Xialongbao at Hangzhou Xiaolongbao in Taipei
I was determined to snack through my entire stay in Taipei. Snacks are very easy to come by in the island and it seems that everybody just loves snacks. I don’t know much about obesity issues in Taiwan but I would not be surprised to know if there was an issue with regards to weight. However, just looking at the people around here, I don’t think there would be an issue since everyone seems to be skinny. One of the snacks which I liked here in Taiwan is an old favorite of mine. Xiaolongbao is a small bundle of taste packed in a small bun. It is a dumpling with some soup in it such that when you bite into it, the soup just comes pouring into your mouth.
Crab Roe Dumplings Another Favorie in Hangzhou Xiaolongbao
I had xiaolongbao here in Taiwan at Shifen and that was just some random store. I have come to know of a place here in Taipei which sells them and they became famous for it. Hangzhou Xiaolongbao is a dumpling shop across Liberty Square. I got there early and managed to get a seat. I thought I would just come here for some brunch. I got a basket of xiaolongbao and it was good as promised. It is similar in goodness to the famous Din Tai Fung. The name does give me some flashbacks since I saw this name in Shanghai and curiously their xiaolongbao is quite different from the one served in Taiwan and the rest of Southeast Asia.
Chicken Feet at Hangzhou Xiaolongbao
The one found in the mainland was more bun than dumpling. Maybe I got a raw deal and they didn’t give me what I want. I later found out that I needed to look for the Shanghai style xiaolongbao. Thus Hangzhou Xiaolongbao in China meant something bad for me. Fortunately, the Hangzhou Xiaolongbao found in Taipei is nothing like that bun I had in China. The dumpling bursts with soup as it enters your mouth and the soup itself is very tasty. It is not the healthiest thing in the world, so just try to enjoy it that moment and worry about losing weight after. I also had a serving of crab roe dumplings which are a favorite here as well as a plate of chicken feet. I know it isn’t the most appetizing thing, but once you get beyond the idea and the looks, it is actually a nice treat. I finally flushed everything down with a glass of sour plum juice.
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