
What You'll Learn
By the end of the class you will:
- Know how to make Superior Stock, a fundamental stock of classic Chinese cuisine, and transform it into aspic for soup filling
- Be able to to mix, knead and roll supple yet strong dumpling dough
About This Class
Soup-filled xiao long bao, the jewel of Chinese dumplings, will be our focus for this intensive workshop. This is a rigorous hands-on class focusing on forming the delicate XLB dumplings. You’ll make various doughs for xiao long bao from scratch and you’ll master rolling their paper-thin wrappers by hand.
Most importantly, you’ll learn the secret to encasing rich broth in the tender dough and still have plenty of time to practice the trademark pleating of these delicate bundles of savory goodness.
We highly recommend enrolling in Thy’s Dim Sum Dumpling class here at SFCS or having previous experience making dumplings from scratch prior to taking on XLB Dumplings. While not a required pre-requisite, students will benefit from a basic understanding of dumpling preparation and folding.
Menu
You will prepare xiao long bao, traditional Chinese soup dumplings.
Details
- Wine included
- Light meal served in class
- Work in teams
- Ages 18+
FAQ
All students must show proof of vaccine before entering school and will be required to wear a mask unless eating/drinking.
We understand and respect that lifestyle decisions during Covid are an individual choice. If you test positive for Covid while the class is in session, you will be asked to send a friend in your place until you have a negative test. Classes will not be rescheduled, credited or cancelled. Once the class session starts the class is non-refundable. This was our policy pre-Covid and continues to be our policy today. We hope you find this policy acceptable and understand that this policy is required for a small school like SFCS to operate and open our kitchens for great food experiences.
The average duration of our current cooking classes is 4 hours, which is predominately hands-on work. You will be standing for the majority of class, cooking at your work station as your instructor demonstrates techniques and walks around providing individual feedback. Most of the time you’ll be working with a partner or small group on a few different recipes.
Doors will open 10 minutes prior to class starting and we will begin promptly on time. Students will be asked to queue up outside the door of the school to have their vaccine cards checked the first week of class (these will only need to be checked once).
Please arrive at the school with your own mask on. New, disposable masks are available should you need to replace yours while in class.
Wear comfortable clothes and close-toed shoes (remember, you’ll be on your feet cooking). The kitchens at SFCS are fully equipped with everything else you need, including clean aprons.
You will sit down with your classmates to eat what you’ve all prepared, along with some wine. We do suggest you have a small snack before class as dinner does happen towards the end of each session.
Wear casual clothing you can easily move around in, and comfortable close-toed shoes. Long hair must be pulled back and masks are required while in the building.
Cancellation Policy
Thy Tran

Thy has been writing, teaching, cooking and eating in the San Francisco area for over 20 years. She has worked in restaurants, co-authored award-winning cookbooks, contributed to national food magazines, and consulted for a wide range of nonprofits on issues of food, culture, and health.