Best Of Cleveland: Soup Dumplings

At LJ Shanghai, a cartoon soup dumpling with tiny eyes and a wide smile teaches diners how to properly consume xiao long bao, the Shanghainese delicacy ($5 for six) for which the restaurant is known. Illustrated instructions on each table outline the process, which owner Edmond Tsui admits can be difficult even for experienced foodies. “The first time, everybody messes up, no matter what,” he laughs. “Sometimes the soup dumplings end up on the customer’s shirt.” Here’s how to do it: Begin by biting a small hole in the paper-thin dumpling wrapper, then very carefully suck out the hot soup broth inside. Once you’ve drunk the dumpling dry, use your chopsticks to dip it in a spoonful of house-made gingery vinegar. Then eat up, savoring the combination of seasoned pork and white-meat chicken inside. The dumplings are so popular that restaurant staff comes in at 4 a.m. every day to prepare them by hand. “We’re open almost one year already,” Tsui says, “and we’re doing very good business.” 3142 Superior Ave., Cleveland, 216-400-6936

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