XLB in OC?

[BrewNChow]

Where's the best place nowadays? It being dumpling month and all...

[BrewNChow]

Alright I gave it a shot and to me they were just so-so. The skin was good, but they didn't blow me away taste-wise. Like someone said about the soup, the dumplings just tasted a little light to me. Like they needed to turn up the flavor a notch. But they were a lot better than some other versions I've had around here. Thanks for the rec! Any other places that do a decent version for comparison's sake?

[Porthos]

Like I said, the only version I like better is the crab and pork ones at J&J in SGV.

Which ones do you like better?

[BrewNChow]

Formosa's. Got them today to make a comparison, and while they LOOK much worse (they look thick, doughy, saggy and generally bad. Like they were defrosted) they taste a lot better!
Weekends only.

Speaking of crab and pork version, does that exist around here?

[Porthos]

You dip them in black vinegar and top with ginger right? I find that with the standard black vinegar and ginger dip, the XLB at Lao Dong are mmm mmm good.

As for crab and pork XLB, unfortunately I have not found anything decent in the OC.

[BrewNChow]

Yeah, although Formosa didn't give me ginger which was kinda weird I thought but they did have vinegar. No chili oil either except theirs didn't need it. LD's did...

[BrewNChow]

Today I got the XLB at Tasty Noodle House and I also felt those were very good, better flavor than Lao Dong, and more importantly, they did have crabmeat XLB on the menu.

They didn't have it, so I asked if they ever actually have it (so often these places list things on their menu that they never actually have.)

They told me that they get their crabmeat in a shipment from Shanghai, and that it would take another month or two to get, but starting in April/May they would have crabmeat XLB and they would have it throughout the summer.

We'll see if that's true, but it's at least a possibility we'll have local crab XLB soon.

[Porthos]

How is the wrapper? Smooth an thin and a touch chewy or is it the thicker kind like Dean Sin World or 101 Noodle Express?

[BrewNChow]

I don't really know, what are some examples of the former? The wrapper wasn't as thick as those places'. But I don't really know how distinct the styles are, so I don't know how much thinner it must get before it crosses over. I will say there wasn't that much soup in them, but I was surprised how little I felt that detracted from them, they're damn good.

[Porthos]

So I tried the XLB at Tasty Noodle House.

The wrappers here are thicker vs the ones at Lao Dong. It is stronger flavored because they put more soy sauce and sesame oil in their filling. As you noted, not that much juice inside because most of it leaked out onto the steamer. See picture below.

I much prefer the Lao Dong ones. The juice pops through the thin skin of the wrapper when you devour them whole. A perfect bite.

[BrewNChow]

Yikes, those are kind of a mess. I don't think I've ever had that much leakage. Those Shanghai grilled buns they have are great too.

I'm starting to think XLBs are a very individual thing; I retried LD's version and still thought they weren't all that, but that's just me. Apparently in Shanghai the XLBs don't usually have heaps of soup broth in them.

[Porthos]

Apparently in Shanghai the XLBs don't usually have heaps of soup broth in them
===========
Depends on the version you try. Some do some don't.

The Lao Dong ones have the perfect amount of broth for me. About the same amount as J&J. Not gushing like Joe's Shanghai NYC. The LD ones are best in class for me. The J&J ones being best in the crab/pork class.

[BrewNChow]

I've had J&J's crab version and I agree with you 100% on their deliciousness. (you mean Jin Jian or something like that right? same place? Next to Mei Long?)

[Porthos]

That's the one! :)

[BrewNChow]

Cool well Tasty Noodle will have the crab version this summer, apparently they get that hairy crab imported from Shanghai and it's a summer only kind of thing. I'll post on here when they have them, maybe they'll be worth another shot!

[Porthos]

Weird since in Shanghai I was told they only do the hairy crab+roe XLB in the fall.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chines...

[scottca075]

If you go to the shopping centers at Jeffrey & Walnut you have Lao Dong Beef, Yu's Kitchen, Liang's, AJ's, Home Town Deli and Chong Qing Mei Wei. Not all all fro XLB per se, I like AJ's for those, but if one place is too busy you have many alternatives, including Sam Woo.

[Porthos]

The restaurants aren't the problem. The problem is trying to find parking so you can even go to 1 of those...at least the side that houses Lao Dong, 101, Sam Woo, 99 Ranch. Even that pre-school in the corner and illegal bank parking aren't options.

[scottca075]

Maybe if you go between 12PM and 1PM, but I was at Home Town Deli last week at 1:30 and had no issues parking.

When I go to AJ's I usually try to get there 11:30ish and never have a problem in that center.

[Porthos]

For me, the ones at Lao Dong Beef Noodles on Jeffery are as good as anything in LA. The only ones I like better are the crab and pork ones at J&J.

I've only tried the pork ones. They also have beef ones.

Try them both and report back!

[Professor Salt]

Imma seconding Lao Dong Beef Noodles. Just tried them this week for the first time, and the XLB were terrific.

[JAB]

I just noticed this place while leaving the parking lot having gone to S.W. Seafood. I'll have to give it a try if I can talk the wife out of Cantonese for a change.

[js76wisco]

Going to that plaza today for lunch. What else is good at Lao Dong?

[Porthos]

Parking is a royal pain.

Below is my write up of my 2 visits.

The beef noodle soup is okay. Noodles got better on the second visit. I would probably recommend the brisket in clear broth if you are okay with lighter broths. Otherwise, the standard broth with soy sauce which is also on the lighter side. The cold side dishes seem to be a hit.

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/881065

[js76wisco]

One of the worst lots.

Have to reschedule couldn't convince my lunch mates out of Liang's Kitchen. They had their hearts set of the beef roll and dumplings in chili oil. Thanks for the reco.

[JAB]

Is Liang's better than 101 for beef rolls and dumplings?

[js76wisco]

The dumplings are different. We usually get the pan fried pork dumplings at 101 and smaller dumplings in hot chili oil at Liang's. Two totally different versions but both very good.

The beef roll at 101 is the classic version and excellent. At Liang's we get the spicy pork roll with jalapenos. The pancake is usually a little crispier at Liang's.

The beef noodle soup at Liang's is better with the thick cut noodles.

Liang's is more expensive than 101 and they don't have the spicy green onion condiment.

[Porthos]

Had the clear broth NRM again, it's very light to the point it gets lost after eating the XLB in vinegar and ginger.

The clear broth is good if you like really really light broths.

Otherwise I think most people would like the soy based ones more.

Good luck with those unadventurous lunch mates ;-)

[Porthos]

Pork XLB at Lao Dong

[JAB]

If the XLBs at Lao Dong aren't the best that I've ever had, they're certainly the best in recent memory. Thanks Porthos!