Have you ever ever puzzled what it’d be like if xiao lengthy baos had a crispy, deep-fried exterior? These really exist! They’re referred to as Sheng Jian Baos (生煎包), and these superb pan-fried pork buns could be discovered at Shang Hai Fried Xiao Lengthy Bao.

Shang Hai Fried Xiao Lengthy Bao is positioned inside Chinatown Complicated Meals Centre.

When you’re like me and also you at all times get misplaced in Chinatown Complicated Meals Centre’s sprawling format, you’ll discover this well-liked hawker stall (#02-104) on the coronary heart of the hawker centre’s second ground, proper to Jia Ji Mei Shi and its iconic vibrant pink signboard.

Shang Hai Fried Xiao Lengthy Bao was began by Chef Jiang, who has over 25 years of expertise making dim sum as he was beforehand a dim sum chef at Crystal Jade and Paradise Group.

Despite the fact that I intentionally selected an off-peak timing to go to Chinatown Complicated Meals Centre, I used to be shocked to see a always rising queue at Shang Hai Fried Xiao Lengthy Bao, which curved previous the shop and prolonged to the row of hawker stalls behind. Massive yikes!

Regardless, the promise of freshly pan-fried pork buns, that are mentioned to be a cousin of the favored xiao lengthy bao, stored me going.

A specialty from Shanghai, these buns have a a lot thicker pores and skin— extra like an precise bao moderately than the paper-thin xiao lengthy bao pores and skin— which include juicy pork meat and gelatin, which melts right into a soupy liquid when cooked. Plus, moderately than being steamed in a dimsum basket, these buns are fried on a griddle after which steamed instantly whereas remaining on the pan, which leads to that characteristically crisp backside.

After ready for near twenty minutes within the queue, I lastly acquired spherical to putting my order. Eagerly, I managed to sneak a peek previous the oil-slicked window and noticed three workers devoted to wrapping sheng jian baos.

Whereas I initially needed to order Shang Hai Fried Xiao Lengthy Bao’s Sheng Jian Bao and Xiao Lengthy Bao, think about my shock after I was advised that the Xiao Lengthy Baos had been offered out whereas I used to be within the queue— and it was solely shortly after 1pm!

What I attempted at Shang Hai Fried Xiao Lengthy Bao

I acquired the ball rolling with two servings of the Authentic Sheng Jian Bao (S$3 for 3 items), which had been freshly made on the spot. Be aware that the Sheng Jian Bao is offered in two flavours: Authentic (pork) and Prawn (S$4 for 3 items).

I couldn’t wait to dig in. These seemed completely pleasant, with a crisp backside and a fluffy, heat prime that had been sprinkled with sesame seeds and spring onions.

Wang’s Noodle & Dumpling Home: Ex-sous chef runs hawker stall providing S$5 La Mian and Xiao Lengthy Bao

To be completely sincere, my eating companion and I had been stumped as to the best way to eat this correctly. They had been too huge to sit down on the offered plastic spoons comfortably, and so they had been too sizzling so we couldn’t tear them open utilizing our naked palms.

We ended up biting a small gap and pouring out the pork broth onto a spoon, however you may as well slurp out the broth instantly if you want. When you’re planning to chunk instantly into the Sheng Jian Bao, be ready for the pork broth to blow up and spurt out!

These had been pretty much as good as I assumed they’d be.

The underside was so crispy that biting into it gave off an audible crunch, whereas the within of the bao was crammed with juicy pork meat that had been seasoned calmly. Finishing the whole expertise was the savoury, pork-filled broth, which was completely flavourful. I additionally liked how the pores and skin had simply the correct thickness such that it held all of the liquid and pork meat effortlessly with out being overly doughy.

I’d think about that that is what you’d get should you mixed a fried mantou, common bao and xiao lengthy bao, and my largest recommendation can be to eat it whereas it’s sizzling for max shiokness.

Although Shang Hai Fried Xiao Lengthy Bao is most well-known for its Sheng Jian Baos, it additionally sells mains within the type of noodle dishes, akin to its Beef Noodle (S$5.50).

The meat soup was lighter than anticipated, with mildly peppery and savoury notes that got here via in the direction of the tip of every sip. I wanted that it had been heavier and extra flavourful, because it was a bit too plain for my style buds.

A good bit of warning that this must be consumed quick, because the noodles absorbed the soup at an alarmingly quick fee!

The skinny slices of beef had been puzzling, to say the least, as that they had a cracked texture that jogged my memory of crocodile pores and skin. But, they had been springy and tender, although it might’ve undoubtedly been a lot juicier.

I moved onto Shang Hai Fried Xiao Lengthy Bao’s Zha Jiang Mian (S$4.50).

Based mostly on first impressions alone, I used to be already involved that the noodles can be too dry because the black bean paste didn’t look saucy sufficient.

Tossing the Zha Jiang Mian collectively proved to be an actual problem, because the black bean paste was too dry. Even after a radical toss, the black bean paste wasn’t liquid-y sufficient to coat all of the noodles evenly, leading to random patches of plain noodles.

Regardless of the preliminary disappointment, I loved the savoury zha jiang paste, which got here via in a smoky and salty method. The fermented soybean paste did an excellent job in including that umami kick, whereas the minced meat was springy and juicy.

Shang Hai Fried Xiao Lengthy Bao’s Zha Jiang Mian might’ve actually used an excellent dollop of soup or sauce to loosen the whole lot up, however my eating companion and I agreed that this was higher than the Beef Noodles as a result of its savoury flavours had been rather more pronounced.

Last ideas

After the meal ended, I used to be crammed with combined emotions.

I liked the Sheng Jian Bao for its great mixture of flavours and textures. You’ve acquired that audibly crispy backside layer, tender bun exterior, springy pork meat, and savoury pork juice, however I wasn’t certain that it was ok to warrant a twenty minute queue time.

In the meantime, Shang Hai Fried Xiao Lengthy Bao’s noodle dishes had been frankly fairly disappointing and we might undoubtedly give these a miss the subsequent time we’re round.

Would I return? Just for the Sheng Jian Bao, maybe, and if I’ve spare time on my palms.

Anticipated injury: S$3 – S$7 per pax

Shen Yang Feng Wei: Noodles & xiao lengthy baos handmade upon order by native Chinese language chef