Xiao long bao—Shanghai-style steamed soup dumplings—are a thing in Las Vegas, which is sort of fascinating, because they’re not necessarily a big deal in other great American food cities. Thanks to brilliant local restaurants like China Mama and Shanghai Taste and Strip spots like Din Tai Fung and Mott 32, our community has developed an affinity for these ultra-savory, soup-filled bites, now available at loads of different Chinese and Asian restaurants.
Naming an entire Vegas restaurant after these pork-filled pillows of juicy joy seems like a great idea. Xiao Long Dumplings did exactly that when opening last summer in a former dim sum emporium in Chinatown, and it has been a popular spot ever since. That’s because the house special soup dumplings ($10) deliver on those expectations; they’re large and plump, and they demand to be devoured.
This energetic restaurant also stuffs them with creative flavors like cheese, wasabi, crab, shrimp and even chicken soup ($9-$11). Yet some of the non-dumpling dishes might be even better, like the chewy scallion pancake wrapped around garlic beef ($10), a made-for-summer rendition of classic dan dan noodles ($10), and hearty braised pork belly ($14) decorated with soy and vinegar.
With solid vegetable side dishes, stir-fried rice and noodle offerings and even chocolate banana xiao long bao for dessert ($9), any appetite is well taken care of at ... what’s the name of this place again?
XIAO LONG DUMPLING 4275 Spring Mountain Road #D101, 725-204-6916, xiaolongdumplings.com. Sunday, noon-10 p.m.; Monday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday & Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.
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