How to Eat Soup Dumplings (Xiao Long Bao) Like a Pro

Hands down, one of the most glorious types of dumplings in the world is the almighty Xiao Long Bao (AKA XLB for those ‘in the know’).

Alternatively known by the popular name “soup dumpling” – this magical creation consists of a juicy ball of filling in a thin flour wrapper, steamed to perfection to create a savoury sea of soup inside (thanks to gelatinized broth in the filling recipe, in case you’re wondering).

Honestly, it comes close to being a perfect food, but enjoying it is contingent on one thing: knowing how exactly to eat it.

For newbies to XLB, figuring out how to properly eat a soup dumpling can be a challenge. Eat it too quickly, and ya burnt. Approach with the wrong technique, and you risk leaking and wasting all that incredible soup inside.

So, wondering how to properly eat soup dumplings? In this post, I’ll share a few common techniques (including some tips on how to eat soup dumplings without chopsticks!) I hope you find it helpful.

PS: Having soup dumplings at home? Check out my guide on what to serve with Chinese dumplings for inspo on rounding out your meal.

An Overview of Soup Dumpling Eating Technique

There are many methods to eating soup dumplings that I’ll outline below.

Which method you use is a matter of preference, and skill level!

When it comes to an “authentic” or “proper” way of eating soup dumplings though, this is the most common sequence:

• Carefully take the lid off the bamboo steamer and let the dumplings cool for about a minute
• Pick up the soup dumpling with chopsticks by pinching/lifting from the middle knot of the dumpling (the thickest part)
• Place the dumpling on a spoon (preferably a large soup spoon)
• Make a small hole in the dumpling either by biting a bit off the top (a smarter method if you have a small spoon), or poking your chopstick into the side (only advised if you have a large soup soon to capture the broth)
• Let the steam/broth escape for a few seconds so it has time to cool down
• Suck/slurp up the (hopefully cooled down) broth
• Use the spoon to eat the whole dumpling in one bite

Where you’ll find variety is with incorporating dipping sauces, or particular strategies when it comes to where you are making an incision to suck out the broth, etc. but this is overall the best practice to follow.

Here is how NOT to eat a soup dumpling:

• Never just lift it up and put the whole thing in your mouth without draining the broth out first – your mouth WILL burn
• Never try to use a fork and stab it like you might a regular dumpling – all that precious soup will be lost and you will be very sad
• Never eat it in more than one bite. This bad boy is designed to be enjoyed in one bite! Of course, this rule doesn’t apply for bigger XLB (or those giant ones that come with a straw, which I think is ludicrous, but let’s not get me started on that)

How to Eat Soup Dumplings Without Chopsticks

If you’re not a pro with chopsticks, eating soup dumplings properly can be a challenge. This is because lifting your soup dumplings into your spoon is a delicate task that requires chopstick prowess. Trying to lift XLB with a fork is an almost guaranteed disaster, and trying to lift it with your spoon is a pretty risky endeavour as well.

If you’re wondering how to eat soup dumplings without chopsticks, the easiest answer is this: ask for tongs! Most restaurants will have these on hand, and there’s no shame in asking.

Otherwise, you can simply use your hands (wash them first, of course!) and lift the dumpling onto your spoon by lifting the knot at the top (the thickest and least fragile part of the XLB).

Then proceed using one of the methods below as normal.

Or hey, you can just cross your fingers that the restaurant serves their XLB in this genius spoon formation:

Eating Soup Dumplings Method #1

This is my preferred method for eating Xiao Long Bao, because you can do it even without one of the big Chinese soup spoons they give you at restaurants.

… It’s also (in my opinion) more fun.

Here’s how to eat soup dumplings my favourite way:

• Lift the dumpling up with chopsticks from the knot (the thickest part in the middle)
• Plop your XLB baby onto your spoon
• Take a little bite from the top (the knot), and let the steam escape for a few seconds
• Slowly suck out the broth
• Add your vinegar/dip (if using)
• Eat the entire dumpling in one satisfying bite

NOTE: You can also dip your dumpling in sauce before plopping it on your spoon, but this is only recommended if you’re good with chopsticks, otherwise you might accidentally drop it in the dip, or worse, on the table. A safer method of adding vinegar/dip is spooning it onto the XLB/spoon directly.

Eating Soup Dumplings Method #2

Another popular method for eating soup dumplings (as seen in this viral TikTok) is to use a big soup spoon to catch all your broth instead of sucking it out directly.

Here’s how to eat soup dumplings using this method:

• Lift the dumpling up with chopsticks from the knot (the thickest part in the middle)
• Plop your XLB baby onto your spoon
• Use your chopstick to poke a hole in the side and let the steam/broth escape for a few seconds
• Drink up the broth on your spoon
• Add your vinegar/dip (if using)
• Eat the entire dumpling in one satisfying bite

NOTE: You can also dip your dumpling in sauce before plopping it on your spoon, but this is only recommended if you’re good with chopsticks, otherwise you might accidentally drop it in the dip, or worse, on the table. A safer method of adding vinegar/dip is spooning it onto the XLB/spoon directly.

I hope this guide to eating soup dumplings was helpful!

Let me know in the comments if you have any other tips or techniques I should test out!