This is the Walhalla of the xiao long bao. Din Tai Fung is located on the 12th floor of the Takashimaya department store in Shinjuku. Go well in advance of the time you really want to eat because there's usually a long line that wraps around the corner from the entrance and down the hall. Once inside you have to order the xiao long bao. Xiao long bao are dimsum dumplings with a meatball and hot soup inside. The name translates literally as little dragon in a bun... a name that is rather fitting because eating these directly as a whole will result in burning your mouth.
First you need to add the dip sauce (vinegar and/or soy sauce) to the small plate of fresh ginger. Next, you place the dumpling in a small bowl or the spoon and carefully break the skin to let the soup leak out first. Dip the dumpling in the vinegar and place some ginger on it before popping it into your mouth. Finally, drink up the soup. I’ve also seen articles stating that the only correct way to eat this delicacy is to nibble a small hole and first suck out the soup. I prefer the first method because I don’t fancy burns.
Although xiao long baos are their specialty they also have other dumplings like the spicy pork and shrimp dumplings as well as my favorite fried chicken and jelly fish salad featured in the photograph.
