Shanghai Fried Xiao Long Bao is a renowned hawker stall operated by an experienced dim sum chef with 25 years of expertise from prestigious establishments like Crystal Jade and Paradise Group. Currently located at Chinatown Complex Market & Food Centre unit #02-205 after relocating within the same building in 2024, this popular stall is famous for its handmade sheng jian bao (pan-fried buns) that deliver an audible crunch from their crispy skin while containing juicy meat and flavorful pork broth. Their signature offerings include traditional sheng jian bao at for 3 pieces, innovative chilli crab sheng jian bao with moderately spicy sauce and crab bits, and steamed xiao long bao at .80 for 6 pieces. The stall also serves various noodle dishes including Zha Jiang Mian, Beef Noodle, and Fresh Shrimp Wanton Noodle. Known for perpetual queues even during off-peak hours, this establishment has become one of Chinatown Complex's most sought-after dining destinations, attracting food enthusiasts seeking restaurant-quality dumplings at hawker prices. Operating from 10:30am-3:30pm and 5:30pm-8:30pm (closed Wednesdays).
im so annoyed that im actly writing this review on the spot — queued for 15 mins, stood in front of tmr cashier for 5-10 mins just to order our food with ZERO hoots given by the staff. staff told us that we had to wait 30-40 mins. waited for approx 45 mins so we went to find them and they said they called us many times…… apparently we were seated too far from their shop hence the system
could not locate our buzzer??? they didn’t bother saying that to us when we ordered??? so we had our food cold omg so annoyed if i could give a 0 i would. + the food was legit below avg ugh gross.
Star Carter
This place specialises in panfried pork bun (not xiao long bao). Because actual Shanghai panfried xiao long bao has thin skin like actual xiao long bao. Despite that, the fluffy pillowy pan fried buns are good snacks. The filling is juicy and there are two options: with prawn and without. However, their actual xiao long Bao are disappointing, the skin is thick and meat soup is not tasty. The noodle is also bad, overcooked and flat taste, single dimension, no special sauce to dress the noodle so it tasted pretty flat just flavour of salt and chilli. The wantons are let down too, very little meat and tough. Overall, I would order their pan fried bun but I would not queue more than 10mins for them. Save my stomach space for the other better stall on the next row - zhong guo la mian xiao long Bao, amazing xiao long Bao and wantons.
Positive Reviews
Johnson K
It took about 15 minutes for our order to come, but it was well worth the wait as they cook your order and steam dumplings upon request. Xiaolongbao both original and black truffle were light and well tasting, and the fried buns were even better. They do have radio coasters to let you know when your order is ready so you don't have to wait around the stall. Well worth a try!
Diem Kyi
We first discovered this shop on a trip last year and headed back to Chinatown Complex with them specifically in mind. Oh my, the fried prawn (shrimp) bun might be the tastiest thing ever, we came back 3 times in a week. Crispy bottom, delicious filling and great balance of filling to bun. You may need to wait a little as they fry the buns in large batches, we found it was usually 10-15 mins.
Their wanton noodle soup was also great, had that for breakfast and the wonton pastry and filling was superb. Highly recommend going early to not miss out. Just wonderful!
calvin tan
Chances upon this in search of grub at Chinatown, the 葱油拌面 was lightly flavoured although it clumped up a bit (probably coz I didn’t tuck in immediately), but the highlight’s definitely the 生煎包! Nice & crisp on one end, beautifully presented & nicely flavoured. Had the 辣椒螃蟹, filling wasn’t too shabby, had a nice chunk of crab in one of them!
Would be back with family!
Alvin Choo
We came here as the stall we wanted to eat at had an insane queue. I wanted the 炸酱面 but it was not available that day, so I got the lion mane noodle instead. We also got their various dumplings to share. The food is decent and you will need to wait for some of the things to be cooked upon ordering.
Y T
The famous pan-fried pork bun is delicious! The skin is not too thick, and the bottom was wonderfully crispy. We tried the original and chili crab flavors, as the prawn option was sold out. Both flavors were good, though I preferred the original. I also tried the prawn dumplings soup and loved the wonton.
I am thankful that the weekend lunch queue was manageable, and the service was relatively fast. The chef handmade the buns right at the stall. I recalled that during my last visit on a weekday evening, the queue was long, and the food had sold out.
This stall is worth checking out when the queue is manageable.
