Singapore Eat: Zhong Guo La Mian Xiao Long Bao (中国拉面小笼包) @ Chinatown Complex

Rick
1 day ago
2 min read

Zhong Guo La Mian Xiao Long Bao (中国拉面小笼包) is a popular hawker stall in Chinatown Complex Food Centre, known for its affordable, handmade xiao long bao (小笼包 / steamed soup dumplings in bamboo baskets) and other Chinese dishes, such as handmade pan-fried dumplings (锅贴), la mian (拉面 / noodles), and Szechuan spicy wantons. It is praised by Singapore Michelin Guide for its delicious, fresh, and reasonably priced food.

Zhong Guo La Mian Xiao Long Bao (中国拉面小笼包) @ Chinatown Complex

The Xiao Long Bao (小笼包), 5 pieces in a bamboo basket, have beautiful folds and their soupy contents are visible through the skins. Pick up a dumpling with a spoon, bite a hole in the skin, slurp up the soup and taste the sweetness and freshness of the minced pork meat even before eating it. Finish the rest with a dip of vinegar and shreds of ginger. The traditional-style meat dumpling is so much nicer than those expensive, full-of-frills dumplings served in big names restaurants.

Zhong Guo La Mian Xiao Long Bao (中国拉面小笼包): Xiao long bao (小笼包)

The Beef Noodle (牛肉面) is served with generous amount of beef shank slices and lettuce on pulled noodle / la mian in clear broth with spring onions and dried chilli (optional). The broth has light, delicious flavours and the beef shanks are tender with nice crunch of the well-cooked pulled noodle. The dried chilli adds more flavours to the dish.

Zhong Guo La Mian Xiao Long Bao (中国拉面小笼包): Beef Noodle (牛肉面)

Besides xiao long bao and beef noodle, Zhong Guo La Mian Xiao Long Bao's pan-fried dumplings and other la mian dishes are more options to go for next.