Xiaolongbao House — Restaurant in Shoreline

The menu here encompasses a lot of Chinese cuisine. There's dumplings, Sichuan, Hunan, Americanized Chinese food (kung Pao, Mongolian beef, etc.), and even more all in one place. I can't do peppercorns, so I stick with the less spicy items. The special fried eggplants and peppers with preserved eggs is a must try and unique dish. It's really oily and greasy, but tastes good. I don't like the tall wooden container it comes in, though. They let us mash it more ourselves, but I feel like this dish tastes better without mashing it. I like the veggies in the Chongqing fish dish, but they also get really oily from the broth.

The fish fillets with pickled cabbage in broth comes with a lot of very soft fish and nice pickled flavors. The "spiciness" seems to be from white pepper, so it's not too bad if you can handle a little bit of spice. There were noodles at the bottom, which I wasn't expecting. The sauteed cumin beef had strong cumin flavors and a good texture for beef. The sauteed yams with black fungus are kind of goopy, but it was okay because I like black fungus.

I always like spicy wontons, so I had to order those over dumplings. I would order the wontons again, but I probably prefer to go to Little Tings for actual dumplings and buns because they're slightly cheaper and have more options (different meats, veggie combos) and customizations (Pan fried, steamed, boiled). On another day, I ended up ordering pork fried buns and Boiled dumplings with minced beef and onion for take out, which were both good. The buns are sort of "petite", so I like that there's 8 of them. I prefer the sauces from Little Ting's because theirs is garlicky and has more substance to it (less oil), while the ones here are mostly hot oil with some chili. I could feel the hot oil on my mouth because it was...

Nope.

Ever since Fu Man Dumpling House closed I have been searching for a dumpling restaurant that is on par with the authentic taste, texture, and portioning.

Yesterday (6/29/2022) my friends and I ordered almost $50 of food for takeout, which included: MaPo Tofu, House Special fried rice, 12pcs of pork and napa steamed dumplings, and hot & sour soup.

When I went and picked up the order (around 6:30pm) there was only one table with four people dining in. All of the food was hot and each container packed full to the brim.

For me the dumplings didn't have much flavor and the filling was not expected (the inside filling was more pink than the picture came out).

This Mapo Tofu ranks in my top 3 worst Mapo Tofu I've had in my life. Definitely not traditional style. It was basically hot tofu in a chili oil soup. I ate about 350mL of the stuff and I could no longer taste anything correctly.

The fried rice was mediocre despite having decent amounts and good portions of beef, chicken, and shrimp.

The hot and sour was decent. Probably the best of all of the dishes we ordered.

One of my friends said the fried rice was okay, but had to add some stir fry sauce to it for his taste. He didn't have any of the other dishes. My other friend was not feeling well. She tried a couple of sips of the hot and sour soup and said it was good but it was too spicy for her at the time and would take to work with her. She did not have any of the other dishes.

Based off of this experience I cannot give this place any more than two stars. I would not recommend this place if you are looking for great tasting authentic dumplings. Unfortunately this place did not meet expectations and taste buds as a...

Xiaolongbao House delivers the comforting essence of authentic Chinese family dining, earning a solid 4 out of 5 stars for its wide variety of traditional dishes, generous portions, and welcoming, family-oriented atmosphere.

Ambiance: 4/5 The restaurant exudes a relaxed, casual warmth that feels reminiscent of dining back home in China. It’s an ideal spot for families or large gatherings, where the focus is on conversation and sharing food rather than formality.

Authenticity: 4/5 True to its name, Xiaolongbao House captures the essence of authentic Chinese flavors — from hearty stir-fries to comforting soups and delicate dumplings. The dishes stay true to regional roots without being overly commercialized, making it a hidden gem for those seeking genuine home-style cooking.

Flavor: 4/5 Each dish delivers balanced seasoning and freshness, offering the kind of warmth and familiarity that Chinese comfort food is known for. While not overly refined, the flavors are honest and well-executed.

Service: 4/5 The staff are friendly and efficient, accustomed to managing large family tables. Dishes arrive promptly and served piping hot — a small but important detail that shows care.

Cost: 5/5 Very affordable for the quality and portion size. Xiaolongbao House proves that authenticity doesn’t need to come at a premium, making it a great option for family meals or casual gatherings.

Final Verdict: Xiaolongbao House is a charming, family-friendly restaurant that prioritizes authentic flavors, generous servings, and affordability. It’s not about extravagance — it’s about heart, tradition, and the simple joy of sharing a good meal...