29-31 Dazhalan Xi Dajie
10/6353-3338
HOURS: Daily 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
COST: Entrées less than ¥100
METRO: Qianmen (Line 2)
The name of this well-loved savory bun shop means “dogs don’t come near.” The origins of the name are unclear, but Goubuli’s buns are good enough to attract long queues come lunch and dinnertime.
The shop on Dazhalan pedestrian street has an elaborately decorated facade painted red and blue and adorned with lanterns. Inside, the traditional decor features gold dragons and red doors.
Goubuli’s Tianjin-style baozi (steamed buns) contain a variety of fillings, most usually pork but also often vegetables, and have a thicker, fluffier skin than most. You get around 10 buns per steamer.
Incidentally, Chinese legend attributes the invention of these buns to the 3rd century military strategist Zhuge Liang.