MANILA -- Xiao long bao favorite Paradise Dynasty recently opened a new branch at SM Aura.

To mark the occasion, Paradise Dynasty’s chief operating officer Edlan Chua, and business development and partner relations head Joyce Lao flew in to talk about the new branch, Paradise Dynasty’s past, and where it is going in the near future.

Here are 8 things you may not know about Paradise Dynasty.

1. 8 is a lucky number for the Paradise Dynasty group

Eight is a very auspicious number for Paradise Dynasty. Even if they come up with more xiao long bao flavors, there will only be 8 flavors in its signature xiao long bao basket. The significance even shines in the presentation when the ziao long bao is served. “When our waiters open up the xiao long bao baskets, they put the lid on the side so that it resembles the number 8,” Chua said.

2. The menu features more than just Hunan and Sichuan cuisines

A big part of Paradise Dynasty’s menu can be intimidating. Some dishes are pictured on a bed of fried peppers or gleaming red with chili oil. Putting “Dynasty” in the name denotes wholistic view of Chinese cuisine. “While we do specialize in Northern Chinese cuisine, we have Szechuan, Hunan, Beijing and Shanghainese food too. When you translate xiao long bao, it means Shanghainese soup noodles,” explained Lao.

3. Paradise Dynasty is part of a Singaporean group

What’s surprising about this restaurant that’s seen so much success in China is that it is actually Singaporean. Paradise Dynasty belongs to the Paradise Group that started out as a store specializing in Singapore-style seafood back in 2002. Things really started moving when it became a holding company in 2008 soon after Chua became COO in 2006. In Shanghai alone, the group has 20 outlets across its three brands — Paradise Dynasty, Paradise Classic, and Taste Paradise.

4. Paradise Dynasty’s xiao long baos are standardized

Each dumpling should weigh in at 25 grams. The skin should be 6.5 grams and the filling 19.5 grams. Even dumpling should also be closed with 18 folds. Any more folds and the skin will have to be thicker. “We standardize each xiao long bao because we believe that one guest should finish one basket. When a guest finishes one basket, he will be pleasantly full,” said Lao.

5. The soup in each xiao long bao flavor is distinctly different.

The soup in each Xiao Long Bao is specifically infused with each flavor’s ingredient. “Other truffle xiao long bao would put a piece of truffle and call it truffle xiao long bao. We prepare truffle broth and use that in our dumplings,” said Lao. Chua demonstrated the recommended way of eating the soup dumplings to get the most of the special soup.

6. Paradise Dynasty has mascots

The restaurant has mascots that represent the eight standard varieties of Xiao Long Bao: original, ginseng, foie gras, black truffle, crab roe, cheese, garlic and Szechuan. They’re usually around during special occasions to entertain young guests.

7. The Paradise Group is going places

Apart from branches in Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar, and the Philippines, the Paradise Group is opening outlets in Vietnam soon. Besides that, they will be expanding into North America, aiming to open a branch in Los Angeles, California sometime next year.

In the Philippines, the SM Aura branch is the latest branch after Podium and S’Maison at the Mall of Asia Complex.

8. They make limited edition xiao long bao

Paradise Dynasty makes limited edition Xiao Long Bao for each of the countries they are in. For example, they made a chocolate version for Malaysia, red bean for China, and a yam dumpling for Taiwan.

For Singapore, they made a Chili Crab Xiao Long Bao that uses crab meat instead of pork. It really does taste like the fiery Singaporean specialty nicely dressed in a red and white dumpling wrapper reminiscent of the Singaporean flag. This will be available for a limited time in the Philippines to celebrate the opening of the SM Aura branch.