Snack Attack: Scarfing Down Xiaobao, Beijing's Pockets of Meaty Goodness

Snack Attack is your weekly guide to the sometimes smelly, sometimes flavorful, sometimes odd munchies to be had in the capital.

Way back when I was studying at Bei Er Wai – aka Beijing International Studies University – a classmate of mine asked if I wanted 小笼包 xiǎolóngbāo for breakfast.

Thinking it would be the soup-filled dumplings I’d had in Suzhou during my first foray into China, I enthusiastically agreed to the proposal. Little did I know it wouldn’t be that kind of bao.

Instead, when we arrived in the bustling canteen and received our plates of the things, it wasn’t the malleable little morsels I’d found down south, but something more akin to small 包子 bāozi.

It must’ve been a mistranslation, as these little pockets of yummy, meaty goodness – I mean nothing’s wrong with what’s essentially a mini-baozi – go by the name 小包 xiǎobāo and xiaolongbao.

This happy little accident transformed me into a believer. I’d regularly go in search of xiaobao while out and about. They not only made for a good breakfast but also a nice little mid-day or afternoon snack, providing a boost of energy after class or during weekend walks.

Now, it’s worth mentioning, a lot of places call these xiaolongbao on their menus – or even Hangzhou Xiaolongbao – but I’m not exactly sure why. Perhaps it gets unsuspecting simpletons like me to think they’re enjoying the southeast version of the dish when instead they’re getting its northern brother.

Minor differences aside, whether it's xiaobao or xiaolongbao, I can’t complain. That being said, finding a proper northern-style xiaobao wasn’t – and still isn’t – a cakewalk.

After some dedicated searching, though, I eventually found what I was looking for from a place close to the Beijinger’s offices – which turned out to be a Yangrou joint that just happens to crank out bomb xiaobao.

These came in looking beautiful. Not much seasoning was used, but the meat was cooked to the point where not much was needed: it was packed with flavor, and it was even studded with chives here and there for a welcome bite.

I’m set and ready to welcome these xiaobao back into my morning routine. If you’re looking to see what they’re all about, here are three spots to try:

Yongchun Xiaolongbao 永春小笼包
Beside Ibis Hotel, 30 Sanlitun South Road, Chaoyang district
朝阳区南三里屯路30号宜必思酒店旁边

Hangzhou Xiaolongbao (multiple locations) 杭州小笼包
1F, Bldg 3, Yard 8 Dongdaqiao Road, Chaoyang district
朝阳区东大桥路8号院3号楼-1层

Fat Little Baozi King (multiple locations) 小胖包子王
89 Tiantan Road, Ground Floor West Side Wangcheng Hotel, Dongcheng district
东城区天坛路89号万程酒店一楼西侧底商

READ: For Savory Sesame & Millet Goodness, Try Miancha

Images: sohu.cn, Vincent R. Vinci