Nanxiang Steamed Bun南翔馒头店
Inside Nanxiang Steamed Bun
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The original xiaolongbao institution in the City God Temple area, serving soup dumplings since 1900. A historic Shanghai landmark. Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant is where the story of xiaolongbao begins — a direct descendant of the original 'Nanxiang Little Bun' shop that opened in 1871 in the nearby town of Nanxiang, before moving to the City God Temple in 1900. The restaurant occupies a multi-story building in the heart of Yu Garden's tourist district, but do not mistake it for a gimmick. The ground-floor takeout counter serves the classic pork version, steamed in massive bamboo baskets that tower behind a counter perpetually surrounded by a crowd of hungry visitors. Upstairs, the sit-down dining rooms offer a broader menu including crab roe, shrimp, and mixed seafood xiaolongbao, as well as a full complement of Shanghainese classics. The dumplings here have a slightly thicker, more rustic wrapper than the artisanal versions at Din Tai Fung or Jia Jia Tang Bao — a reminder that this is xiaolongbao in its original, working-class form. The soup is abundant and unabashedly porky, the filling seasoned with ginger and a whisper of sugar. The second-floor dining room, with its traditional wood carvings and view of the pagoda, offers the most atmospheric experience. Expect crowds at all hours; go early on a weekday morning for the most pleasant visit.
What to Order
Crab Roe Xiaolongbao
蟹粉小笼
Say: "xiè fěn xiǎo lóng"
The premium option — pork xiaolongbao enriched with crab roe. Available year-round upstairs.
Classic Pork Xiaolongbao
鲜肉小笼
Say: "xiān ròu xiǎo lóng"
The working-class original. Thicker wrapper, generous soup, sold at the ground-floor takeout counter.
📋 Reservations
No reservations. Ground floor is takeout only (queue 5–15 min). Upstairs dining room has table service but longer waits at peak times.
🥬 Dietary Notes
Pork-based. Not suitable for vegetarians. No gluten-free options.
💡 Pro Tips
- • Go early on a weekday (before 10 AM) for the shortest queues.
- • The ground-floor takeout counter is faster and cheaper than the upstairs dining room.
- • Combine with a visit to Yu Garden — they are in the same complex.