You Peng Noodle Dumpling House – Delicious Hawker-Made Dumplings!

I’m sure we’ve all had that sudden craving for Xiao Long Bao (小笼包). For me, going out for dim sum is always a meal that is met with eager anticipation – watching the lid of the bamboo basket being lifted off to reveal those steaming hot meat-filled parcels. If someone’s looking for good dim sum, I think it’s rare for them to go looking for it in a hawker centre. However, if you decide to take a trip down to Beauty World, you’ll be surprised to find that there’s a hawker stall, You Peng Noodle Dumpling House, that sells affordable and delicious handmade dumplings!

You Peng Noodle Dumpling House is no stranger to Beauty World Food Centre. The stall has been in business for over 10 years, which is a clear testament to how popular their dumplings are. You might be wondering how a hawker stall can produce dumplings of such high quality. The stall owner actually hires chefs who have had prior experience working in high-end dim sum restaurants!

I had to dive straight into trying their Xiao Long Bao. I ordered a set of 10 dumplings ($7.50), which came in a stack of two bamboo steamers. The dumplings are steamed just after you make your order, so they come to you piping hot. Given my horrible chopstick skills, I was surprised to find that the Xiao Long Bao did not burst open when I first picked it up. This is because the skin of the dumpling is slightly thicker than usual, though not overly so.

The flavours of the filling were on point – the minced pork filling was succulent and had just the right level of saltiness. Bits of finely chopped spring onions were also mixed in to add a bit of freshness. The black vinegar on the side also added some acidity to cut through the fattiness of the pork. However, I found that the dumpling contained less soup than I would’ve liked. It didn’t have that signature burst of piping hot soup that Xiao Long Bao typically has. This is the only flaw that I can point out though. Given its overall flavour and texture, You Peng’s Xiao Long Bao can definitely compete with the higher-end dim sum places.

My grandparents, who were originally from Shanghai, were huge fans of Shengjian Bao (生煎包). Sheng Jian Bao is actually a Shanghai speciality, which is a pan-fried steamed bun that is filled with minced pork. You Peng makes their own rendition of this bao and it comes in at $5.50 for five pieces. In my opinion, these are a must-order if you pay a visit to You Peng.

These baos are plump and have a perfectly crispy and golden brown bottom. As you bite into it, you get a taste of the savoury and gelatinous pork filling that has slightly soaked into the fluffy bao. The gelatinousness of the pork actually added a ‘creamy’ texture to each bite. In fact, the filling releases so much juice that the Shengjian Bao will actually be served to you with the bottom facing up to prevent the crispy base from getting soggy! The crispy base provides a wonderful textural contrast to the soft and pillowy bao, while the filling provides a springy and meaty bite.

I also had to try their Guo Tie (锅贴), which are also pan-fried to achieve a crunchy base. At just $6.50, you can get a plate of 10 pieces of Guo Tie. Unfortunately, I found that the skin of the Guo Tie was slightly too thick for my liking, making it quite dense and chewy. This meant that the meat-to-filling ratio was slightly off, making it hard to enjoy and taste the meat filling. Nonetheless, at just 65-cents per piece, I still think it’s a worthy option if you’re a fan of Guo Tie. I would definitely order the other two dishes though!

If you’re looking to throw a party (or if you’re just really hungry), You Peng Noodle Dumpling House actually does wholesale of the above-mentioned dumplings and more! Just get in touch with the owner using the contact information below.

Here is another stall that you should visit if you are looking to have Xiao Long Bao – read our article on Zhong Guo La Mian Xiao Long Bao!