SuHang is situated on the very busy Roosevelt Road that dissects Taipei. Here you can expect to find a xiaolongbao restaurant that has been a cherished institution since its opening in 1967. This timeless restaurant beckons diners from near and far with its authentic flavours and budget-friendly options, making it a standout choice among the many restaurants in the area.
The Ultimate Guide to 15 Amazing Xiao Long Bao Restaurants in Taipei
SuHang, through the decades, has perfected the art of crafting the delectable xiaolongbao, those savoury steamed dumplings that have become synonymous with Taiwanese cuisine. With their extensive experience and commitment to quality, SuHang consistently delivers the sort of dining experience that keeps you coming back for more.
Taipei Restaurant – 北大行小籠包 Bei Da Hang’s Big Steamed Soup Dumplings to Get Stuck Into.
In a city where dining out on xiaolongbao can often become an unexpectedly pricey affair, SuHang's menu offers a welcomed relief for those looking to savor the city's culinary delights without burning a hole in their wallets. It's no wonder that locals and tourists alike appreciate SuHang and relish their tasty xiaolongbao, knowing they can enjoy an authentic Taiwanese dining experience without breaking the bank.
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So, whether you're a longtime fan of xiaolongbao or a curious newcomer eager to explore Taipei's culinary treasures, SuHang is somewhat of an institution that promises an affordable entry to steamed soup dumplings and a taste of tradition that has been perfected over half a century.
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It's quite a visually appealing restaurant from the outside. I like the wood, I like the contrast of the light wood with the dark lettering, and I think it really draws you in with the clean yet relaxed atmosphere it seems to project. However, it is not maintained like this on the inside. Expect to see buckets and bowls catching drips from a whole host of areas ranging from the ceiling to the AC units, expect to see a lot of staff pushing past eachother and talking very loudly (and remarkably informally), and expect it to be quite chaotic.
It's not the kind of atmosphere I like to eat in at a restaurant. It's what I expect from a busy market stall, but not a sit down restaurant like this.
If you aren't sure how to order or what to do when you arrive at SuHang, then this is the post for you. See below for How to Order in Taipei Restaurants like a definitive pro!
3 Fast Tips on How to Order in Taipei Restaurants like a definitive pro!
The Menu at SuHang Xiaolongbao
The menu is split into 11 sections, but the most important of those are:
- 小籠包 - Xiǎo lóng bāo - steamed soup dumplings
- 蒸餃 - zhēng jiǎo- Steamed dumplings
- 酥餅 - sū bǐng - Pastry
- 炒飯 - chǎo fàn - Fried rice
大滷湯 The Everything Soup
I didn't really know what to call this kind of soup. However, I think an 'everything' soup is perhaps more fitting, as you kind of find a little bit of everything inside it.
Inside the thick soup you'll find noodles, egg, assorted vegetables that include wood ear mushrooms, carrot, bamboo shoots, bok choi, and also some strips of pork. I wasn't enamoured by this soup, and I would certainly not order it again. There just didn't seem to be much flavour. It felt like the main aim of this dish was to fill the belly of the person who orders it, in a relatively balanced way. But, if flavour is what you're wanting, then I'd encourage you to order something else.
Alternatively, if you do want a filling meal and want to give this a go, then get some of the vinegar over at the sauce station in here to give it a slightly acidic kick that can help to pull some of the flavours out.
小籠包 Xiaolongbao
Not many greater sites when eating around Taipei, than a bamboo basket with these beautiful offerings inside. You'll find 8 xiaolongbao lurking inside, perfectly portioned up and ready for you to take them down. They look good, they look uniformed in size, and they also look like excellent value for money considering their relative size to their price.
I definitely live by the Din Tai Fung method of eating my XLB, wherin I create a hole in the skin of the dumpling to release the soup; drink the soup; dip the dumpling in the soy, vinegar, and ginger dipping sauce; and then take it in one.
The soup inside these was heavier and darker than many I have had before. The flavour definitely tasted more concentrated and flavourful than offerings at other xiaolongbao establishments. The skin was quite thick, but I don't necessarily hate that about them. The pork filling is plentiful and the taste is a tried and tested one that works well, time and time again. It feels less refined than the kind of xiaolongbao - Din Tai Fung. But, I think it offers greater value for money for an every day meal.
蝦仁蒸餃 Shrimp & Pork Steamed Dumplings
Sometimes we don't always want hot soup coming out of a dumpling and potentially scolding the inside of your mouth. For those of you out there 1. Consider eating your XLB using the Din Tai Fung method above, or 2. Opt for steamed dumplings such as these.
8 interestingly pleated steamed dumplings await you in this bamboo steamer. They are generous in size, and clearly full of filling that will be sure to surprise you.
The fact that each steamed dumpling here contains a fat shrimp with plenty of pork is excellent news. The skin is quite thick but still remains pretty tasty. The pork stuffing inside is well seasoned and the shrimp gives that wonderful seafood freshness that is most welcomed to cut through the heavier flavours. I highly recommend these.
Taro Pastry & Red Date Pastry
Those of you regular readers of Eating in Taipei know and understand my afinity for pastry. More often than not, when I see pastry on the menu - I get it. SuHang is not an exception to this rule. And I was very glad to have ordered these.
重酥芋泥松子 Taro and pine nut pastry (on the left) & 重酥棗泥豆沙 Red date and red bean pastry (on the right)
I will start with the taro and pine nut pastry on the left: The taro was lightly sweetened with the crushed pine nut bringing in a nice depth of flavour. But the real winner here was the delicate layers of pastry. I enjoyed this a lot.
Next up is the red date and red bean on the right: This was the better of the two, for my taste. The balance of red date and red bean here was perfect. Dates tend to be sweeter, and red beans tend to be slightly more savoury. The combination of both in here gave a perfectly balanced paste with a mild smokiness coming in from that red bean paste. Similar layers of pastry come through for that decadence.
The Bottom Line
Is it worth it? If you're looking for a quick xiaolongbao fix in the evening without breaking the bank, then you should consider SuHang. But I wouldn't bring family or friends here for the welcoming atmosphere.
What is the best dish? The XLB are solid, and the pastry is good, too. Consider ordering the XLB for your meal and then getting some of those pastries to take out.
Are there other places like this? There are so many places like this, but not many that can match SuHang for its reasonable prices. You can find some of the alternatives below.
Alternatives to SuHang
The Ultimate Guide to 15 Amazing Xiao Long Bao Restaurants in Taipei
Taipei Restaurant – 北大行小籠包 Bei Da Hang’s Big Steamed Soup Dumplings to Get Stuck Into.
Taipei Restaurant – Din Tai Fung 鼎泰豐 Is Spectacular, and It’s 1 Restaurant You Must Eat At!
Taipei restaurant – ShengYuan Loofah steamed soup dumplings 盛園絲瓜小籠湯包