Zhang Baopu (张包铺, Daowai)

Zhang Baopu (Zhang's Bun Shop), Daowai branch, is on Nanxun Street near Nan 2 dao Street in Harbin's Daowai District, Heilongjiang province. The steamed-bun house dates to 1902 and is one of the older food brands in the city. Daowai is the historic Chinese quarter of Harbin, known for its Chinese Baroque architecture, and the shop is a good pairing with a walk through that neighbourhood, which lies across the railway from the more Russian-influenced Central Street area.

Baozi, the filled steamed buns, are the speciality, and the shop is known for rib meat inside the buns. Pork-rib baozi are the emblematic order, with sauerkraut-and-pork baozi as the other traditional filling, in keeping with the Northeast habit of pickled cabbage. Guobaorou, the crisp sweet-and-sour pork, is also on the menu for those who want a heavier dish. Buns are soft, juicy and quite large, and two or three make a filling meal.

The shop is a casual, inexpensive eatery with simple tables and quick service. It is bright and busy at breakfast and lunch, with a steady stream of locals and tourists, and noise is moderate. No dress code applies. Beverages are simple, generally tea, soy milk or soft drinks.

Prices are low, placing the shop in the budget bracket. No reservation is needed, and diners can walk in, with a phone line at 0451-88396943 for enquiries. The shop is open daily from 10:30 to 20:00. It is at its busiest around lunch and on weekends, and during the winter festival season and holidays a short queue for a table or a takeaway bag of buns is likely.