Jing Hua. It was open, air conditioned, and there wasn't a crowd so I thought I'd give it a try. I was surprised at the number of Yelp reviews mostly raving about Jing Hua. I cracked up as I read through a number of the reviews while ordering and eating my meal. I especially cracked up at Ida's review as there was a twist to the ending where she ordered all that food for herself! I did the same and didn't feel bad about it after seeing her review, haha. The xiao long bao are very good. On par with DTF I'd say. I really enjoyed my hot and sour noodle soup. It's just like regular hot and sour soup but with a nice thick udon-y noodle to help balance out soup with some carbs. The lotus pancake was awesome also. Not the healthiest as it's deep fried but the skin was crispy to perfection and the lotus inside was subtly sweet and added a good gooey texture to go with the crispy skin. I took half home for breakfast the next morning and although not as good fresh, it was still semi-crispy and enjoyable. I'll be back Jing Hua!

Eh. So mediocre omg. Nothing authentic of this place. What a disappointment. Noodles were like the frozen kind? I don't know. Spinach dish is very boring. Vegetarian dumpling was ok. Xiao long bao is not good not authentic and a bit pricy for what it is at 8sgd for 7 pieces.

Jing Hua is a RIPOFF! You've been warned! With that said, those dumplings are damn good. I suppose it's bc the fillings are oh-so juicy, oh-so porky, and oh-so veg-gy. They don't skimp on the fillings, hence, the hefty price tag. The zhajiang mian (black bean noodle sauce) is nothing to rave about...it's a bit bland, actually. The veggies are also very simple: stir-fried in garlic but $8 for a small portion. Come here if you're really, REALLY craving old-style, mama homemade kind of dumplings. Otherwise, I think the dumpling places found in Maxwell or Chinatown would suffice. For half the price tag. Don't forget, this place is cash only. Boo. Last time I went, we had to dig into our pockets and return the wet napkins ($0.80 a pop) bc we didn't have enough cash. We paid more than $50 for two pax...was that worth the AC and juicy, pork, veg-gy dumplings? Maybe....

Not bad, not bad. Don't come here for the xiao long bao, they are pretty well priced but taste sort of stale... If that's possible. The pork/seafood pan-fried dumplings, on the other hand, are delectable. The noodle dishes are also quite tasty and well priced. The menu is short, but they seem to do most things well, although I didn't try the desserts, which seemed to be the only items that were overpriced. The place can get crowded on weekends, so best to call ahead. Service is prompt, as it tends to be in these types of places. Location is wonderful for an after-meal stroll, or to grab a drink at a nearby bar.

Meh. Was better back when it was Qun Zhong. Dumpling skins could have been frozen. Service was so so. Better at hawker stands right up street.

An institution along Neil road, Qun Zhong has recently been renovated and now occupies two unites. The service has improved substantially and almost everyone on the service team comes across as polite - a huge change from before! However, the legendary grouchy elderly man at the door is still there and continues to handle crowd control with impatience and a frown. This one of those restaurants with an extremely small menu, and even then there are overlaps between dishes because sauces and fillings are re-used. However, by focusing on just a few, they've really boiled it down to the dishes they've best at and famous for, and everything is absolutely delicious, although I am not a fan of the Chinese pizza. The xiao long bao are not as dainty and refined as the ones you would find elsewhere, but they are hearty and pack great flavour. My personal favourite dish, however, is their pan-fried dumpling. The skin is delightfully crisp, and this goes well with the vinegar and ginger, too. End the meal with the red bean pancake - totally worth saving a little space in your stomach for.

