Before even serving our food, the waiters in the Bai Nian Tang Bao already setup a set of chopsticks and straw in our table. Chopsticks of course is a no brainer, but my first thought about the straw was for it to be used in our drinks. But I already have a straw on my drink. Now where could we probably use it.
Not until, the Giant Tang Bao was served. It was so huge that it almost looks like a Siopao. With fluffy outer cover and a watery substance inside, I wonder how could we be able to eat it. The solution – the straw.
It was my first time to try it and felt a bit weird at first, sipping a hot soup through a straw straight to your mouth. But eventually, I started to like it. It was something to try on specially that the restaurant Bai Nian Tang Bao has been known for serving the original Xiao Long Bao.
Keep on reading and will tell you more about it.
Filipinos have been acquainted to Chinese foods centuries ago, that it already become part of our lifestyle. Nowadays, you can just go around the corner and you’ll find a Chinese restaurant serving delicious Chinese dishes. But even though, a lot has already been available in the Filipino market, there are still many dishes, just waiting to be brought here and be discovered. Have you heard about the restaurant called Bai Nian Tang Bao?
Hundred Years Soup Dumpling (Bai Nian Tang Bao)
Bai Nian Tang Bao just recently landed in Manila, Philippines with its very first branch in Uptown Parade, BGC. Bai Nian Tang Bao is a world famous restaurant that brings authentic Shanghainese cuisine and serves authentic Xiao Long Bao from the original recipe that has been around since 1786.
Rooting the name of the restaurant, it literally means Hundred Years (Bai Nian) and Soup Dumpling (Tang Bao). Due to its historical value, the first branch of Bai Nian Tang Bao in Shanghai has become a sort of a tourist spot, as visitors from all around the world queue up just to get a taste of their famous Xiao Long Bao.
The restaurant currenly has over 300 branches in China and several branches in US and Korea. Now owners Robert Lim and Paul and Chrisine Li brought Bai Nian Tang Bao’s authentic Xiao Long Bao here in the Philippines.
The Bai Nian Tang Bao Experience
One could really appreciate the food on their table if one have learned how the people inside the kitchen prepared it. While dining at Bai Nian Tang Bao, I’ve learned that it takes around 12 hours to cook the soup. Aside from that, it also takes 20 steps to make an original Xiao Long Bao, and all this is made fresh in their kitchen.
On my visit, I was able to try some of the best sellers that they are offering. One of which was the Giant Tang Bao I was just talking about awhile ago. It is a must try for diners for it comes with a straw to be used to poke the Bao and to drink the delicious soup.
Here are the other Shanghainese Dishes I had;
Crab Roe Xiao Long Bao is made from a special crab found only in a particular lake in Shanghai, the Crab Roe is shipped to the Philippines to ensure an authentic taste.
Other varieties of Xiao Long Bao are also serve here in Bai Nian Tang Bao such as Chicken Soup Pork Xiao Long Bao, Scallops and Pork Xiao Long Bao, and Golden Corn Prok Xiao Long Bao. They even have a pan-friend version called the Shanghai Golden Sheng Jian bao, a traditional Shanghai snack that’s crispy on the outside with juicy soup on the inside!
Noodle fans should also give Bai Nian Tang Bao’s noodle series a try, like the Three Seafood Treasure Fried Noodles or the Shanghai Scallion Oil Noodles.
If you are craving for a different kind of dim sum, you shouldn’t miss the Sticky Rice Dimsum.
If you are a rice person like me, I suggest for you to try the Beef Fried Rice or the Special Sausage Fried Rice. Bai Nian Tang Bao’s Braised Pork in its sweet sauce should also be considered adding in your order list.
With all the items I have tasted, I would definitely wanted to do a round two on the Xiao Long Bao and Braised Pork (with rice). Also, aside from its tasty dishes, prices are of mid-range and could is affordably okay compared to nearby restaurants in Uptown Parade. Appetizers prices are less than Php 100, Rice Bowls are priced around Php 200-240, and dimsums could be bought from Php 180 and up!
