+1 510-351-6698
Located at 1668 E 14th St in San Leandro, Xiang Yuen Xiao Long Bao is a cherished gem for lovers of authentic Chinese and dumpling cuisine. This cozy restaurant captures the essence of Shanghai-style comfort food, offering a deliciously diverse menu that invites diners to embark on a flavorful journey through traditional Chinese tastes with a focus on expertly crafted dumplings.
At the heart of Xiang Yuen Xiao Long Bao’s appeal are its signature dumplings—most notably, the crab meat xiao long bao (蟹粉小笼包), which burst with savory broth and delicate crab flavor, and the beloved Pan Fried Pork Buns (香园生煎包), known for their crisp, golden skins and juicy, tender pork filling. The handmade dumplings and potstickers showcase the kitchen’s dedication to craftsmanship, each bite delivering a perfect balance of texture and rich, comforting flavors that linger delightfully on the palate.
Beyond the dumplings, the menu offers an impressive variety of Shanghainese specialties and classic favorites—imagine the aromatic Pork Wonton with Spicy & Peanut Sauce that offers a bold, nutty kick, or the deeply satisfying Spicy Braised Beef Noodle Soup, where tender beef meets spicy, savory broth. The Shanghai Style Fried Udon Noodle and Dan Dan Noodle (担担面) are equally noteworthy, each plate infused with an authentic blend of spices and textures that speak to traditional preparation methods.
Diners can round out their meal with delightful appetizers like the crispy yet fluffy green onion pancake (葱油饼), or choose from a range of cold dishes such as the succulent Shanghai Style Stir Fry Prawns in Soy Sauce and the piquant Sichuan Style Steam Chicken with Chili Sauce (口水鸡). The restaurant’s soups, including the comforting West Lake Beef Soup and refreshing Vegetable Tofu Soup, provide the perfect warm complement to the vibrant dishes.
The atmosphere at Xiang Yuen Xiao Long Bao complements its menu brilliantly—there’s a warm, homey vibe that customers consistently praise. It’s not just a place to eat, but a welcoming community spot where families gather, and authentic flavors transport you straight to Shanghai's bustling neighborhoods. Customers highlight the fast, friendly service and appreciate that the food tastes reliably fresh, flavorful, and robust enough to satisfy both casual diners and devoted food enthusiasts alike.
Real reviews underline the restaurant’s genuine approach. One satisfied guest mentioned that seeing Chinese families dining here was itself a mark of quality, while another enthusiast spoke warmly of watching the mom personally handcraft the dumplings, giving the dishes a heartfelt authenticity that elevates the experience. And though portion sizes lean toward moderate plates, the thoughtfully prepared dishes ensure a rich tasting experience with every bite.
If you’re craving expertly made dumplings, pungently savory noodles, and time-honored Shanghainese specialties served in a relaxed, welcoming setting, Xiang Yuen Xiao Long Bao is a must-visit destination in San Leandro. Whether you’re a local or passing through, prepare to indulge in a variety of exquisite flavors and comforting dishes that stay true to tradition while lovingly serving up modern satisfaction. Don’t miss the pan fried pork buns—you’ll be glad you ordered them.
This little place has a homey-vibe. Good quality food, fast service. Order the sauteed green beans, Xiao long bao, noodle and green onion sauce, and homemade dumplings. Everything was fresh and delicious. I know a place is good when Chinese families have dinner there.
The soup dumplings were good. The other dumplings were good too but for some reason the potstickers were very liquidy/seemed like they had soup in them too and were just okay. They were not pan fried on all sides, just one. The hot and sour soup was more sour than hot to me so it was just okay. The green onion pancake was good and the shrimp fried rice everyone liked as well. We went on thanksgiving day for lunch after picking up my cousin from the airport so we were seated quickly and the service was fine. I don’t think anyone wanted to be there but it was a holiday so that’s understandable. The ambiance was fine and we were seated at a large round table since we had a big group. There used to be another restaurant here that was good and this was a decent replacement. It’s walking distance from my parents’ house so we will come again. I probably wouldn’t order the potstickers again and just get more dumplings. The dumplings were the best. The green onion pancake was tasty but very greasy. I would eat it again but not often since there was so much oil.
This place was really good! Everything was fast and the servers were nice. My favorite dish would have to the pan fried buns with meat inside. I forgot what it was called correctly but you have to order it! My boyfriend and I were satisfied at the end of our meal and even had extra leftovers to bring home. I would come back again when I’m craving for dumplings. The place is also pretty big so you won’t have to wait long usually but it doesn’t get packed during dinner time.
If you are looking for big dishes, this place is not for you. This place give out small plate. Food is decent. Xiao long bao is only average. First time try Chengdu fried rice and it's not bad; a little spicy.
Great food and dumplings, a cut above the usual, made by mom herself, (and I'm not kidding. I spoke with her and watch her make them), along with traditional dishes, which are also cut above. For instance I ordered the compound chicken, normally a sweet and sugary affair when ordered at many Chinese and Chinese-American restaurants, even Chinese restaurants that like traditional recipes, often succumb to the whims of the American palate, and apparently Americans loved everything sweet. Not so for many reasons in China, and this particular compound had plenty of flavor, was fresh and vibrant, but wasn't floating in a pool of syrupy glowing orange radioactive sauce. Instead the sauce clung to the meat as it is supposed to, and everything was fresh and crunchy. Truly delicious. As for the dumplings done by a master. I asked the mother, who the mother of the owner, if I could take a picture of her as she made some of these dumplings, a wonderful older lady with a huge smile, only allowed me to take pictures of her hands and the dumplings for which I was very grateful. She had expert technique and was highly concentrated with each dumpling, and yet it seemed kind of effortless as she was chatting to her daughter the entire time. It was a wonderful spectacle to watch while I was eating my delicious food. They were out of a Shiu Mai (pork), but still had Har Gow (Shrimp), and so I ordered the shrimp and their signature Bao, "Xiao Long Bao", a dumpling twisted together at the top like a little treasure bag with a meaty center and a chewy meatball type of feeling, surrounded by warm savory broth that explodes when you bite into it. Excellent. And the shrimp dumpling, one of the best I've ever had, and far better than many that I've had in Chinatown in San Francisco. They didn't try to kill you with the dough, and relied more on stuffing it to the brim with flavorful shrimp, while keeping the shell relatively thin to the point where it was translucent. This place is a sleeper, because it just looks like an ordinary Chinese-American restaurant, but it is far more than that. It is a spot where some real traditional Chinese food becomes available to Lucky saps like me. I will be back!
I ordered the braised eggplant with fish garlic sauce, and the pork noodle dish. While each dish was cooked with precision, the flavors failed to leave a lasting impression. Despite their culinary craftsmanship, the flavors lacked the depth and vibrancy I had hoped for, leaving me searching for ways to enhance the taste so I added soy sauce and chili sauce. The restaurant serves as a casual outing, However, for those in pursuit of culinary enchantment and gastronomic delight, it may be worth exploring other dishes for a more captivating experience. There were fresh dumplings being made, so if I come back, I will definitely order some of those. The restaurant was pretty, quiet, and a tip I would give to the owner is to play some music in the background.
Dropped by here over the weekend. Been coming here for years, long before the pandemic. Been to other places that sell dumplings too. Some of those places sell premium dumplings too. The dumplings at this place are good. On par with the expensive places around the bay, even in LA. The service is okay. The atmosphere is casual. Definitely my go to pot for dumplings.