✨ AI Quick Take
盛園絲瓜小籠湯包 (Sheng Yuan Luffa Xiao Long Bao) sits in the lanes behind Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. It has grown from a small street stall into a long-running restaurant with an open kitchen, and the menu goes well beyond soup dumplings to pancakes, dumplings, stir-fries, and desserts. The Luffa Xiao Long Bao is light and competent, while the celery pancake makes a stronger impression with its crisp fragrance and celery aroma. The wellness vegetable-and-pork dumplings are substantial but can become rich, and the taro cake runs sweet yet works as a finish. Come for the abundance and heat of an old Taipei noodle house, not the polish of a famous department-store restaurant, and your expectations will be in the right place.
● Luffa Xiao Long Bao
Thin wrappers hold luffa and pork in a light, gently seasoned style that feels less heavy. The moisture from the luffa, pork filling, and broth remain distinct. The result is steady but not especially integrated—a traditional, straightforward signature. Set one on a spoon before biting it open to keep the broth and avoid burning your mouth. Diners who like a deeply flavored meat filling may find it mild, while those who favor lighter soup dumplings are more likely to appreciate it.
● Three-Delicacy Pot Stickers
The wrappers of the Three-Delicacy Pot Stickers carry the aroma of handmade dough, with an evenly browned base that first delivers a crisp crackle, followed by a pleasantly chewy skin. Cut one open and you see a whole, plump shrimp layered with meat filling. Its savoriness develops as you chew, while the crisp base leaves the filling’s moisture intact, gathering tender, springy, and crunchy textures into the same bite.
● Northern Sichuan Wontons in Chili Oil
Northern Sichuan Wontons in Chili Oil wrap a substantial pork filling in smooth, tender skins. The meat’s gentle sweetness arrives first, followed by the aromatic heat of the sauce. Peanut paste and oil-splashed chili seeds enrich the chili oil with a deep fragrance and assertive heat, while strips of egg crepe and chopped scallions add freshness and fine texture. The sauce has a strong presence, making these wontons a good dish to alternate with the lightly sweet Luffa Xiao Long Bao.
● Scallion Pancake
The Scallion Pancake follows a thick northeastern style rather than a thin and brittle one. Pan-frying gives the surface a golden crust: crisp outside, yet still chewy and resilient within. As you chew, the aromas of wheat and oil slowly turn sweet, while a generous scallion filling adds savory fragrance. Served in slices, it is easy to share and also helps carry the stronger flavors of the wontons in chili oil.
On a first visit, make the Luffa Xiao Long Bao the centerpiece and add the Three-Delicacy Pot Stickers to compare steaming with pan-frying. Northern Sichuan Wontons in Chili Oil are a good way to intensify the flavors, while the Scallion Pancake adds wheat aroma and substance. With a larger group, order different types according to the number of diners; the table will be more varied than if you repeat the same dough dish. Help yourself to side dishes and sauces, take a number first at peak times, and choose an off-peak afternoon if queues are not your thing.
- Location:臺北市大安區杭州南路二段25巷1號, about a 6-minute walk from Dongmen (東門站).
- Type:Xiao long bao, pancakes, dumplings, stir-fries, and Chinese desserts.
- Highlights:A long-running open kitchen where cooks make the day’s dough dishes by hand, with vegetarian items clearly marked.
- Good for:Families, tourists, groups with vegetarian diners, and anyone who enjoys traditional Taipei dough and noodle dishes.
📌 Editor’s wrap-up
The value of 盛園絲瓜小籠湯包 (Sheng Yuan Luffa Xiao Long Bao) lies in its broad selection, substantial portions, and the rhythm of an old lane-side noodle house. The luffa soup dumplings are light but only moderately cohesive; the celery pancake stands out for its crisp fragrance; the large wellness vegetable-and-pork dumplings should be eaten hot; and the taro cake ends the meal on a rich, sweet note. Not every dish is polished to perfection, but a group can each find something it wants. Get your number and balance lighter dishes with stronger ones, and the table becomes more complete than a single basket of soup dumplings could be.
