We’ve Been Eating Xiao Long Bao All Wrong
Xiao Long Bao is a type of steamed bun that originates from the Jiangnan region of China. The rise of popular restaurants like Din Tai Fung has introduced this amazing dish to Westerners, but that doesn’t mean everyone knows how to eat it properly.
Traditionally when you eat Xiao Long Bao, one might typically bite a hole on the top first to slurp the soup inside before adding vinegar, ginger, or chili sauce and eating the rest in one bite. This is how we and every single one of our friends has done it.
Well folks, it looks like we’ve been completely wrong this whole time, according to author and chef Eddie Huang. Luckily, he’s here to drop some knowledge in a video on Vice.
First, you put the xiao long bao in the plate of vinegar to let the soup inside cool.
The xiao long bao should chill on the plate for 30 seconds to a minute.
After that, you simply put the whole thing in your mouth.
According to Huang, anybody who does it otherwise is a “hooligan,” So don’t be a hooligan!
