Cycle 17 – Item 216

Post 6,060

9 (Sun) August 2026

Xiaolongbao Sampler

2.5

at Crystal Jade Shanghai Palace

-Jamwon, Gangnam, Seoul, Republic of Korea-

with the Family, In-Laws

2 samplers each containing 7 varieties, 7 people, so everyone got to try 2 pieces.  By process of elimination, I was left with 1 regular, which was among the best that I’ve had in Korea, and 1 foie gras, which might’ve been the worst – the liver tasted unpleasantly fishy.

Ranking of xiaolongbao in Korea, as documented on GMTD:

Recommended

1. Dim Dimsum (Lotte World Mall) (14.159 Roast Duck Noodle Soup) (14.244 Soup Dumplings (Xiaolongbao))
2. Mongjungheon (16.154 Pork Soup Dumplings (Xiaolongbao))
3. Crystal Jade Shanghai Palace (17.213 Xiaolongbao Sampler) (not the foie gras)
4. Crystal Jade Shanghai Delights (Hyundai Department Store) (3.187 Xiaolongbao) (7.096 Xiaolongbao)
5. Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao (4.122 Xaiolongbao)
6. Je Je (13.325 Xiaolongbao) (15.165 Xiaolongbao – New & Improved)
7. Baozi Pu (11.303 Baozi)
8. Yeonnam Myeongwan (17.100 Xiaolongbao)
9. TimHoWan (15.316 Black Truffle Xiaolongbao)

Good

1. Songhwa Sansi Dosak Myeon (14.104 Shrimp Asparagus (Dumplings))
2. Hyangmi (13.240 Gongsimchae Deopbab)
3. Hongbokseong (13.089 Sorongpo)

Meh

1. Din Tai Fung (3.202 Xiaolongbao)
2. Midim (The Hyundai Pangyo) (12.119 Xiaolongbao)
3. Crystal Jade Shanghai Delights (Lotte World Tower Mall) (12.88 La Mian in Scallion Oil)

Not

1. Lingongzi (15.074 Xiaolongbao)
2. Chungking Express (Common Ground) (1.5) (13.065 Xiaolongbao)

Happy Birthday, FIL!

(See RESTAURANTS IN KOREA)

(See GLOBAL FOOD GLOSSARY)

(See HANSIK)

(See BOOZE)