Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao - Flushing

On to what many consider to be the best place to get soup dumplings in NYC: Nan Xiang. I am not a connoisseur of soup dumplings per say, but I am well versed in dumplings in general. I've never had a soup dumpling that made be go bonkers. However, the crab and pork soup dumplings at Nan Xiang more than surprised me.

For $6.50 you get six tennis ball sized buns, steamed and smelling quite savory. Taking a bite into one is an interesting experience: first there is a thin, tender wonton wrapper; then the broth floods into your mouth and gives you an immersed feeling of warmth; finally your teeth sink into the combination of pork fat and crab meat that has perfect balances of salt, broth and meat.

We also had a noodle dish that was pretty good, but nothing as exciting as the soup buns. I honestly think that ordering nothing but the soup dumplings and the standard pork buns would be totally fine. Get the best at the best place I say. More or less, everything on the menu is around $5. The place can get pretty crowded, but they seem to seat people very quickly.

Nan Xiang is only a couple blocks up from White Bear on Prince St. so you have a convenient dumpling path. You'd be a fool not to take up both places if you're in the area.

3812 Prince St., New York, NY 11354, menu