How to Make: Xiao Long Bao

Chinatown restaurant Plum Valley’s pork and crabmeat xiao long bao are a decadently porcine treat. Although Plum Valley Head Chef A-Zhong’s recipe features numerous processes (the folding process can be particularly tricky), the end product is both rewarding and transcendently delicious. Alternatively, the delicate xiao long bao are also available from the restaurant, served all year-round.

“Whenever I eat a juicy xiao long bao, I am reminded of my Grandmother, who often used to take me to the best xiao long bao place in Shanghai when I was little. I like to think that a xiao long bao perfectly represents her character as well; it may be humble and simple-looking on the outside but it’s the warm, comforting inside that counts. Even now, when I bite through the delicate, thin wrapping and savour the rich broth and succulent meat inside, it almost feels like a hug from the woman who introduced me to them years and years ago.” Lai Ho, Manager of Plum Valley

Ingredients

Makes 40 dumplings 

For the pastry

• Medium strong flour, 250g
• Water, 130g
• Salt, 2g

For the meat filling

• Minced pork, 250g, minced
• Crabmeat, 50g
• Spring onion, 25g
• Ginger, 25g
• Salt, 2g
• Chicken powder, 3g
• Sugar, 6g
• Soy sauce, 5g
• Shaoxing cooking wine, 10g

For the soup jelly

• Pork ribs, 1lb
• Spring onions, 3-5 (cut into 1-inch pieces)
• Ginger, 2 thumb-sized pieces (unpeeled, thinly sliced into strips)
• Shaoxing wine, 2 Tbsp
• Water, 6 cups
• Salt, 1tsp

To make the pastry

1. Combine the pastry ingredients together, stirring in the water slowly and knead to form a dough. Roll out into a thin sausage and cut into small cubes, the size of a 50p piece. Then press each into a round, thin circle to use later. (Can use rolling pin).

To make the meat filling

1. Mix all the filling ingredients together ready to use later

To make the soup jelly

1. Place the pork ribs into a stock pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil. Cook for about 2 minutes or until foam begins to float to the top. Empty the content of the pot into a colander and rinse the bones thoroughly with cold water. Clean the pot thoroughly as well.
2. Return the cleaned pork ribs to the cleaned stock pot. Add spring onions, ginger, wine, and water. Bring the pot to a boil then reduce heat to a low simmer. Occasionally skim the surface of any foam that floats to the top to keep the stock clear. Simmer on low for about 1.5 hours or until liquid reduces to half.
3. Season with salt.
4. Strain liquid into a 13×9 inch baking dish and discard the solids. Cover with plastic and chill in fridge until set (at least two hours).
5. Once set, cut a crosshatch pattern into the jellied soup.

To assemble the dumplings

1. Mix the meat filling with the diced soup jelly in the proportion of 1:1.
2. Place the filling in the middle of the round pastry and fold (this is the hardest part, a good xiao long bao should have between 16 and 20 folds).
3. Place in a basket and steam your xiao long bao for 4 and a half minutes.
4. Further information on Plum Valley can be found here.

This article was updated on Friday 28th January, 2022.