My Last Meal

Okay, not my last last meal, but if I had a "Last Meal" it would be what we used to call growing up in Vancouver at the infamous Shanghai Palace, "juicy buns" a.k.a. Juicy Pork Soup Dumplings a.k.a. Xiaolongbao.  Upon the first nibble of this perfectly folded and shaped steamed dumpling cradled in your spoon, the most savory, comforting stock pours out the side which you slurp up lovingly and noisily.  OH...MY...LORD.  If you love pork and relish in heavenly experiences, you cannot miss this experience. It is quite common to couple the dumpling with a mixture of slivered ginger, soy and rice vinegar, which you see in the second photo.  Most people I don't think have had these dumplings, but if you ever get the chance you HAVE TO and that's an order!  I happen to go with a few friends to the Din Tai Fung Dumpling House.  Check our the website to read about their delicious origins!  I am anxious to try more spots around town who specialize in this particular pork dumpling, perhaps a more "hole in the wall" restaurant just to compare it to this larger place. I heard there are a few more in Bellevue, WA that are just as good. It's interesting I hadn't found them in the more obvious location of the International District, but maybe they are there; I just haven't looked I guess.  Please enjoy the Dumpling Porn!  (not seen in photos: the Shrimp and Pork Wontons with Spicy Sauce - not to miss seriously, GET SOME!  we ate them too fast to photograph!)

"Juicy Pork Dumplings"


Oh wait I see the spicy wontons in the back! Hehe.


"Vegetarian Dumplings"


"Shrimp and Pork Shao Mai"