Master Tan Xiaolongbao

Review

Master Tan Xiaolongbao is a stall that has served Guanmiao for about 40 years. A husband and wife split the work, one rolling and filling, the other minding the steamers, and its popularity earned it the joking nickname of Guanmiao's Din Tai Fung. It is an afternoon snack, and many people pick up a basket to go after visiting Guanmiao's pineapple cake shops and old streets.

The hand-rolled skins are thin with a pleasant chew and are best eaten hot. The filling is minced pork with a little scallion, firm, filling and clean-tasting rather than salty, but these are not soup dumplings that burst when bitten. The house chili sauce is mildly hot and fragrant and especially appetizing in summer. An older report listed NT$5 each or NT$50 for a basket of ten; recent reviewers have also mentioned smaller four-piece packs, so check prices on site.

Fans like the thin skins, generous filling, low prices and friendly owners, who may even suggest eating in a nearby park while watching the fish. Complaints center on little soup, small size and dumplings sometimes steamed in advance and left waiting, which makes the skin soft and dulls the aroma. Some got dumplings that were cool in the middle, so it is best to wait for a fresh batch.

Most current information lists hours of 2 pm to 7 pm with Friday to Sunday off, while older reports said only Fridays off and closing at 8 pm. Sources differ, so check before going. It is takeaway only with no seating. Addresses also differ between sources; recent ones mostly give No. 12-1 Zhengyi Street. Street parking outside is fairly easy, and crowds arrive soon after it opens.

It suits people wandering around Guanmiao in the afternoon looking for a cheap snack, or travelers buying pineapple gifts nearby. Order a basket and eat it hot with the chili sauce. When it is quiet, ask for a freshly steamed batch, which makes a big difference. Do not expect soup dumplings; think of them as hearty little pork buns.