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Sunday, December 20, 2020

XLB

My first encounter with an XLB was painful (literally) and embarrassing!


It  happened during a business luncheon with my boss and a couple of clients.

Back then, these soup dumplings had just recently debuted in Malaysia and I was totally uninitiated.

Long story short, I ended up with a scalded mouth, a wet chin and blouse and guffawing co-workers!  

I had no idea there was piping hot soup inside the dumpling!

Now that I've wised up after that mortifying experience, here's a 101 on soup dumplings for the clueless!

First, a little fun trivia!

So, what are XLBs?

Xiao Long Bao (XLB) aka soup dumplings are tiny, delicate, pleated pouches that encase a pork filling and a rich, savoury broth.

Xiao Long Bao literally translates as "little basket buns", so named after the bamboo baskets in which they are steamed.

How to get an XLB from the bamboo steamer basket and into your mouth

Place your Chinese soup spoon close to the dumpling and gently lift it up from the steamer onto your spoon. Haha! The first time I tried to pick one up with my chopsticks, I inadvertently punctured the skin and the leaking dumpling conspicuously left a wet trail on the red table cloth all the way from the center of the table to my plate!

 I didn't know you had to use a spoon!

Once the dumpling is safe in your spoon, resist the temptation to pop it into your mouth immediately lest you suffer first-degree burns from the blistering soup. 

Nibble the top of the dumpling to let some steam out. Give it a moment to cool and slowly slurp out the soup.  Once this "dangerous" step is over, you can now devour the rest of the dumpling any way you please!

I like my XLB plain but you could gingerly (don't mind the pun) dunk it in the dipping sauce of vinegar and julienned ginger while waiting for your dumpling to cool.

A video to share.

32 comments:

  1. They look delicious! The dumpling has to be pretty hearty I'm thinking, Veronica, for it to be picked up with the tongs. I can imagine your embarrassment and pain the first time you tried them. Glad you were willing to give it another go around!

    Merry Christmas!

    betty

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  2. I have had dumplings of one kind or another all through southeast Asia and in Hong Kong and Taiwan, but whether I have had this exact version I am not sure. They have all been delicious, however!

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  3. I had to laugh because of a scalded mouth, etc.
    But now you've found the dumplings, but I wouldn't like it at all with meat.
    Have a good Christmas.
    Greetings Eva

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  4. Ooops! It's a funny story. I shouldn't laugh! 😊 I would have suffered the same!
    An interesting dish. I find it quite complicated to eat.
    I wish you a beautiful week!

    Merry Christmas!

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  5. I learned a LONG time ago to ask for help when I am navigating a new food. I have no shame! These look soooo good! Thanks for the training video.

    Merry Christmas to you, my friend!

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  6. I hadn't heard of these before.. they look yum, even if a bit messy.

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  7. Those look so good! I never would have guessed there was soup inside the dumpling either.

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  8. Ha ha. That made me laugh but I would have made the same mistake. Happy Christmas πŸŽ„ Veronica.

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  9. If I ever have the opportunity to try these, your tutorial will be greatly appreciated! I can usually figure out a way to splash or dribble or drip when eating, so this will be a word to the wise!
    Thanks so much for joining us at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2020/12/quarantine-christmas.html, and Merry Christmas!

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  10. Oh sounds so good thanks for this recipe! I will have to try this wish me luck!

    Allie of
    www.allienyc.com

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  11. Thank you for the instructions! Have never had a dumpling that you had to slurp out the soup. The dumplings I know, are in soup, but they are like tasty covered beef balls. Wishing you a merry Christmas, and we'll connect before the New Year rings in:)

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  12. Thanks veronica for the tips. The dumplings look delish. Happy holidays to you and yours! #MCoW

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  13. Mmmm...they look absolutely delicious! I have never heard of XLB but now I want to try them. Thank you for teaching us how to eat them without receiving first degree burns! :)

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  14. They look so good! I haven't had them very many times. When I have, I loved them. It's good you got making them down.

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  15. These are new to me, so I'd probably do the same thing you did the first time!

    So glad you joined us at 'My Corner of the World' this week! Merry Christmas!

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  16. I want some immediately heheh!

    Have a dumplingtastic safe week best wishes from London UK :-)

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  17. ε°η± εŒ… looks yummy.
    I wish you the happy holidays.

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  18. Thanks for teaching us how to properly eat this delicious specialty! I would have burnt myself too! Happy Xmas!

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  19. Ooh they look delicious. I would eat them with the dipping sauce as I love ginger.

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  20. Eating seems like an easy task until you try it in a completely different culture. Not only is the food all new, but the way it is served and the utensils are too. It's a learning curve.

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  21. Wow! Never had them. Now I know how to 😊

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  22. Yummy. I had two of them.

    Thank you for joining the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop.

    Have a fabulous Wordless Wednesday, Veronica. ♥

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  23. The dumplings look delicious. Thank you for sharing your experience. I'll be sure to use a spoon to retrieve and eat them if I'm ever blessed to have them in front of me. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

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  24. They look tasty. I would have done the same and bitten right into them.
    https://allatseawithme.blogspot.com/2020/12/wordless-wednesday_23.html

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  25. Wow, this barn has an impressive roof!
    Merry Christmas and a happy new year!

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  26. They do look good, and if ever I get the chance to try one I'll remember your advice!

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  27. These dumplings look fantastic! Thanks so much for sharing with us over at the You're the Star Blog Hop. We hope to see you again soon!

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  28. Now I really want to try some ...they look delicious and I know how to eat them now, thanks to you!

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  29. yuuum but I can't it it with pork filling... guess they do make the beef or chicken or shrimp or veggie version? That will be lovely indeed

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