Here’s where you can get chocolate-filled xiao long bao served with a velvety sea salt cream

Wait a second—chocolate-filled xiao long bao? Hold up now.

As an Asian who’s grown up devouring dumplings filled with savoury broth, pork, and a little bit of ginger, I couldn’t help but feel a little skeptical. Chocolate in my xiao long bao? Is that even allowed?

The traditionalist in me was side-eyeing this fusion move, wondering if we’d finally crossed the line.

Then again…gooey chocolate inside a dumpling did sound kinda tempting, and there is this velvety sea salt cream on the side? Okay, now that definitely got my attention.

Alright, maybe my inner grandma was still raising an eyebrow, but my curiosity was officially piqued. If yours is too, you’re in luck, because we’ve got the lowdown on where to find chocolate-filled xiao long bao that may just have you rethinking everything you thought you knew about dumplings.

DIN Dumpling

If you’ve got a hankering for something a little different but still want that classic xiao long bao experience, head on over to DIN at Sunway Pyramid.

We dropped by in search of their innovative chocolate-filled xiao long bao, but if you’re a loyal fan of the OG Din Tai Fung or DIN by Din Tai Fung, don’t worry—you can find these sweet little dumplings at any of their outlets too.

Now, before any pork lovers start raising an eyebrow, let’s clear the air: DIN may be pork-free, but it doesn’t fall short in flavour or quality. While the absence of pork might be a dealbreaker for some, they make up for it with a special menu that includes offerings like their Beef Cheese Dumplings.

With a strong focus on Shanghai-style dishes, DIN’s star attraction is, of course, their xiao long bao. Each batch is made fresh daily right at the restaurant, and you can watch the skilled professionals in action through the glass partition that separates the kitchen from the dining area.

MFT’s review: Trying chocolate-filled xiao long bao for the first time

Were these sweet little dumplings going to make our taste buds do a happy dance? We were itching to find out.

As we took our first bites, there was a thrill of anticipation. Instead of the usual savoury broth, out oozed a warm, gooey chocolate filling that was basically the dumpling equivalent of a surprise hug.

And yes, it was filled to the brim—no skimping here.

The chocolate was rich, dark, and not too sweet, which is key. Some desserts can be overly sugary and leave you feeling jelak after a bite or two—but not this one. The balance of flavours was perfect. Just enough indulgence without being overwhelming.

The filling’s consistency was thick and a little runny, but not overly so, just enough to keep it rich and satisfying inside the bao. Pro tip: eat it fast. If you wait too long, the bao starts to harden a tad and the chocolate loses that warm, gooey magic.

Now, let’s talk about the sidekick: the velvety sea salt cream. This isn’t just any dip—it’s like the rich cousin of your favorite bubble tea (for me, that’s Roasted Da Hong Pao from Binq), creamy with just the right amount of salty goodness to balance out the slight bitterness of the dark chocolate.

The pairing is chef’s kiss—creamy, salty, velvety, and oh-so-satisfying. It’s so good, you might even be tempted to dip your savoury dumplings in it.

Turns out, I was wrong to be skeptical. Chocolate-filled xiao long bao? A game changer. That’s all I can say about it.

Other savouries from DIN

While we were at DIN, we couldn’t resist trying their range of savoury dumplings: Lamb, Chicken, Truffle, and Crab. The chicken xiao long bao undoubtedly stole the show, so juicy and comforting. Is it better than the OG pork version? Well, that’s for you to decide.

The crab and lamb dumplings were definitely neck and neck, each packed with rich, savoury goodness.

The xiao long baos were packed with broth, as they should be. Call me biased, but I honestly think DIN and Din Tai Fung are leading the pack when it comes to the dumpling scene. There’s a reason they’re globally known for their dumplings.

Moving on, the Lava Bun at DIN deserves a special shoutout. The custard filling was some of the richest and creamiest we’ve ever had. The salted egg flavour was buttery, perfectly balanced, and not too sweet or jarring. Trust us, you don’t want to miss out on these.

They also have a range of mains on the menu that you can indulge in.

I get it—dining at DIN or Din Tai Fung is definitely a splurge, one of those rare treats that you can’t help but fully savour, but when it comes to quality and taste? Absolutely worth it.

There’s just no denying it.