莱莱小笼 Lai Lai Xiao Long Bao Shanghai Review
Hi my lovely readers!
If you are heading to Shanghai and only have time for one proper breakfast stop, make it this one. 莱莱小笼 (Lái Lái Xiǎolóng) has been tucked in a lane just off 南京路步行街 (Nánjīng Lù Bùxíngjiē / Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street) since 2006 and its Michelin Bib Gourmand 2025 recognition is not a coincidence. This place has been consistent for nearly two decades and the locals know it.
We arrived at around 9am and the queue was already snaking out the door. Do not let that put you off. Shanghainese breakfast culture is quick, and diners here eat and move on. From joining the line to sitting down with food in front of us, it was not nearly as long a wait as it looked.
What We Ordered and Ate at 莱莱小笼 (Lái Lái Xiǎolóng)
Start here: the 蟹粉小笼包 (xiè fěn xiǎolóngbāo / crab roe soup dumplings). This is the reason everyone is in that queue and they absolutely live up to it. Each basket is wrapped to order. The filling is rich and briny with that distinctive depth that crab roe brings, and the skin is thin enough that you get a clean little rush of broth the moment you bite through. They are something else.
We also tried the regular pork 小笼包 (xiǎolóngbāo / soup dumplings / RMB 28 / SGD 5.50) and they are good, but if the 蟹粉小笼包 (xiè fěn xiǎolóngbāo / 8 crab roe soup dumplings / RMB 48 / SGD 9) are available, get those instead. These are even better!
Beyond the 小笼包 (xiǎolóngbāo / soup dumplings), the 炸猪排 (zhá zhūpái / fried pork chop cutlet / RMB 25 / SGD 5) was a highlight we did not expect. Crispy and deeply savoury, the kind of thing you eat half of before you even register you have started. Do not skip it.
The 虾仁馄饨汤 (xiārén húntun tāng / prawn wonton soup/ RMB 55 / SGD 10.50) was clean and fresh, a lovely lighter counterpoint to the richness of everything else on the table. We also ordered a 蔬菜年糕汤 (shūcài niángāo tāng / vegetable rice cake soup/ RMB 69 / SGD 13), which was mild and comforting but the least essential thing we got.
One thing you absolutely cannot skip, regardless of what else you order: the 姜丝醋 (jiāngsī cù / ginger strips in vinegar). It costs RMB 1 (SGD 0.20) per plate and it completely transforms every bite on the table. Order it with the Xiao Long Bao.
The four of us spent slightly over RMB 200 (SGD 38) in total, which works out to around RMB 50 (SGD 10) each. For the setting, that did feel a little steep. But the 蟹粉小笼包 (xiè fěn xiǎolóngbāo / crab roe soup dumplings) alone justified it. My honest recommendation: at minimum get the 蟹粉小笼包 (xiè fěn xiǎolóngbāo / crab roe soup dumplings), the 炸猪排 (zhá zhūpái / fried pork chop cutlet), and the 虾仁馄饨汤 (xiārén húntun tāng / prawn wonton soup). That combination is the sweet spot.
The Vibe at 莱莱小笼 (Lái Lái Xiǎolóng)
This is not a sit-and-linger kind of place. The space is small, the tables are packed together, and the energy is brisk. Locals come in, order, eat fast, and move on. There is something I actually love about that.
The system is simple: you queue to order at the counter first, they give you a number, and your food is brought to your table. The staff are efficient rather than chatty, which is completely fine. You are here for the 小笼包 (xiǎolóngbāo / soup dumplings) and the experience delivers on exactly that.
The interior is no-frills, nothing fancy, just steamer baskets stacked high and the smell of pork and ginger in the air. I found it charming in exactly the way that unpretentious old Shanghai spots tend to be.
If You Are Travelling Solo
Eating here solo is completely easy. The tables are shared, so you will be seated alongside other diners, which is completely normal and nobody pays you any attention. It is just how it works here, and honestly, it is a nice little slice of how Shanghainese locals start their day.
Solo Female Tip: If the queue looks overwhelming when you arrive, join it. It moves faster than it appears. The ordering system at the counter is simple and you can point at the menu if your Mandarin is not quite there yet. Having screenshots of what you want to order already on your phone will go a long way.
Getting There
📍 天津路 (Tiānjīn Lù / Tianjin Road) 504号, 黄浦区 (Huángpǔ Qū / Huangpu District), Shanghai
🚇 人民广场 (Rénmín Guǎngchǎng / People’s Square) Station, Lines 1, 2, or 8. It is about an 8 to 10 minute walk towards 南京路步行街 (Nánjīng Lù Bùxíngjiē / Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street).
🚗 DiDi to 天津路504号 (Tiānjīn Lù 504 hào). Drop-off is straightforward.
🕐 8:00am to 2:00pm, then 3:00pm to 8:00pm daily. Please note there is a break between 2:00 and 3:00 p.m.
💰 RMB 50 to 100 (SGD 10 to 19) per person, depending on what you order.
📱 WeChat Pay (微信支付 / Wēixìn Zhīfù) and Alipay (支付宝 / Zhīfùbǎo) accepted. Cash is also fine.
