Shanghai Fried Xiao Long Bao at Parkway Parade

Located in Food Republic @ Parkway Parade, Shanghai Fried Xiao Long Bao sells freshly made sheng jian bao (pan-fried pork buns) and xiao long bao. The food court stall also sells Shanghai dumplings and noodles.

Fried Xiao Long Bao at Parkway Parade

Shang Hai Fried Xiao Long Bao (上海生煎小笼包) was a very popular stall in Chinatown Complex Food Centre (photo below). That stall had just ceased operations (in May 2024) for undisclosed reasons. Shanghai Fried Xiao Long Bao at Parkway Parade is not a branch of the popular Chinatown Complex stall, despite the almost identical names. Their logos are different and the menus also differ.

The stall in Parkway Parade seems to be part of the Food Republic stable. There are also Shanghai Fried Xiao Long Bao stalls selling sheng jian bao at Food Republic 313@Somerset and Food Opera ION Orchard.

Shanghai Fried Xiao Long Bao at Parkway Parade is located inside Food Republic food court. You will find it in the basement, close to the corner near CS Fresh (Cold Storage). The stall has a few tables in a dedicated dining area, but you can also purchase your food and enjoy it anywhere else within the large food court.

Menu of Shanghai Fried Xiao Long Bao

The signature items at Shanghai Fried Xiao Long Bao are the sheng jian bao, available with either a pork or shrimp filling, and the xiao long bao. The menu also features wonton dumplings and pot stickers (fried dumplings), alongside zha jiang mian and a selection of other noodle dishes.

Xiao Long Bao & Sheng Jian Bao

We ordered Xiao Long Bao ($7 for 6 pieces) and Sheng Jian Bao with Pork Filling ($5.60 for 3 pieces). After paying,
we waited for about 5 minutes while the food was being prepared.

The Xiao Long Bao lived up to all our expectations. Their appearance was similar to those found in popular chain restaurants specialising in these delicate parcels. The soft, smooth skin gave way to a flavourful broth within each dumpling.

The Fried Xiao Long Bao or Sheng Jian Bao could have been presented more attractively. Nevertheless, it still had a certain visual appeal.

Sheng Jian Bao traditionally features a thicker skin compared to Xiao Long Bao. This allows for pan-frying to create a firm and crispy bottom, while the top retains its soft and fluffy texture. Unfortunately, the browned base of our Sheng Jian Bao lacked the expected crispness, and the rest of the bao was a touch doughy. Despite this, the filling of pork meatball and broth delivered on flavour. Overall, it was not a bad rendition of Sheng Jian Bao. Being able to enjoy it in the air-conditioned comfort of the food court was certainly a good thing.

However, given the choice, we would prefer to queue up in a warm and noisy food centre for the cheap and good Sheng Jian Bao from Shang Hai Fried Xiao Long Bao at Chinatown Complex Food Centre. It is a pity that the stall in Chinatown has ceased operations.

Shanghai Fried Xiao Long Bao
Food Republic @ Parkway Parade
80 Marine Parade Road, Singapore 449269