How a Trip to Shanghai Turned a Xiaolongbao Skeptic into a Fan

baskets of freshly made xiaolongbao(soup dumpling)by Marco and Giovanna

When Marco and his girlfriend arrived in Shanghai from Italy, they were eager to dive into China’s food scene.

Like many visitors to Shanghai, they were excited to try local specialties. One food in particular was at the top of the list for Marco's girlfriend: xiaolongbao, Shanghai's famous soup dumplings.

There was only one small problem.

Marco wasn't a fan of xiaolongbao.

While his girlfriend loved them, he had never really understood the appeal. He would happily try many Chinese dishes, but soup dumplings were not something he would normally choose.

That's what made their cooking class at Yin Studio so memorable.

Instead of simply eating xiaolongbao in a restaurant, they learned how to make them from scratch.

They mixed fillings, practiced folding techniques, and carefully wrapped each dumpling by hand. Like many first-time students, they quickly discovered that making a beautiful soup dumpling is much harder than it looks.

There were plenty of laughs along the way.

plenty of laughs during the soup dumpling making

As the dumplings steamed, Marco and his girlfriend watched their creations slowly take shape. What had started as pieces of dough and filling became a basket of freshly made xiaolongbao.

Then came the most important moment: tasting them.

Marco took a bite.

And something changed.

Maybe it was because he had made them himself. Maybe it was because he finally understood the craftsmanship behind every dumpling. Or maybe freshly made xiaolongbao simply taste different when they're still hot from the steamer.

Whatever the reason, he smiled and admitted that he finally understood why his girlfriend loved them so much.

By the end of the class, the self-proclaimed xiaolongbao skeptic had become a fan.

For us, this is one of the things we enjoy most about hosting cultural experiences in Shanghai.

Sometimes guests learn a new skill.

Sometimes they discover a new side of Chinese culture.

And sometimes, they unexpectedly fall in love with a food they never thought they would enjoy.

Thank you, Marco and Giovanna, for sharing this memorable afternoon with us.

Memorable photo for soup dumpling class at Yin Studio in Shanghai

We hope your trip through China was filled with wonderful meals, unforgettable memories, and perhaps a few more baskets of xiaolongbao.