Before You Go, Meituan and WeChat
莱莱小笼 (Lái Lái Xiǎolóng) is listed on Meituan (美团 / Měituán), which is useful for checking current wait times before you head over and for browsing the menu in advance. This is really handy because the menu inside is in Chinese only, so having a screenshot of what you want to order already pulled up on your phone makes the process at the counter much smoother.
Payment is easy with WeChat Pay (微信支付 / Wēixìn Zhīfù) or Alipay (支付宝 / Zhīfùbǎo). There is no reservation here. It is walk-in and queue-only.
Handy Mandarin Phrases
- 我要一笼蟹粉小笼包 (Wǒ yào yī lóng xiè fěn xiǎolóngbāo) — I’d like one basket of crab roe soup dumplings
- 一笼鲜肉小笼包 (Yī lóng xiānròu xiǎolóngbāo) — One basket of pork soup dumplings
- 请给我姜丝醋 (Qǐng gěi wǒ jiāngsī cù) — Please give me the ginger in vinegar
- 多少钱？(Duōshǎo qián?) — How much is it?
- 可以扫码付钱吗？(Kěyǐ sǎo mǎ fùqián ma?) — Can I pay by QR code?
- 谢谢 (Xièxiè) — Thank you
Frequently Asked Questions About 莱莱小笼 (Lái Lái Xiǎolóng) Shanghai
Is the queue at Lai Lai Xiaolongbao Shanghai worth it? Yes, and it moves much faster than it looks. Shanghainese diners tend to eat quickly, so seats turn over at a good pace. The ordering system is efficient and the food arrives fast once you sit down. If you manage your expectations and go hungry, you will be glad you went.
How long do you have to wait at 莱莱小笼 (Lái Lái Xiǎolóng)? It depends on what time you arrive. Go right at 8am when they open and the wait is minimal. Arrive at 9am and you can expect a queue that looks longer than it actually is. The afternoon session, starting at 3pm is generally quieter. Avoid the 9am to 11am window if you are short on time.
Does 莱莱小笼 (Lái Lái Xiǎolóng) have a Michelin star? Not a star, but a Michelin Bib Gourmand, which is awarded to restaurants that deliver exceptional quality at a reasonable price point. As of 2025, 莱莱小笼 (Lái Lái Xiǎolóng) holds this recognition. It is a meaningful distinction, especially for a small neighbourhood spot that has been around since 2006.
What is the best thing to order at 莱莱小笼 (Lái Lái Xiǎolóng)? The 蟹粉小笼包 (xiè fěn xiǎolóngbāo / crab roe soup dumplings) are the non-negotiable. Pair them with the 炸猪排 (zhá zhūpái / fried pork chop cutlet) and the 虾仁馄饨汤 (xiārén húntun tāng / prawn wonton soup), and always order a plate of 姜丝醋 (jiāngsī cù / ginger strips in vinegar) for dipping. That combination covers all the bases.
Is 莱莱小笼 (Lái Lái Xiǎolóng) the best xiaolongbao in Shanghai? It is certainly one of the most loved. Other frequently mentioned spots include 佳家汤包 (Jiājiā Tāngbāo / Jia Jia Tang Bao) and the Taiwanese chain Din Tai Fung, which also has Shanghai branches. What sets 莱莱小笼 (Lái Lái Xiǎolóng) apart is the 蟹粉小笼包 (xiè fěn xiǎolóngbāo / crab roe soup dumplings), specifically, the price point, and the fact that it has been feeding Shanghai since 2006 without losing its edge.
How much does it cost to eat at 莱莱小笼 (Lái Lái Xiǎolóng)? Budget around RMB 50 to 100 (SGD 10 to 19) per person. If you are keeping it lean, one basket of 蟹粉小笼包 (xiè fěn xiǎolóngbāo / crab roe soup dumplings) plus a bowl of soup will keep you well fed for under RMB 80 (SGD 15). The 姜丝醋 (jiāngsī cù / ginger strips in vinegar) is just RMB 1 (SGD 0.20) so order as many plates as you like.
What time should I visit 莱莱小笼 (Lái Lái Xiǎolóng) to avoid the crowd? Right at opening (8am) is your best bet for the morning session. The queue builds quickly from about 9am onwards. If mornings do not work for you, the afternoon session starts at 3pm and tends to be noticeably quieter than the breakfast rush.
Is 莱莱小笼 (Lái Lái Xiǎolóng) suitable for vegetarians? Not really. The menu is focused on pork and seafood dumplings and soups. There is a vegetable option with 年糕 (niángāo / rice cake) but the overall spread is very meat-forward. If you are a vegetarian, this is not the most accommodating stop in Shanghai, though the 蔬菜年糕汤 (shūcài niángāo tāng / vegetable rice cake soup) is at least a filling option. But just check in with the staff to check that it is vegetarian.
Have you been to 莱莱小笼 (Lái Lái Xiǎolóng) or tried xiaolongbao somewhere else in Shanghai? I would love to hear what you ordered. Drop me a comment below!
Links
- The Ultimate Shanghai Guide
- Hangzhou Travel Guide
- Shanghai Food Guide — Where to Eat in Shanghai
- Hangzhou Food Guide — Where to Eat in Hangzhou]
- Xie San Bao Shanghai Review
