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Xiao Long Bao

What is xiao long bao?

· Emily Grant

Key facts

Literal meaning little-basket bun[1]
Chinese name 小籠包[1]
Alternative name xiaolong mantou[1]
Cooking method steamed in a small bamboo steaming basket[1]
Cuisine association Jiangnan cuisine[1]
English label soup dumplings[1]

Xiao long bao is a Chinese steamed dumpling, often called a soup dumpling, traditionally cooked in a small bamboo basket and associated with Jiangnan cuisine.

Context

Xiao long bao, literally 'little-basket bun' [1], is a Chinese steamed dumpling often called a soup dumpling [1]. It is traditionally cooked in a small bamboo steaming basket [1] and is associated with Jiangnan cuisine [1]. Some sources describe it as a type of tangbao [1], while others call it a dumpling or steamed bun [1]. Its origins are sometimes traced to Changzhou in Jiangsu province [1], and it is linked to eastern China, especially Nanxiang near Shanghai [1].

Documented claims

  • Xiao long bao is a type of Chinese tangbao. [1]
  • It is traditionally prepared in a xiaolong, a small bamboo steaming basket. [1]
  • Some sources say it originates from Changzhou in Jiangsu province. [1]
  • It is associated with eastern China, particularly Nanxiang near Shanghai. [1]

Questions and answers

What does Xiao Long Bao have in it?

Xiao long bao typically contains a filling of meat (often pork) and a savory broth that becomes soup when steamed. The exact ingredients can vary, but the defining feature is the soup inside the dumpling [1].

What is the difference between soup dumplings and Xiao Long Bao?

Xiao long bao is a specific type of Chinese steamed dumpling that is often referred to as a soup dumpling in English. While all xiao long bao are soup dumplings, not all soup dumplings are xiao long bao; the term 'soup dumpling' can refer to other dumplings with soup filling [1].

Is Xiao Long Bao Chinese or Taiwanese?

Xiao long bao is Chinese in origin, with roots in eastern China, particularly the Jiangnan region and areas like Shanghai and Jiangsu province [1]. It is also popular in Taiwan, but its origins are Chinese [1].

Why are they called Xiao Long Bao?

The name 'xiao long bao' translates to 'little-basket bun' because these dumplings are traditionally steamed in a small bamboo basket called a xiaolong [1].

Sources

  1. What Is Xiao Long Bao? History, Origins, and How to Eat Them — eatmila.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)

Sources last checked August 3, 2026. · More in Nature