426820 Wed Aug 01 09:10:35 -0700 2007 13 14 Washington DC & Baltimore Area 0 2803200 Does anyone know where to get delicious soup dumplings in DC? These are the little dumplings filled with warm broth that you find in Asian or Asian Fusion restaurants (might be in others). Must be in DC not VA or MD. I went to a wonderful restaurant in NYC about a year ago with my mother and future sister-in-law. I had soup dumplings for the first time and have been minorly obsessed since but never see them on any menus. This restaurant had some Asian fusion action going on so I guess that's where the dumplings came in. There was a big article in Gourmet Magazine a few months ago to make them...but it looked waaay to difficult then just sitting down at a restaurant and enjoying them. Any leads would be greatly appreciated. Wed Aug 01 09:10:35 -0700 2007 76776 Elyssa 1 2803282 I read that Chinatown Express in D.C. makes these soup dumplings. The article is online at Washingtonian.com. 2/15/07 :) Wed Aug 01 09:34:55 -0700 2007 2803200 11196 anni 1 2803366 In today's previously-mentioned-in-another-threat Food section, there's a mention of an Asian market in Rockville/Annandale that sells lots of that stuff. It's called Kam Sam supermarket. Perhaps check it out? Wed Aug 01 09:56:00 -0700 2007 2803200 51422 Jeserf 1 2803651 Ugh, did you watch that "No Reservations" on Monday in Shanghai? I have a craving for these too! I know I've gotten them at Joe's Noodle House and A&J in Rockville, but they weren't as good as the ones I've had in NY. Wed Aug 01 10:59:16 -0700 2007 2803200 38500 caphill2320 2 2804110 Oh yeah, I watched. It was cool. Man, just the word "dumpling" makes me hungry. Wed Aug 01 12:45:24 -0700 2007 2803651 22794 debit 1 2803881 There is nothing "fusion" about soup dumplings; they are a Shanghainese specialty. You can get them at Chinatown Express, although I don't think you'll find anything as good as on the West Coast or NYC. Wed Aug 01 11:54:14 -0700 2007 2803200 14769 alopez 2 2805400 If you are looking for a dish that is a regional specialty of some cuisine, you might have better luck looking for it in a restaurant that specializes in that cuisine, no? You say you only see this dish on "some" Asian fusion restaurant menus -- but you'll see it on pretty much every Shanghainese menu. The problem is, there really aren't that many Shanghainese restaurants in the DC area, the way there are in some other cities. The only one that seems to be mentioned whenever this topic comes up on this board (it seems to come up every other month) is Shanghai Cafe in Potomac. I've not been to Shanghai Cafe, so I can't comment on it. The ones at Chinatown Cafe are not as good as those I've had elsewhere. Wed Aug 01 18:39:45 -0700 2007 2804033 14769 alopez 3 2805458 In all honesty I didn't know this was a regional speciality. I haven't seen the Bourdain episode where they discuss this yet. The first time I had them was at a restuarant in NYC called Annisa. Annisa is not a totally Asian restaurant but has Asian over tones in the cuisine. I imagine it can be considered Asian Fusion then. I'm sorry if I "upset" you with my fusion reference. I will be on the look out for them on a menu if I go to a Shanghainese restaurant. But since there doesn't seem to be one in DC proper...I would settle for any other sort of restaurant that serves them and then I can be the judge of whether or not I like them. The first time I had them was not on a Shanghainese menu and I clearly enjoyed them enough to be on the look out for them...I would like to try them again. :) Wed Aug 01 19:00:31 -0700 2007 2805400 76776 Elyssa 3 2808351 Shanghai Cafe in Potomac has decent dumplings, not great. I agree that Chinatown Express is eh. Nothing like the Shanghai places in NYC. Just this past week on Rockwell, one reader raved about the soup dumplings at a place in Thu Aug 02 14:24:54 -0700 2007 2805400 11767 MartyL 4 2808358 As I was saying. . . . at a place in Gaithersburg called Pacifica Cafe, in Kentlands. http://www.donrockwell.com/index.php?showtopic=6801 I'll let you know if I try them there. Thu Aug 02 14:26:34 -0700 2007 2808351 11767 MartyL 5 2813702 Tried Pacifica. Nice dim sum menu. Good Xiao Long Bao -- not spectacular. Very fine scallion pancake and flounder dish. Sat Aug 04 11:03:23 -0700 2007 2808358 11767 MartyL 1 2804138 I too am a huge fan of soup dumplings having had the good fortune to consume many outstanding ones in the NY/NJ metro area for many years. Unfortunately, the ones at Joe's, A&J, and Chinatown Express are sadly lacking. I don't know what people see in the ones at Chinatown Express, quite frankly. They are *always* oversteamed to the point of most of them bursting, and really, doesn't that defeat the whole purpose of the soup dumpling? The one good thing about CE is that they have a couple of different dipping sauces that are pretty tasty. Now, having said all that, where can you get them? There is a chain of Chinese grocery stores in the area called Great Wall. I know that there's one in Gaithersburg, one in Falls Church/Merrifield, and I think that there is one in Rockville, but I wouldn't swear to it. In their frozen section, they have, under their own brand, frozen soup dumplings. Steam on high for about 10 minutes, and you will have some remarkably tasty, juicy soup dumplings! Be careful. They're so juicy, sometimes they burst when you bite into them. Wed Aug 01 12:49:57 -0700 2007 2803200 12786 FoodieGrrl 2 2804165 No where in DC though? Honestly...chances of me traveling out to a grocery store in Gaithersburg is slim to none (no car...and I really don't make it out of the district that often..for better or for worse). Any grocery store soup dumpling spottings in DC itself? If I can't get them in a restaurant might as well try store bought. Wed Aug 01 12:55:02 -0700 2007 2804138 76776 Elyssa 3 2804973 try the place in Rockville I mentioned. The brief review in the Post today seemed promising. Maybe even give them a call? Seems like a decent enough reason to get a Zipcar and take a trip out! Wed Aug 01 16:30:18 -0700 2007 2804165 51422 Jeserf