The Search for the Best Xiao Long Bao Pt1: Suzhou Dimsum

In celebration of the upcoming Chinese New Year, let me share with you my Search for the Best Xiao Long Bao around the metro. My first Xiao Long Bao sighting: Suzhou Dimsum in Malate, Manila.


Given my last name, it's pretty obvious that we're one of the Chinese-Filipino families in the Philippines. We may not be as conservative as other families, but when it comes to food, Chinese cuisine is always the first choice. 

However, for some reason, we skipped out on this dish from Eastern China called Xiao Long Bao. I first heard of this dish from a food memory sharing in a food writing workshop I attended last year. Since then, I've been dying to get a piece of that Xiao Long Bao which a fellow participant described so passionately.

So when I saw a Xiao Long Bao sighting in Dash's blog, I texted Kiwee and Fred immediately so we could drive all the way to Malate, Manila. We're well aware of other Suzhou Dimsum branches nearer to our place but this one seemed perfect with its hole-in-the-wall vibe. Plus, Chinese residents flock to this branch which is a good sign of their food's authenticity. 

House Tea (Php free!)

We were warmly greeted with Mandarin by their Chinese owner as soon as we entered. Uh oh, we all look Chinese but all of us couldn't carry a conversation using such deep Mandarin. Sorry! 


I guess the owner noticed our puzzled looks when he greeted us so he sent his Filipina waitress to take our orders. 

Xiao Long Bao (Php90/4 pcs); Seafood Siomai (Php90/4 pcs)

We braved Manila just to have a piece of that Xiao Long Bao so our minds were dead set in ordering it. Alongside, we ordered their Seafood Siomai and their Shallot Oiled Pancake just because it sounds interesting. 

The Seafood Siomai is rolled in a white wrapper, exposing its glistening seafood meat crown. Evident in the dumpling's sides, each piece is generously packed with meat. The meat was indeed juicy, especially with a tap of soy sauce, but I felt the skin was a little too thick for my liking. 

Shallot Oiled Pan Cake  (Php90)

The Shallot Oiled Pan Cake tasted very much like your usual pancake, except a little oilier and thinner. I wasn't very fond of this dish since it lacked flavor. A flavor problem I attribute to the lack of onion leeks as opposed to the same dish that a fellow blogger had. 

Xiao Long Bao (Php90/4 pcs) and Black Rice Vinegar

Both the Seafood Siomai and the Shallot Oiled Pancake were quickly forgotten when the xiao long bao was brought to our our table. After much wait, we were dying to feast on these steamed soupy dumplings. 


Xiao long bao or xiao long pao is traditionally steamed in bamboo baskets, hence the name "xiaolong", meaning "small steaming basket". Unlike other dumplings, they surprisingly have soup inside brought about by a gelatinous broth cube inserted during preparation. So while the Xiao Long Bao cooks, the cube melts away to create the soup inside. 


Since they're so delicate with the soup inside, it's best eat xiao long bao with a soup spoon. Using chopsticks, gently pick up the xiao long bao and lightly dip it on the black rice vinegar. Placed on top of the soup spoon, you can already take a bite of the xiao long bao without worrying about soup spill. As described to me during the food writing workshop, the xiao long bao's skin should melt effortlessly as the warm comforting soup fills your mouth. 


I wanted to eat the xiao long bao with one bite so that the soup would explode in my mouth; however, the skin was too tough to do so. I had to resort to grinding my teeth against the skin, sipping the soup and then chewing my way through the rest of the skin. The xiao long bao tasted okay but it wasn't what we were looking for. 


I've heard great reviews about Suzhou's rice meals but we were really after their xiao long bao so we opted not to order more. Honestly, we went home a little disappointed from the trip but a cup of coffee cheered us up later in the afternoon. I guess we'll just have to continue our search for the best xiao long bao out there. :) 


Any suggestions? :)


More Info on Suzhou Dimsum:
Address: A. Mabini St. Malate, Manila, Metro Manila
Contact: (02) 302-4347
Operating Hours: Su, M, T, W, Th, F, Sa: 12:00 mn - 12:00 mn
Menu: Click Here
Budget: Php150-200/head
Payment: Cash
Outfit: Casual
Other Branch: Mandaluyong, Greenhills (the Mandaluyong branch is also located along A. Mabini St., isn't that just amazing? Haha)


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~It's the little sweet notes everyday that matter~