In search for the perfect soup dumpling

Hannah and I visited NYC in March 2009 and one of the most memorable things is the delicious soup dumplings in Chinatown. It was a small, non-attractive Chinese shop with a long queue outside the shop throughout the day. I had known about the shop when I was working in NYC couple of years prior. We queue for half and hour before we got our seats, and when we went into the shop we had to share the table with two other parties. However, it was all worth it because it was the best soup dumpling we ever had. The dumplings were served in a streamed bamboo basket, and the skin was so thin that it would break if you pick it up with your chopsticks.

Ever since then, we have been on this quest for best soup dumplings in Auckland. The results have been disappointing. However, Hannah had heard about this place call Jolin Shanghai Chinese Restaurant in Mt. Eden and it was rumored to have great soup dumplings... Can you imagine our excitement!? We decided to go and try out the dumplings today. It is a small restaurant with less than 12 tables, and nice little Chinese decorations.

Verdict:
It was the best soup dumpling we ever had in Auckland, but it is still not comparable to the ones in NYC. The skin is a bit too thick and tough. Furthermore, I think the meat in the dumpling are not as well seasoned. However, the shop has another signature dish - Braised Pork and it is delicious! Very fatty and very tasty! The meat are cooked slowly to allow the spices to mix into the flavors of the pork, and connective tissues turn into this gluey, tasty gel. It was served in a nice Chinese-design pot with hot water at the base to keep the dish nice and warm.

The food is good, and the price is reasonable. The two dishes are large enough for both of us as a full meal, and the total cost is about $25.

Braised pork

Soup dumpling

Hannah trying the dumpling

Hmmm... verdict?