Tiger Soup Dumplings has a new, expanded second location in Des Peres. The casual Chinese eatery, specializing in traditional handmade soup dumplings, debuted in April. The menu features steamed or pan-fried soup dumplings, sides, bubble tea, smoothies and a new addition to the brand’s offerings: Cheung fun, or Cantonese-style rice rolls.
The concept comes from Yue Zhai and Victor Lai, who opened the original Fenton location of Tiger Soup Dumplings in 2018. As reported by Feast last year, Zhai moved to St. Louis from Beijing and learned the tricks of the trade from her mother, Ang Yang, and stepfather, Lawrence Chen, at Soup Dumplings STL – St. Louis’ first-ever xiaolongbao shop in University City.
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For the uninitiated, dig into the bao by taking a small bite to release some hot broth into a spoon, and then enjoy chili sauce, vinegar or soy sauce with your choice. “For those who have never been exposed to this food, this is a game changer for dumplings,” Zhai says. “Dumplings and soup? Dumplings in soup? No, the soup is in the dumplings, and its hot and delicious soup will bloom perfectly in your mouth.”
Zhai, Lai and their staff can be seen preparing the dumplings fresh from scratch daily, and guests can have the supple, savory pouches steamed or pan-fried for a pleasantly crispy edge to enjoy on-site. The menu features the same four soup dumpling options as the flagship Fenton shop: pork, chicken, beef, and shrimp and cheese. Pair them with popular sides such as garlicky golden broccoli, a refreshing cucumber salad, and wontons in spicy chili oil. “As I learned from my family's restaurants, I incorporated some Americanized flavors into my menu,” Zhai says.
This location of Tiger Soup Dumplings also offers a more traditional dim sum dish: rice noodle rolls, cooked in a specialty steamer imported from China. The rolls come with fillings such as wagyu beef, shrimp, chicken, corn and egg. “Its main ingredient is rice flour, which is spread thinly on a plate, steamed and topped with sweet soy sauce. It tastes interesting, smooth, soft and chewy,” says Zhai, who puts her own twists on the classic dish. “In the future, we will provide fried and avocado-flavored rice rolls.”
To pair with the tasty fare, choose from a few boba milk tea options as well as fruity beverages including Strawberry Boba Coconut Milk Tea, a Mango Dragon Cloud smoothie, and Tiger Fruit Tea made with pan-seared fruit, jasmine tea and grilled lemon. The bold, balanced flavors across the food and drink menu are all available to enjoy in a comfortable, contemporary setting where Zhai and Lai hope to provide a unique experience for St. Louisans.
“I always tell my staff, the service starts the moment the customer walks in the door. The smell of the restaurant, the position of the sauce bottle, the look in your eyes and your greeting are all factors that make the food more delicious,” Zhai says. “When these details become a perfect closed loop, I think my customers will always stay in my tiger circle.”
Tiger Soup Dumplings is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Tiger Soup Dumplings, 13311 Manchester Road, Des Peres, St. Louis, 314-830-8886, tigersoupdumplings.square.site