Shanghai Ding Dumpling House Queensbay, Penang / 上海鼎

One lazy afternoon during my recent visit to Penang I was driving along the coastal highway in Bayan Baru and found a Shanghainese gem in Bayan Bay (where the new Queensbay Mall is). Shanghai Ding is a new Shanghainese restaurant recently opened in Penang. You know me, I just can't pass up the opportunity to try a new restaurant. And their food certainly did not disappoint. As Penang is no Shanghai, I was very impressed by the quality of food there. This is their flagship specialty: Crab Meat Xiao Long Bao / 蟹肉小笼包. Trust me, I am not a novice in this delicacy and have had the best in Shanghai, Taipei, and Hong Kong. Theirs are as authentic and as delicious as you can get. The skin is thin and the dumplings were filled with hot and juicy broth. The traditional Shanghai Xiao Long Bao / 上海小笼包 (with just pork meat) were equally good. A must try! I couldn't keep my mind off these precious buns when I saw them on their menu. Called Pokey Mouse / 奶皇刺猥, these little porcupine buns are filled with sweet custard. I loved the "popping" texture of the bun as they are sparsely coated with poppy seeds. This is pan-fried Shanghainese Bun / 上海菜肉包, steamed to perfection and then pan-fried, the contrasting texture of steamed softness and pan-fried crispiness works very well with the light filling of vegetable and meat. I am a huge fan when it comes to red bean paste, interestingly their red bean paste bun / 南乳豆沙饼 is like nothing I have had before. With a tint of red fermented bean curb cheese (南乳), these buns are both tender and aromatic in a very pleasing way. I had two desserts: Ginger-flavored Rice Balls with Black Sesame/ 姜茶汤圆 and Durian Pancake / 榴莲煎糕. Unfortunately, my pictures didn't turn out right to do them justice. Both were equally delectable especially the Durian Pancake (with real Durian inside!). Other specialties of Shanghai Ding: Shanghainese La Mian / 上海拉面 Sweet Yam Bun - 香芋包 Deep-Fried Mango and Cheese. Char Siew Pastry / 叉烧酥. Pineapple Buns - 菠蘿包. Shanghai Ding / 上海鼎 Blk H, 4G, Persiaran Bayan Indah, Bayan Bay, 11900 Penang Tel: 04-644-1644 Business Hours: Monday - Sunday 8:00 am - 10:00 pm Note: Below is their Chinese tagline, which is very poetic and well-written. It basically outlines the basic steps to eating Shanghai Xiao Long Bao. 慢慢移, 轻轻提, 先开窗, 后吮汤, 馅儿滑, 肉更香, 别把嘴儿烫, 莫让包儿凉.