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'''''Xiaolongbao''''' is a type of [[steamed bun]] (''[[baozi]]'') from the [[Jiangnan]] region of [[China]], especially associated with [[Shanghai]] and [[Wuxi]]. It is traditionally prepared in ''xiaolong'', small bamboo steaming baskets, which give them their name. ''[[wikt:xiaolongbao|Xiaolongbao]]'' are often referred to as a kind of "[[Chinese dumplings|dumpling]]", but should not be confused with [[Dumplings#British_and_Irish_cuisine|British]] or [[Dumplings#American_cuisine|American]]-style dumplings nor with Chinese ''[[jiaozi]]''. Similarly, they are considered a kind of "soup dumpling" but should not be confused with other larger varieties of ''[[tang bao]]''. In [[Shanghainese language|Shanghainese]], they are also sometimes known as '''''sioh-lon meu-doe''''' or ''xiaolong''-style [[mantou]]s.{{fact|date=June 2014}}
'''''Xiaolongbao''''' is a type of [[steamed bun]] (''[[baozi]]'') from the [[Jiangnan]] region of [[China]], especially associated with [[Shanghai]] and [[Wuxi]]. It is traditionally prepared in ''xiaolong'', small bamboo steaming baskets, which give them their name. ''[[wikt:xiaolongbao|Xiaolongbao]]'' are often referred to as a kind of "[[Chinese dumplings|dumpling]]", but should not be confused with [[Dumplings#British_and_Irish_cuisine|British]] or [[Dumplings#American_cuisine|American]]-style dumplings nor with Chinese ''[[jiaozi]]''. Similarly, they are considered a kind of "soup bun" but should not be confused with other larger varieties of ''[[tang bao]]''. In [[Shanghainese language|Shanghainese]], they are more usually known as '''''xiaolong [[mantou]]''''', or (pronounced in Shanghainese) '''''sioh-lon meu-doe'''''.{{fact|date=June 2014}}


[[Image:Crowded Nanxiang Mantou dian 1 by Eason Lai.jpg|thumb|left|200px|The perennial queue outside the [[Nanxiang Bun Shop]] in Shanghai.]]
[[Image:Crowded Nanxiang Mantou dian 1 by Eason Lai.jpg|thumb|left|200px|The perennial queue outside the [[Nanxiang Bun Shop]] in Shanghai.]]
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==Serving==
==Serving==
Traditionally, ''xiaolongbao'' is a kind of ''[[dim sum]]'' ([[à la carte]] item) or ''[[xiaochi]]'' ("snack"). The buns are served hot in the bamboo baskets in which they were steamed, usually on a bed of dried leaves or paper mat, although some restaurants now use [[napa cabbage]] instead. The buns are usually dipped in [[Zhenjiang vinegar]] with [[ginger]] slivers. They are traditionally served with a clear soup on the side.<ref name=Shanghai-snacks>{{cite web|title=Shanghai Dining – Shanghai Snacks: Nanxiang Steamed Stuffed Bun|url=http://www.china.org.cn/travel/2012-07/18/content_25944840.htm|work=People's Daily Online|publisher=[[china.org.cn]]|accessdate=10 February 2013|date=July 18, 2012}}</ref> Around Shanghai, "xiaolongbao" may be eaten throughout the day, although usually not for breakfast. In [[Guangdong]] and the West, it is sometimes served as a dish during [[yum cha|Cantonese tea time]]. Frozen ''xiaolongbao'' are now mass-produced and a popular [[frozen food]] sold worldwide.
Traditionally, ''xiaolongbao'' is a kind of ''[[dim sum]]'' ("snack") or ''[[xiaochi]]'' ("small eats"). The buns are served hot in the bamboo baskets in which they were steamed, usually on a bed of dried leaves or paper mat, although some restaurants now use [[napa cabbage]] instead. The buns are usually dipped in [[Zhenjiang vinegar]] with [[ginger]] slivers. They are traditionally served with a clear soup on the side.<ref name=Shanghai-snacks>{{cite web|title=Shanghai Dining – Shanghai Snacks: Nanxiang Steamed Stuffed Bun|url=http://www.china.org.cn/travel/2012-07/18/content_25944840.htm|work=People's Daily Online|publisher=[[china.org.cn]]|accessdate=10 February 2013|date=July 18, 2012}}</ref> Around Shanghai, "xiaolongbao" may be eaten throughout the day, although usually not for breakfast. In [[Guangdong]] and the West, it is sometimes served as a dish during [[yum cha|Cantonese tea time]]. Frozen ''xiaolongbao'' are now mass-produced and a popular [[frozen food]] sold worldwide.


