The Chinese province of Shanghai has brought us many delicious dishes (roast duck, pork buns, drunken chicken), but the best of them all may be soup dumplings. Known as xiao long bao (XLB) or “little dumplings in the basket,” the delicately pinched, semi-transparent steamed wrappers contain a sweet-smelling filling of pork and a mouthful of savory hot broth. In the heart of winter, they’re one of those foods that are simultaneously warming, comforting, and filling. Here’s where to get your bao on in the county.
XLB newbies take note before reading on: It’s wise to puncture the wrapper so the steam releases, then slurp the soup slowly before eating the dumpling.
Asian Legend
23 Mamaroneck Ave, White Plains; 914.488.6838
This Chinese restaurant (which also serves sushi) in White Plains has a special crown jewel on its menu among many: pork soup dumplings. For $13, you can slurp a savory, umami broth out of a delicate wrapper and enjoy it paired with a plethora of delicious dishes that Asian Legend’s menu features.
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Dumpling + Noodle
26 Palmer Ave, Bronxville; 914.779.0902
A Bronxville dining staple since 2013, Dumpling + Noodle is dishing out (pun intended) classic soup dumplings to warm your stomach on chilly winter days. The soup dumplings, both only pork and crab meat and pork ($7.95/$8.95), are especially popular with the students from nearby Sarah Lawrence College.
Fantasy Cuisine
20 N Central Ave, Hartsdale; 914.358.9046
The hit-or-miss service won’t bother you once you take your first slurp of these delicate, translucent purses ($10.99/$11.99) with a smooth, savory meat filling and hot broth fragrant of pork (or pork and crab) with scallion.
Mister Chen
265 Mamaroneck Ave, Mamaroneck; 914.777.1212
102 Garth Rd, Scarsdale; 914.874.5581
You’ll find a menu featuring the greatest hits of Chinese cooking, including traditional Cantonese items as well as Taiwanese and Shanghainese dishes, at either of Mister Chen’s locations in Westchester. Made fresh daily on premises, the standard pork ($12.95) or crab meat and pork ($13.95) offerings are slurpable fun.
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O Mandarin
361 N Central Ave, Hartsdale; 914.437.9168
Richly flavored minced pork and ginger ($14 for six) is the sole version of soup dumplings offered at this elaborately decorated, bustling restaurant that dishes out upgraded versions of Chinese-American faves as well as lesser known, more authentic dishes.
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Szechuan City
875 Saw Mill River Rd, Ardsley; 914.689.3191
This casual dining spot in Ardsley serves up authentic Chinese dishes. The menu offers a wide range of tasty options, but we have our eyes set on one: soup dumplings. Szechuan City offers five pork soup dumplings for $11.95 or crab meat soup dumplings for $12.95.
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