finally...

something very delicious! On Day 3 in Shanghai i lost my appetite. We were woke up by a morning call from old friend, Ng. Supposed to meet him at McD in Xing Si Chie. Upon arriving we received another call. There're too many McDs, about 6 or more within the area. So he's confused. We waited, and called again, and waited. And finally we found each other! Phew!
Taking the tunnel exit at Xing Si Chie Mall and walking toward Nanjing Road. Nobody will miss the exit. It's too busy with too much pedestrians. I planned to eat from the first til the last stalls. And taa...daaa... (drum rolls, please). It's a dream too impossible to be fulfilled. The weather was as forever - cold. We're lured by a nice aroma in the air... it's nearby! A Ma-Lat steamboat in the left alley! Let's have a look! It turned out to be spicy soup steamboat like our local loklok stall. Recalling our bad experience of spicy soup last night, we gave it a pass. Next!

Xiau Long Pau, anyone? ...ok! Let's try this shanghai delicacy. There's also the Xie Wang Dang Pau, which means crab roe soup in dumpling casing at the top of the menu signboard. Should be good lar... i murmured to myself. Ng was delighted with his pork and mushroom noodles, while my century egg porridge was averagely fluffy and warm.
Now each one of us was given a small plate with shredded ginger and a dash of black vinegar. What was this going to do with my pau? About a good ten minutes, a plumb fella shown up with a steam-filled-hot bamboo container. He put on a plastic glove. This puzzled us more! Opened the container, and took out the globe-like pau with great tender care! and put it on our respective small plate. The pau casings were of membrane-thin skin like those used for har kau! How to eat this? with your mouth lar, idiot! Said the two hungry guys going with me. *bite* The soup flown out and mixed with the ginger and vinegar, igniting a wonderful smell. Rather similar to shark fin soup, but so much stronger. We ended the meal, slurping like happy puppies!
What a lovely day!