Taipei Ximending's popular soup dumplings make a reverse import to Tokyo! Ryozanpaku Xiaolongtangbao's first Japanese store opens in Ikebukuro on July 31.

2026.08.11

Taipei Ximending's popular soup dumplings make a reverse import to Tokyo! Ryozanpaku Xiaolongtangbao's first Japanese store opens in Ikebukuro on July 31.

Those who have eaten Xiao Long Tang Bao in Taipei's Ximending can plan an extra fun "reverse-imported" food itinerary when visiting Tokyo's Ikebukuro in the summer of 2026. Coming from Taipei's Ximending, and gaining popularity with its soup-bursting Xiao Long Tang Bao,Liang Shan Po Xiao Long Tang Bao, the first Japanese store will be atJuly 31, 2026In TokyoYodobashi Camera Ikebukuro storeThe 8th floor is officially open.

This news is very interesting for Taiwanese travelers. Usually, traveling to Japan is mostly about chasing Japanese ramen, sushi, and desserts, but this time it's about bringing the familiar taste of Taipei to a Tokyo department store's dining floor. If you suddenly crave piping hot soup dumplings while traveling in Japan, or want to introduce Taiwanese snacks to your Japanese friends, this shop in Ikebukuro will be a very easy stop to arrange.

Table of Contents

1 From a small Ximending shop to Tokyo's Ikebukuro, Taiwan's first xiao long bao shop in Japan
2 The signature dish is juice-bursting xiao long bao, featuring rich broth hidden inside thin wrappers.
3 Not only soup dumplings, but also Mapo tofu and shrimp fried rice.
4 Opening on the 8th floor in Ikebukuro, making it convenient to stop by for both shopping and anime itineraries.
5 Store Basic Information
6 Dining and itinerary suggestions for Taiwanese travelers

From a small Ximending shop to Tokyo's Ikebukuro, Taiwan's first xiao long bao shop in Japan

Liang Shan Po Xiao Long Tang Bao started as a small shop in Taipei's Ximending in 2000, gradually building popularity through the aroma released when the steamer baskets are opened, the soup-filled xiaolongtangbao, and word-of-mouth on the internet. For many people who love Taiwanese snacks, Ximending has always been a place where it is easy to find great food while traveling, and this time, the choice of Ikebukuro for the first Japanese branch happens to be an area in Tokyo with a high concentration of transportation and shopping.

The name "Liangshanbo" in the restaurant's title carries the imagery of "all men within the four seas are brothers" from *Water Margin*, which fits a dining establishment very well: people from different places sit around a basket of hot soup dumplings, enjoying not only the broth and the aroma of the meat, but also a lively sense of human warmth. For Taiwanese readers, this article is not about treating Taiwanese flavor as a novel foreign dish, but rather looking at how it takes root in Tokyo, transforming into a meal that can be casually compared and reminisced about during a journey.

The signature dish is juice-bursting xiao long bao, featuring rich broth hidden inside thin wrappers.

The core charm of Liangshanzupo Xiaolongtangbao is its handmade wrapper, which is thin yet elastic enough to hold a large amount of soup. The filling focuses on a rich meaty aroma and fresh sweetness. When bitten into, the soup flows out noticeably. When eating them, it is best to gently pick them up, place them on a spoon, poke a small hole, drink the soup first, and then eat the dumpling so as not to get burned by the hot soup.

If you usually eat xiaolongbao and soup dumplings often in Taiwan, when visiting the Tokyo branch, you can focus on comparing three things: soup, wrapper texture, and meat filling aroma. The dining environment on restaurant floors in Japan usually has stable seating and traffic flow, making it easier for those bringing elderly people, children, or wanting to sit down and have a proper meal in the middle of shopping, compared to small street-side waiting-in-line shops. Crowds might be on the heavier side during the initial opening period, so it is recommended to avoid peak lunch and dinner hours.

Not only soup dumplings, but also Mapo tofu and shrimp fried rice.

In addition to its signature xiao long bao, the first Japan branch also offers dishes suitable for sharing, such as mapo tofu and shrimp fried rice. If you are going with two or more people, ordering the xiao long bao is a must, paired with a rice dish or a stir-fry to make the meal feel more like the rhythm of a Taiwanese dining table rather than just eating dim sum.

For Japanese friends trying Taiwanese flavors for the first time, xiao long tang bao are easy to enjoy, and fried rice is a safe choice; those who like bold flavors can order mapo tofu as well. Taiwanese travelers dining on their own, on the other hand, can relax and observe how the Tokyo branch adapts its flavors and service style. This feeling of something familiar yet slightly different is precisely what makes "reverse-imported" food so interesting.

Opening on the 8th floor in Ikebukuro, making it convenient to stop by for both shopping and anime itineraries.

The store is located on the 8th floor of Yodobashi Ikebukuro in Minami-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo. Ikebukuro is already a major transit hub on the northwest side of Tokyo, surrounded by department stores, electronics retailers, anime-related shops, and theater facilities. If your itinerary includes shopping in Ikebukuro, visiting Sunshine City, or looking for anime merchandise, scheduling lunch or dinner here would fit in very smoothly.

Ikebukuro has many dining options, but because there are so many choices, you often have to wait in line during peak hours. Liangshanpo Xiaolong Tangbao is located inside a large commercial facility, making it a suitable restaurant to "recharge your energy halfway through shopping." It is recommended to check the business hours for the day in advance and arrange your dining time according to your shopping route; if some members of your party want to eat Taiwanese food while others want to shop for home appliances or cosmetics and drugs, this location makes coordination very easy.

Store Basic Information

Store Name:Ryozanpaku Xiaolongbao Yodobashi Ikebukuro Branch

Opening Day:Friday, July 31, 2026

Address:8th Floor, Yodobashi Ikebukuro, 1-28-1 Minamiikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo

Business Hours:11:00 AM - 11:00 PM, subject to change depending on facility operating hours

Signature dishes:Xiaolongbao, Mapo tofu, shrimp fried rice, etc.

Official Website:Liang Shan Po Xiao Long Tang Bao

Dining and itinerary suggestions for Taiwanese travelers

If it's your first time trying a Taiwanese brand restaurant in Japan, you can treat it as a casual comparison experience. Japanese locations often adjust their service procedures, environment, and consistency of flavors. While it's not exactly the same as the lively vibe of a Taipei street food stall, it makes it easier to fit into a family trip or a shopping day.

The most recommended itinerary is to treat Ikebukuro as a half-day shopping district. First, browse the department stores, home appliance stores, or anime shops, and then head to the 8th floor to enjoy a basket of hot soup dumplings. If you are traveling with Japanese friends, this is also a great opportunity to introduce how to eat xiaolongbao and where the best ones are from a Taiwanese perspective. Encountering a familiar Taipei flavor during your trip will add a very unique memory to your Tokyo itinerary.