I have found dumpling nirvana. These steamed or fried dumplings are among my favorite dumplings anywhere (the meat is pork though so keep that in mind unless you get the vegetarian version!) You'll exclaim "Just one more dumpling" and eat five...but they are worth it. This small menu doesn't give you many options besides dumplings, noodles, vegetables, and two desserts. But my oh my, what they do they do DELICIOUSLY! The decor is surprisingly modern and clean. While they supposedly take reservations, the staff will look clueless when you ask for your reserved table. But luckily it doesn't get too packed and a few tables were still available on a Sunday at lunch time. The food: The regular steamed dumplings are simple, but contain a great balance of flavors (not too salty with a great balance of filling to dough). The fried dumplings are open at each end and are crispy little pockets of goodness. Another crispy piece of goodness is the Chinese pizza which is essentially the pork filling in a large sesame bun - mmm, did I just order a dumpling on steroids? The soup dumplings are delicate and flavorful while the vegetarian dumplings had a mild, but nice combination of vegetables. I thought the two noodle dishes - the cha jeong noodles and shanghai style with pork strips and preserved vegetables were consistently good, but not the best noodles in town. The red bean in sesame pancake was also a surprising favorite. I loved the crispy, thin layers over the warm red bean paste. I'm really glad I came here with a group and got to try most dishes. It only took me one visit to convince me that this is one of the best dumplings places in town. I'd readily eat all of the dumplings again...and happily accept the dumpling food coma thereafter.

Oops...the skin of the Xiao Long Bao broke apart as I attempted to pick it up very cautiously, and the beautiful guts spilled out uncontrollably onto the parchment paper. This is both a good and bad sign; the good thing is that the skin is delicate and the bad sign is that I am too rowdy with this plump meaty babies. These Xiao Long Baos ($7++ for 7pcs) are near perfect--the ball of minced pork at the center, loose and yielding, as if itself in midmelt. My 2nd XLB landed in my spoon intact and buoyant, and I popped the entire thing comfortably in my mouth. There could be a little more of that liquefied pork gelatin but I'm just being greedy. Other dumplings variations include the steamed vegetarian dumplings stuffed with taupok bits and crunchy turnips which even non-vegetarians will delight. The Seafood and Pork Dumplings had a slightly chewy feel but the ingredients tasted fresh and not too greasy. I prefer the pan-fried version ($8++ for 10 pieces) which transformed the original chewy skin into delicate crunchy bites with tantalizing burnt aroma. This gives the pan-fried dumpling more character, as if it was a golden pillow case Perfect if there were more chives. The mastery achievement goes beyond the dumplings to the noodles and the desserts. The Noodle with Minced Pork & Soya Bean Sauce 炸酱面 ($5++), is wonderfully alchemized by the minced pork and age-old calculus soya bean paste that Iess salty than other specimens. The Osmanthus soup with glutinous rice ball soup ($3++) arrived hot and fragrant with warm floral inhalations. Hand-made with a spot-on dough-to-filling ratio, each tiny pop is rolled with a different flavour; lotus and walnut, black sesame, red bean and peanuts. Another must-try is the Crispy Red Bean Pancake ($10++) that is prepared freshly upon order. Expertly deep-fried till they are like crunchy fritters, the dark brown parcels oozes dense, sweet red bean paste with charred sesame aroma. After such a satisfying meal, I am convinced that the Han's decision to leave the menu unchanged for 25 years was a right one. Consistent quality food that can stand the test of time. Sounds unbelievable in our modern age but here is a true story.

XLB nazi. The boss man is a grouchy fellow. True story: We were in the queue and without everybody present, he's not gonna let you sit down. When the last car arrive, we had an 80 year old grandma making her way from the pavement to the shop. I told the boss, everyone's here, the grandmother is walking in. XLB nazi had to go see for himself, walked all the way out and verified and then allowed us in. That being said. The XLB are pretty good, thin, slightly chew skin, tasty soup inside. Noodles are made upon order. Red bean pancake is good too. It's toss up if you wanna queue up and deal with a grouchy boss or go somewhere else without a queue and less attitude.

I had a really unusual experience at Jing Hua tonight. We arrived for dinner at 7pm (on a Tuesday night) and there was no queue. In fact, half the tables were gloriously empty. I had been told there would be a wait at all hours, bad service but the most ridiculously delicious dumplings in Singapore. Well, the service was actually decent and attentive by both Singapore and authentic Chinese restaurant standards (I can't say which is supposed to be worse). I didn't encounter the grumpy boss and we were seated immediately. We ordered the xiao long bao, guo tie, spinach with oyster sauce, zha jiang mian and red bean pancake. The xiao long bao was as it should be, meaning perfectly hot with lots of soup inside and a good amount of pork and seafood. Divine. The guo tie was similarly awesome - fried to crisp but served on a dry plate with none of that leaky oil puddle crap you get at alot of la mian hawker stalls. The spinach dish was generous and not salty at all and the zha jiang mian, oh what mian. Soft noodles, bowl-lickin' sauce and a good dash of crisp cucumber shreds and spinach. There was nothing bad to say about our experience (well maybe the $0.60 I had to pay for unused wet towels that couldn't be returned) and I intend to return many more times. Considering how a lot of the clientele is Japanese (I still haven't figured out why), I'm surprised the food is priced so reasonably. This restaurant definitely goes on my places-to-eat-regularly-when-I-run-out-of-adventurous-fuel.

