Soup Dumplings in Ottawa: Where to Get Xiao Long Bao

Looking for soup dumplings in Ottawa? For xiao long bao, the broth should be inside the wrapper. A bowl of wonton soup or a plate of ordinary steamed dumplings is a different order. Two Ottawa operators explicitly identify xiao long bao on their current menus: Sammi & Soupe Dumpling in the ByWard Market and Zen Bowl on Gladstone Avenue.

Menus and addresses were checked on October 22, 2026. The prices below are published Canadian-dollar listings from the operators' own Ottawa menu or pickup ordering page. Portions and ordering channels differ; confirm the final amount, extras and availability when ordering.

Where to get soup dumplings in Ottawa

These are two confirmed options, rather than a ranking based on a tasting visit. Choose Sammi when you want a broader menu of soup-dumpling fillings. Choose Zen Bowl when you want to collect a pork xiao long bao order: its website explicitly describes the business as takeout only, with no dine-in.

Sammi & Soupe Dumpling — more fillings in the ByWard Market

Sammi & Soupe Dumpling's Ottawa branch is at 41 York Street. Use the Ottawa menu linked from that branch page, since the operator has restaurants in more than one city.

The regular xiao long bao section lists 10 pieces per order, with Classic Juicy Pork at $13.99. Other listed fillings include:

• Juicy Chicken & Mushroom — $15.99
• Juicy Pork & Chive — $15.99
• Juicy Lamb & Coriander — $16.99
• Shrimp & Coriander — $18.99
• Juicy Pork & Snow Crab — $18.99

That range makes this the more useful of these two menus if your group wants to compare fillings. A chicken-named item does not, by itself, establish the ingredients of the broth or every component of the dish. Ask the restaurant directly if that matters to your order.

The PDF also has a separate lunch section for Monday–Friday, 11 AM–3 PM, excluding public holidays. There, the 10-piece Classic Juicy Pork order is listed at $12.99. The comparison table uses the regular $13.99 listing so the lunch conditions are not lost. Confirm the offer before planning around it.

Pay attention to the menu heading: Sammi also lists pan-fried dumplings and vegetarian dumplings in separate sections. Those are not automatically vegetarian xiao long bao or the same soup-filled item.

Sources: Ottawa branch and menu link, operator's Ottawa menu PDF, official restaurant directory.

Zen Bowl — pork soup dumplings for pickup in Centretown

Zen Bowl is at 569 Gladstone Avenue. Its official pickup menu describes Signature Soup Dumplings (Xiao Long Bao) as pork in thin dough with soup steamed inside. The item's ordering panel offers 6 pieces for $7.99 or 12 pieces for $12.99.

Those amounts are from the direct online pickup menu. They should not be treated as a delivery-app quote or a like-for-like comparison with Sammi's 10-piece order. The operator describes the shop as takeout only, so plan to collect the food rather than arrive expecting a table.

The same menu separates xiao long bao from Signature Pan-Fried Pork Buns (Sheng Jian Bao). The latter has a different dough and a crisp pan-fried bottom, even though the operator also describes broth inside. Select the item labelled Xiao Long Bao if steamed soup dumplings are what you want.

One tempting menu listing needs care: Crab Roe & Pork Soup Dumplings was marked “Coming Soon” and could not be selected when checked. It is not included here as an available alternative. Recheck the live menu if you want that filling.

Sources: official location and takeout information, live pickup menu and portion selector.

How to eat xiao long bao without losing the broth

Sammi's own guide recommends supporting the dumpling on a spoon, making a small opening to taste the broth, then eating the rest with sauce. Move it gently so the wrapper keeps the soup contained. Let it cool before tasting; the operator's menu cautions that freshly steamed soup dumplings can be hot.

Sauce is optional, and you can try the broth before adding any. If you want the soy-and-Chinese-vinegar combination shown in Sammi's guide, ask what is provided with your order. The menu separately prices some extra sauces, so do not assume every addition is included.

This guide focuses on soup inside the dumpling. For a wider meal, browse our Ottawa Chinese food guide, dim sum guide or ByWard Market food guide.