Crap. Put "Shanghai" on the list....

Ever since I saw Anthony Bourdain in Shanghai (via the Food Network, not like, in person or anything), I've wanted to find some Xiaolóngbāo, or Shanghai soup dumplings.

They're like a regular steamed bao, but filled with a soup paste that heats and thins out as it steams. To avoid cutting into them and getting an eyeful or lapful of piping hot soup, a straw is inserted in the top of the dumpling when it's brought to the table.

As Homer Simpson once said in appreciation of something truly delicious, "GLAAGHGHHALLLGHLLAGH".

Whenever I go to a large city, I always have to check out the dim sum. It's just a part of my traditional Chinese upbringing. :) (Dude, I'm not kidding. I was an honorary member of the Asian Club in college, based purely on my ability to get a good table on Mott Street on a Saturday.) BOK GWAI!

So when I knew I'd be in Chicago last week, I asked my friend Karen to recommend a good dim sum place. Phoenix Restaurant has a pretty good reputation, and when I checked them out online, I saw that they also had xiaolóngbāo on the menu. Score!

Karen and I took a cab down from the office on Friday for lunch, only to find out they only did a full dim sum (carts, soup dumplings and all) on the weekends, but I was flying out that night.

Yet another life dream unfulfilled. Now I have two things I need to do before I die. Have some Xiaolóngbāo, and learn all the German lyrics to "99 Red Balloons". I'm gonna need some more vacation days.

Hast Du etwas Zeit für mich, dann singe ich ein Lied fuer Dich.... la la la la la.....

Crysanthemum tea. Good for the soul.

Karen totally dropped a spare rib in my water glass.
Don't let her tell you any different.

Can you spot the person who isn't a 3rd-grader in this photo?
I don' t think you can.