A video released by Time Out London likening xiao long bao dumpling soup to popping spots has angered Asians.
In the video [see below] that was published on Facebook, diners are seen bursting their xiao long bao dumplings, allowing the soup to pour out, before eating them.
The traditional way to enjoy the Chinese dumplings is to suck the soup out before eating the rest of the dumpling’s contents which often include minced pork. The soup inside the dumpling is the most prized part of the xiao long bao.
Dating back to 1875 in China, the xiao long bao is traditionally eaten with ginger strips and vinegar.
Originating in China, Xiao Long Bao have a passionate foodie fan following.
“Love popping spots and eating dumplings? Combine the two with exploding soup dumplings,” Time Out London writes in the video caption.
“They’re super dribbly and also very satisfying to watch,” the video adds as diners are seen breaking open the dumpling.
Sufficed to say, the video hasn’t gone down well with Asians on the internet, with many criticising the “lack of education” gone into the video.
“The entire video was one big blasphemy. I’m screaming internally and not in an excited way,” said Kenneth Ting. “That is not how you eat Xiao Long Bao. It’s a complete waste of something so good.”
“This video is giving me anxiety because you are definitely not supposed to squeeze the soup out of them or ‘explode’ them as you crudely put it,” said Christina Chan in a Facebook comment that drew more than 1,000 likes.
“My traditional food is not here just for your next cool trend.”
Singaporean Facebook user Jasmine Tan said, “Watching you waste all that soup is akin to someone getting fish and chips and peeling the batter off.”
“This is not ‘hip’ or cool. Just eat it right and stop wasting the best part: [the soup],” said Casey Pardue.
Time Out London told the BBC, “We love nothing more than discovering and celebrating incredible food from around the world.”
“We burst soup dumplings to show people in our video the delicious soup that was inside them, so they could enjoy the visual treat of the broth that is tasted but not seen.”
“Later on, you see the journalist biting into the unburst dumpling and enjoying the ‘explosion’ on her taste buds.”
Brian Chow offered instructions on how to properly eat a xiao long bao on Time Out’s Facebook page, “The soup inside is not supposed to ‘explode’ in your bowl but in your mouth,” he explained, noting that these special dumplings were “usually more expensive than normal dumplings” because of the extra effort it takes to put the soup inside.
