About this place

"Nanxiang Steamed Buns Restaurant" is well known to both Shanghai locals and one-time visitors as THE place to eat Xiaolongbao (小笼包).  What really makes these pork and crab roe dumplings special is the broth inside.
 
The price goes up and the wait goes down as you ascend the three floors of the restaurant.  Instead of waiting in the ridiculously long line, heap up to the 2nd floor to dine on famous xiaolongbao for just 15 yuan per plate.  Worth noting are the hungry patrons who crowd around directly behind the diners as they wait their turn for a seat at a table.
 
When you lift the dumplings off the plate try to do it as gently as possible so as to not rip the dumpling skin.  Also remember that the broth inside is piping hot!  Be cautious and try to bite a small corner of the dumpling first.  It is also quite common to order some ginger to compliment the xiaolongbao.
 

Cowboys eat Xiaolongbao too.
 
Other Snacks at Yu Gardens
 
The area next to the Yu Gardens and surrounding the Nanxiang Steamed Buns Restaurant is packed with a variety of tasty snacks.  Here’s a select few of them:
 
Bird on a Stick

 
Banana and Rice in Bamboo Shoots

 
Super-sized Soup Dumplings

 
Boiled Dumplings
Daniang Shuijiao (DND, 大娘水饺) offers a wide variety of boiled dumplings.  Try the standard dumplings or be more adventurous and go for some snake dumplings.  The entrance is located on the front of Fuyou Lu (福佑路).
 
Stinky Tofu - One of China’s most popular snacks. Some are addicted while others keep their distance. Remember folks, when in Rome...
 
Dim Sum - At least one restaurant around the Yu Gardens serves Dim Sum.