Xiao long bao - soup dumplings - are some of the most loved dim sum in the world. Thin pleated wrappers, hot broth inside, a rich pork or crab filling. They originated in Shanghai in the 19th century and have spread to nearly every major city.
In London, there is one big problem: most xiao long bao are not halal.
Why most soup dumplings are not halal
Traditional xiao long bao are made with:
- Pork mince as the filling
- Pork skin aspic that melts into broth when steamed
- Sometimes pork lard in the wrapper
Three pork ingredients in one bite. There is no easy way to substitute them and keep the dumpling tasting like the original.
The big chains in London - Din Tai Fung, Yauatcha, Hutong, the Shanghainese restaurants in Soho - all use pork in their soup dumplings. Some have a non-halal chicken or vegetable version. None are certified halal kitchens.
What "halal-friendly" actually means
A few restaurants advertise "halal options" or "halal-friendly" menus. Be careful with this language. It usually means:
- They offer a chicken version
- The kitchen still cooks pork
- Cross-contamination is possible
- The supplier may not be halal certified
For Muslim diners who keep strict halal, halal-friendly is not the same as halal. We have written more about what halal food actually means if you want the full picture.
Northern Chinese alternatives to xiao long bao
The Greedy Sheep does not make xiao long bao - they are a Shanghainese (southern) dish, not a Northern Chinese one. But Northern China has its own incredible dumpling tradition that is naturally halal:
- Pan-fried dumplings (guo tie) - crispy bottoms, juicy filling. Lamb or beef
- Boiled dumplings (jiaozi) - the Lunar New Year classic. Lamb, beef, or vegetable
- Steamed lamb dumplings (xian rou bao) - thicker dough, pure flavour
Read more in our guide to halal dumplings in London.
These dumplings are often more satisfying than xiao long bao. They are larger. The fillings are bolder. The pleating is sturdier. They were also developed by Chinese Muslims along the Silk Road, so they have always been halal.
Where to find halal soup dumplings in London
If you specifically want soup dumplings (xiao long bao), the most reliable halal options are:
1. Independent halal dim sum spots in West London - a handful exist, mostly serving the Bangladeshi community 2. Home cooks at Muslim food markets - Whitechapel, Edgware Road, occasional pop-ups 3. Make them yourself - the best way to guarantee halal, if you have a few hours and patience for pleating
If you want lamb-filled, halal certified dumplings in central London, The Greedy Sheep is the easiest option. We are right in the middle of Chinatown so you can finish dinner and walk to the West End.
What to look for when ordering halal dumplings
When you are at a Chinese restaurant and want to know if their dumplings are genuinely halal:
- Look for a halal certificate on the wall. Not a "no pork" sign. An actual certificate
- Ask about the kitchen. Is it a fully halal kitchen, or do they cook pork separately?
- Ask about the supplier. Halal meat must come from a halal certified supplier
- Ask about the wrappers. Some dumpling wrappers contain animal fat
If a restaurant cannot answer all four clearly, it is not halal in the strict sense. It might be halal-friendly. There is a difference.
Come and try ours
We are at 8 Little Newport Street, London WC2H 7JJ. Open 12pm to 10pm daily. Walk-ins welcome. Halal certified. The full menu is here.
Come hungry. Leave greedy.