Pros: Newly renovated and expanded. No nonsense menu with pictures only. Not a wide variety of offering, what they do, they do well. Dan-dan noodles and fried dumplings were my favourite. Cons: Shanghai style soup dumplings tasted a *bit* too much like swine for my liking. This place was full of locals, which is usually a good sign. Nice meal, would come back if in the area.

The good: Dumplings (even though they try to pass them off as xiao long bao) were decent. Larger in size, so harder to eat, but still tasty. The red bean pancake was a nice way to finish the meal. Service, once inside, was fast. The bad: Tried about 5 different dishes, and they were all just ok. Yeah, just ok. I was definitely surprised given the positive reviews, but it just didn't blow my mind in any way. I did queue for awhile (and got cut in line a few times) which is a little annoying, but some patrons were helpful in showing me the ropes while queueing and ordering. The ugly: Doesn't come close to the hype on Yelp. I wouldn't make an effort to go here, let alone queue. You can find equally tasty (and better) items at about a dozen other places a stones throw away. Of course the tourists wouldn't know that...

Docking one star for my latest experience. The red bean pancake is not as crispy as before, though the pot-stickers still hit the spot.

Neighborhood restaurant close to where my sister-in-law lives. Business was quite good for Sun night and the restaurant looks like it has recently expanded to neighboring store front. The dumplings were quite tasty with a nice and chewy freshly made skin and fresh pork/seafood filling. The XLB was very juicy, a bit heavy on the peppery side. The skin was a bit too soft for my taste. The dandan noodle was so so for me as I was hoping for good chewy homemade noodle but this one wasn't quite there. The red bean pancake dessert was nicely done to wrap up the meal. Definitely a nice dinner within a few minutes walk...

This restaurant was closed for a while and they are back big but not better. They finally expanded the restaurant to double units. This place is very popular with tourists and locals who love to try their famous xiao long bao and guo tie. They have a limited menu but the food is pretty good. The only thing is the service here is rather bad. Well, you got to put up with their bad attitude to enjoy the great eats. In fact, many often refers the owner to be a food nazi. I love their pan fried guo tie, zha jiang mian and pan fried red bean pancake.

I used to have a "Fast, cheap and good - you can only have 2 out of 3" poster in my office, so I could point people who needed work done to the poster. But here, you get all 3! You sit in air-conditioned comfort, take a few minutes to decide what you want from the small menu, and the food comes in about 5 minutes. You can feed a person well for around SGD16 each, which is a lot more than what I'd way about many other places in Singapore these days.

As others have mentioned, this place has a perpetual queue from lunch to dinner. I have been past this a lot of times, and figured 8pm on a Tuesday night there would be zero queue - I was wrong, but it was only four people, so we got a table in less than five minutes. They only have 15 items on the menu, and having read up on what to try earlier, we oredered a handful of things. First up was their signature dish, the Little Juicy Steamed Dumplings (7 for $7.50) which were great on their own, and amazing with a little sauce and ginger. Second, was the Noodles with Sliced Pork and Sichuan Vegetable ($5.35) that was very average, with overcooked noodles and less pork than at a bris. Third up was the Hot and Sour Soup ($3.20) which was spectacular, probably one of the best I have ever had, so delicious. Finally got a Tiger Beer ($9.60/ lg bottle) which was unusually frosty. It is a pity the Chinese Pizza was not available, worth trying next time. If they can also add-in the GST to the prices, it would make it a bit more honest.

Taste is ok, but limited choices of food. Only three types of noodles and a few types of Chinese dumplings. May not come back , as there is nothing special to attract me .

