隆兴记 Long Xing Ji — Restaurant in Baldwin Park

I still remember hearing that a Wuxi xiaolongbao place was coming to LA over ten years ago — I rushed straight to the store that day! Now, even after becoming a mom, my kid lights up every time I mention going there. Recently I saw that they reopened, and visiting again really felt like stepping back in time. We even chatted with the owner — it’s still him!

🍽️ All my old favorites are back — and honestly, many of these dishes have no substitute anywhere in LA!

Pork Xiaolongbao (Sweet Style) The best xiaolongbao in LA, hands down. Keeping the sweet Jiangnan-style flavor must not be easy here, but that’s exactly what makes it special. Thin skin, juicy filling — one bite and the soup just bursts out! You have to order this one.

Crab Roe Soup Dumplings These are serious business — you can literally use a straw to sip the broth! The crab filling is generous, rich, and beautifully fresh. Drink the soup first, then savor the meat. Perfect combo.

Crispy Eel (Liangxi Cuishan) A Wuxi classic from the Taihu Lake region. It reminds me of the crispy fried fish I used to eat with noodles — sweet, savory, and fragrant. I’d never had deep-fried eel before, but this one’s incredible! Crunchy and caramelized on the outside, tender inside — addictive either with rice or on its own.

Spicy Wontons & Shepherd’s Purse Wontons For any Su’nan local, xiaolongbao always goes hand-in-hand with a bowl of wontons. Each one is plump and flavorful. The spicy red chili version is bold, while the shepherd’s purse filling is aromatic and delicate — pure nostalgia.

Crystal Shrimp My childhood favorite dish! Plump, translucent shrimp cooked to a perfect bouncy texture. It’s light yet deeply satisfying. I even took some home and turned it into a shrimp noodle soup the next day!

Spicy Boiled Beef I’ve turned into a spice lover since moving to LA, so of course I had to order this! Generous portions, tender slices with just the right chew, flavorful broth — surprisingly authentic and satisfying for those who like a kick.

Cilantro Pork Kidney Salad Crunchy, fresh, and zero gaminess. Tossed with cilantro and chili oil, it’s flavorful but not greasy — much lighter than stir-fried versions. A must-try cold dish.

Wuxi-Style Ribs That glossy sweet soy glaze and melt-in-your-mouth texture — pure childhood memory. Every table back home had this dish, and it’s still just as comforting.

Yulan Cake A traditional Wuxi snack made with sticky rice flour, fried to a golden crisp outside with sweet-savory pork filling inside. Like a cross between a mooncake and tangyuan — if you love this flavor profile, don’t skip it!

👩🏻‍🍳 You can still see the chefs wrapping dumplings right behind the glass — just like before. Watching the folds take shape one by one, I couldn’t help but think of the aunties back home hand-picking crabs and making fillings in the...

This is the same Long Xing Ji that's in San Gabriel for the last 14 years with best juicy dumplings (see photo). In my opinion better and definitely cheaper than Din Tai xxx. My favorite is the Juicy Pork Dumplings (Sweet). We typically will knock down 3 to 4 orders per visit. While their San Gabriel location is remodeling, they just opened this location a week ago. There was only one other table when we stopped by for dinner. Be sure to visit them before they get busy.

Updated 4/14/25: We visited Long Xing Ji again. Just can’t get enough of the port steamed dumplings. This time the wife ordered the large dumpling where you first drink the soup with a straw. See video.

Updated 6/7/25: They were close for about a month. Singles they...

Their crab roe soup dumplings are truly outstanding — definitely worth the hype. Everything is freshly wrapped right in front of you. The crab roe jumbo soup dumpling is a must-order. The shrimp xiaolongbao has great value; each one comes with a whole shrimp. The cold sliced pork kidney is well-prepared and definitely worth trying. The crispy eel is unique and surprisingly addictive. We ordered a full table of dishes, and the total was about $80 — roughly $20 per person, and everyone left...