XLB ASAP
Your San Gabriel Valley soup dumpling search is over
It's no secret: Angelenos love some good xiao long bao, the steamed soup dumplings filled with pork or crab (or both) and a burst of meaty broth. The line seems endless at Din Tai Fung, the reigning queen of the XLB scene, but there are more (even better) options for soup dumplings in the San Gabriel Valley.
Tastio Also known as Dean Sin World, these are the dumplings ($5 for 10) to beat: The skin is thin but not delicate, the filling is rich and flavorful, and the dipping sauce is extra-tart, with lots of garlic and ginger. There are only four tables in the tiny storefront, but Tastio is also a wholesaler--buy a bag of frozen dumplings ($14 for 50) to go. 306 N. Garfield Ave. #2, Monterey Park; 626-571-0636
Mei Long Village This restaurant has excellent Chinese food across the board, but their XLB ($5.50 for 10) really shine. Their skins are thin and prone to tearing--eat them in a spoon--but the delicious pork and crab filling makes up for it. 301 W. Valley Blvd. Ste. 112, San Gabriel; 626-284-4769
J&J In the same strip mall as Mei Long Village, you'll see long lines here on weekends, and the soulful pork soup dumplings ($5.50 for 10) are worth the wait. The wrappers are thicker than most; make sure to add a dash of black rice vinegar before slurping them up in one bite. 301 W. Valley Blvd. Ste. 109, San Gabriel; 626-308-9238