==Related varieties==
==Related varieties==
The ''xiaolongbao'' is one of kind of ''[[tang bao]]'' ("soup dumpling") or ''guantang bao'' ("soup-filled dumpling"). Another form of ''tang bao'' with a differently-textured skin but about the same size is the ''xiaolong tangbao'', a specialty of [[Wuhan]].{{fact|date=June 2014}}
The ''xiaolongbao'' is one of kind of ''[[tang bao]]'' ("soup buns") or ''guantang bao'' ("soup-filled buns"). Another form of ''tang bao'' with a differently-textured skin but about the same size is the ''xiaolong tangbao'', a specialty of [[Wuhan]].{{fact|date=June 2014}}


==See also==
==See also==

Revision as of 12:11, 12 August 2014

Xiaolongbao
Steamed xiaolongbao served in a traditional steaming basket
Alternative namesSoup dumpling, Xiaolong mantou, XLB
CourseDim sum, Xiaochi
Place of originShanghai
Region or stateChinese-speaking areas
Main ingredientsleavened or unleavened dough, minced pork (or other meats), aspic
xiaolongbao
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese小籠包
Simplified Chinese小笼包
Literal meaninglittle-basket dumpling
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyinxiǎolóngbāo
Bopomofoㄒㄧㄠˇ ㄌㄨㄥˊ ㄅㄠ
Gwoyeu Romatzyhsheaulongbau
Wade–Gileshsiao-lung-pao
IPA/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹¹lʊŋ³⁵pɑʊ̯⁵⁵/
Wu
Shanghainese
Romanization
sioh³³-lon⁴⁴-bo
Yue: Cantonese
Jyutpingsiu²-lung⁴-baau¹
Southern Min
Hokkien POJsiò-làng-pau
xiaolong mantou
Traditional Chinese小籠饅頭
Simplified Chinese小笼馒头
Literal meaning"little-basket steamed bun"
"little-basket steamed head"
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyinxiǎolóng mántóu
Wade–Gileshsiao-lung man-t‘ou
Wu
Shanghainese
Romanization
sioh³³-lon⁴⁴ meu²²-doe⁴⁴
IPA: /siɔ³³lǫ̃⁴⁴-mø²²dɤ⁺⁴⁴/
Japanese name
Kanji小籠包
Kanaショウロンポウ
Hiraganaしょうろんぽう
Transcriptions
Romanizationshōronpō

Xiaolongbao is a type of steamed bun (baozi) from the Jiangnan region of China, especially associated with Shanghai and Wuxi. It is traditionally prepared in xiaolong, small bamboo steaming baskets, which give them their name. Xiaolongbao are often referred to as a kind of "dumpling", but should not be confused with British or American-style dumplings nor with Chinese jiaozi. Similarly, they are considered a kind of "soup bun" but should not be confused with other larger varieties of tang bao. In Shanghainese, they are more usually known as xiaolong mantou, or (pronounced in Shanghainese) sioh-lon meu-doe.[citation needed]

The perennial queue outside the Nanxiang Bun Shop in Shanghai.

Origins

Shanghai-style xiaolongbao originated in Nanxiang, a suburb of Shanghai in the Jiading District.[1] The inventor of xiaolongbao sold them in his first store in Nanxiang next to the town's notable park, Guyi Garden. From there the xiaolongbao expanded into downtown Shanghai and outward.

Two specialist xiaolongbao restaurants have a particularly long history. One is Nanxiang Mantou Dian (Nanxiang Bun Shop), which derives from the original store in Nanxiang but is now located in the Yu Garden area. It is famed for its crab-meat-filled buns. The other is Gulong Restaurant, at the original site next to Guyi Garden in Nanxiang.[citation needed]

Ingredients

Chinese buns in general may be divided into two types, depending on the degree of leavening of the flour skin.[2] Steamed buns made with raised flour are seen throughout China and are what is usually referred to as baozi. Steamed xiaolongbao made with partially raised flour are more commonly seen in the south. This means that their skin is tender, smoother, and somewhat translucent, rather than being white and fluffy. As is traditional for buns of various sizes in the Jiangnan region, xiaolongbao are pinched at the top prior to steaming, so the skin has a circular cascade of ripples around the crown.

Xiaolongbao are traditionally filled with pork. One popular and common variant is pork with minced crab meat and roe. More modern innovations include other meats, seafood and vegetarian fillings, as well as other possibilities. The characteristic soup-filled kind are created by wrapping solid meat aspic inside the skin alongside the meat filling. Heat from steaming then melts the gelatin-gelled aspic into soup. In modern times, refrigeration has made the process of making xiaolongbao during hot weather easier, since making gelled aspic is much more difficult at room temperature.

Serving

Traditionally, xiaolongbao is a kind of dim sum ("snack") or xiaochi ("small eats"). The buns are served hot in the bamboo baskets in which they were steamed, usually on a bed of dried leaves or paper mat, although some restaurants now use napa cabbage instead. The buns are usually dipped in Zhenjiang vinegar with ginger slivers. They are traditionally served with a clear soup on the side.[1] Around Shanghai, "xiaolongbao" may be eaten throughout the day, although usually not for breakfast. In Guangdong and the West, it is sometimes served as a dish during Cantonese tea time. Frozen xiaolongbao are now mass-produced and a popular frozen food sold worldwide.

The xiaolongbao is one of kind of tang bao ("soup buns") or guantang bao ("soup-filled buns"). Another form of tang bao with a differently-textured skin but about the same size is the xiaolong tangbao, a specialty of Wuhan.[citation needed]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Shanghai Dining – Shanghai Snacks: Nanxiang Steamed Stuffed Bun". People's Daily Online. china.org.cn. July 18, 2012. Retrieved 10 February 2013.
  2. ^ From the Annals of Jiading(a district in Shanghai): "Buns can be made with leavened or unleavened dough. Those made with unleavened dough use clear water for mixing, the skin is thin and the fillings large. It is frequently made in Nanxiang, but is imitated elsewhere, calling it Xiang-style. (《嘉定县续志》: 馒头有紧酵松酵两种,紧酵以清水和面为之,皮薄馅多,南翔制者最著,他处多仿之,号为翔式)