Call it a culinary world tour—one xiao long bao at a time.
I remember the time when xiao long bao began to appear on the menus of Chinese restaurants in Manila. While it was exclusive to more upscale restaurants in the beginning, it didn’t take long for our favorite holes-in-the-wall to offer it too.
Xiao long bao traces its roots to Nanxiang, a suburb of Shanghai, during the late Qing dynasty in the mid-19th century. According to culinary lore, it was first created by a teahouse owner who wanted to surprise customers with something new—a dumpling filled not just with meat, but with savory broth that would gush with flavor when bitten into.
So, is it a dim sum or soup? Do you bite it gently or pop it whole into your mouth? Do you use chopsticks or a spoon? A tear in the delicate wrapping could spill the rich broth onto your spoon or shirt, but there lies its charm. Each dumpling is a test of patience and precision.
It’s a dish that doesn’t just feed—it teaches you how to eat too. Yes, restaurants before had notes on tables on how to eat it when it was first introduced, but these days, no one cares—bite into the delicate wrapping to savor the soup or swallow it in one go and let that delicious goodness spread across your mouth.
Eastern originality plus Western ingredients
Paradise Dynasty offers not one, but eight xiao long bao flavors at its five restaurants around Metro Manila
So, why settle for one flavor when you can take your taste buds on a world tour—one delicate, soup-filled xiao long bao at a time? From the elegance of foie gras to the fiery thrill of Szechuan, premier Chinese restaurant Paradise Dynasty offers eight internationally inspired xiao long baos.
The first is the original (translucent wrapping), with its delicate dumpling filled with seasoned minced pork and a rich, savory broth that reflect the roots of Shanghainese cuisine.
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The second flavor is foie gras (tan color), a flavor that brings French haute cuisine to the bamboo steamer. Its rich, buttery flavor is a nod to luxury, transforming the humble dumpling into a decadent indulgence. Third is black truffle (black), tasting of the prized mushroom foraged in French or Italian forests, steaming of earthy flavors and aromatic depth.
The fourth is cheese (yellow), a Western comfort food as cheese is a rarity in Chinese cuisine. Like any dish with cheese, it’s a gooey surprise that plays on the palate. Fifth is crab roe (orange), a specialty of Yangcheng Lake and Shanghai, and a regional delicacy in Jiangsu and Zhejiang cuisines. Crab roe is actually often added to xiao long bao during crab season for extra richness and complexity.
The sixth is garlic (gray), with the ingredient being a staple across many Chinese regional cuisines, particularly in Northern Chinese cooking. This flavor adds an aromatic punch and is a crowd favorite for its bold simplicity. Seventh is Szechuan (red), known for its spicy flavor profile using Sichuan peppercorns and chilies. And eighth is Korean kimchi (green), with the fermented vegetable dish that lends it a tangy, spicy taste.
More than just dumplings, Paradise Dynasty offers a full menu inspired by the rich culinary traditions of Northern and Southern China—reimagined with a modern twist. From crispy-fried crystal prawns tossed in salted egg yolk—a favorite of The POST staff when we dined at the Greenbelt 5 branch a few months ago—to lettuce rolls with house-made sesame sauce, each dish is created with fresh, high-quality ingredients and meticulous attention to detail. Also big hits for us and regular diners are the Black Pepper Beef, Stir-Fried Pork Rib in Honey Sauce, and La Mian with Crispy Pork Chop in Signature Pork Bone Soup.
The restaurant’s warm ambiance and contemporary interiors echo the refined tastes of Chinese culture, promising a dining experience that engages more than just the palate.
This month, Paradise Dynasty launched its fifth branch, at Robinsons Magnolia Place in Quezon City, signaling an expansion for the brand that began in Singapore, and brought to the Philippines in 2016 by the Paradise Group.
Visit Paradise Dynasty at Robinsons Magnolia Place, upper ground level; Greenbelt 5, 3rd level; Conrad S. Maison, 2nd Level; SM Aura Premier, 2nd Level; The Podium, 2nd Level.
