Sopa dentro do Pão

Tongbao 湯包 the Soupy Bun: Too Darn Hot

[a street in Shanghai]

"So where are we heading Ngauyuk? You know where Xiaolongbao is, right?"

Ngauyukjingbao didn't utter a word in response to the query of the brothers. He just walked mutely in deep thought along the droves of crowd on the streets of Shanghai. The weather is sizzling hot. But not as much as the blood of our Les Trois Mousquetaires de Buns.

All of a sudden, Ngauyukjingbao's eyes locked on a woman resting on the counter of a classy restaurant for a tenth of a second. Something struck him. Something struck him big and he started out singing and dancing in the middle of the street for reason completely unknown to the brothers --

"It's too darn hot,
It's too darn hot.
I'd like to sup with my baby tonight,
Fulfill the cup with my baby tonight --"

He catapulted over to the woman he saw and said "How nice to see you again," and he turned round to Chaxiubao and Sunjingbao "this is Xiaolongbao."

"Xiaolongbao!" the brothers gasped.

"Xiaolongbao, you're still hot as hell -- but, look at you, have you put on SOME weight or what!"

"SMACK!" A slap on the face was all Ngauyukjingbao got from this sassy lady in return of his blunt comment.

"I'm Xiaolongbao's over-sized twin sister, Tongbao, you damn fool. And you got some nerves to come back after what you've done to me!"

Ngauyukjingbao gave a shrug. "Sorry for the goof,"  "You know, every bun has its black. Now, would you excuse us..."

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You can easily tell Tongbao is the twin sibling of Xiaolongbao for they have so much in common. The recipes are pretty much identical except for two things: a) Tongbao's size is often twice or even trice larger than her sister's and b) the soupy bun's fillings is mixed with way more water so that it becomes even juicier than her sister after the steaming: you know, the darn hot consomme squirting all over the mouth when you bite it.

She is not playing hard to get with your chopsticks -- no, no -- this teetering and slippery bun is in fact impossible to get with chopsticks alone, even the best pair of chopsticks in seasoned hand (like mine) won't do. You either lever it from the steamer with spoon heedfully; or alternatively and more fashionably, like everyone else in Shanghai does, prick in a straw and sup the ethereal juice all out before you gnaw the bun. Mind you, the soup within is hot, darn hot.

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Ningpo Dumplings Shop 寧波湯糰店
Add: Facing the Starbucks --yes, Starbucks -- right across the entrance of the famous YuYuan Garden, Shanghai
 

June 07, 2005 in