One of the better xiao long bao (northern china style pork dumplings) restaurants in Singapore and ranks (IMHO) higher than the Din Tai Fung version. The ja jiang mian, a wheat noodle dish with a spicy fermented bean minced pork sauce with julienne cucumber is consistently good, as are the fried Guo tie (similar to Japanese gyoza). The fried red bean pancake is best eaten hot and rounds off the meal nicely. Protip for first timers: the highlight of a xiao long bao is the small quantity of soup/juice encased inside each xlb. Make sure you don't tear the skin until the xlb is safely nestled inside your soup spoon. Once it's in your spoon, gently tear a small opening in the skin to release the soup into your spoon and enjoy the soup before eating the rest of the dumpling. Watch the rest of the diners to see what they do and you should be fine!

Oh those XLBs were spot on! So delicious, so juicy. My companion also said that their hot and sour soup was the second best she has ever had in her life.

I can understand the appeal of this place, but I can't say that I am blown away by the dumplings. BUT, I can understand why this place would appeal to some. Their steamed xiao long baos, and pretty much all kinds of dumplings have the same shrimp pork filling, which has a delicate seafood sweetness to it, especially in the xiao long baos. This taste is distinctly lighter than the taste offered in places such as din tai fung or paradise dynasty, so you don't get the "urgh too much pork oil" kinda fullness at the end of the meal. Noteworthy is their minced meat noodles. Very starchy, very flavorful, and I love the chinese spinach that comes with it. Also, their ginger is sweet and tasty, and the vinegar has a hint of sweetness that I like. Last, but definitely not least, the red bean pancake was delicious. The crust is slightly crispy and sticky (think fried nian gao), and the red bean is not overly sweet. Just nice. Yum!

I want to come back to try the chinese pizza and pan fried dumplings (aka fried food...) The other couple sitting at our table recommended the pan fried guo tie over the xiao long bao (!!) Anyway, thankfully we got here somewhat early and didn't have to wait. We did have to share a table though, but that turned out for the better! More on that later. Ordered: 1. Xiao long bao ($7.50) - had heard so much about these famed dumplings and so had to try them! What was amazing was that the skin was really springy/chewy and did NOT break, nor was there much fear that it would! This is very very rare. Quite a bit of soup inside, bf remarked that it is a lighter taste than one would find maybe at Din Tai Fung or something. Later he expounded upon this saying that if you eat it at one gulp, there's more flavour. 2. Zha Jiang Mian - pretty good, but nothing mind-blowing. Quite addictive though! 3. Red bean pancake aka guo bing ($9) - here is where our lovely table companion couple came in. They had ordered one (whereas we'd waited to place the dessert order, just in case) and it looked pretty big, with 14 pieces I believe. I very much doubted that the bf and I would be able to finish one on our own (nor would it be a very good idea), and these deep fried things are just never as good reheated. Especially without the aid of a toaster oven! So, I nudged the bf to ask if they'd consider sharing it (since I also doubted they would be finishing it on their own). He did ask, and they said okay! Yay :) I didn't like it so much, it was really crispy on the outside but rather chewy on the inside (this, the bf liked - he likes chewy stuff). I would've just preferred more crisp. Anyway, it just led me to realize that their specialty seems to be making things chewy (read: the dumpling skin, the pancake skin). Back to the pancake - it had substantial red bean filling which wasn't too sweet, that's a plus! As another Yelper mentioned, compulsory $1.60 tagged on for the wet towels and peanuts (non-returnable because they don't charge service charge).

The xiao long bao lives up to its reputation, but I have to admit that I like the potstickers even better. The restaurant is clean, spacious, and inexpensive; the menu is simple; and the food well-done. Be sure to leave room for the red bean paste pastry! Typically, I'm not a fan of bean-based desserts, but this one is great!

Their meat pizza/pancake is worth a visit every time. The meat filling used in their guotie is the same as the pizza/pancake I suspect so you are better off going with the pizza/pancake if you had to choose one.

Solid, affordable, no frills. It's close to my office, but I would frequent this place even if it was slightly out of the way. Fried dumplings and noodles the best. Quick and easy place with an authentic ring.

forget about din tai fun or crystal jade. this guy is the best. i've tried xiao long bao in china, taiwan, hong kong, and of cos LA and singapore. nothing comes close. forget the ambience. Zero. forget service (at least you dun have to leave a tip). best XLB ever. period.