SHI TOU MEN KAN

The vegetarian buns are famous. I ordered the bean sprouts and fennel and egg vegetarian buns. The fennel was a bit old. I also ordered small meat buns, pancakes, rice crust, and barley and red bean porridge. Personally, I think the small meat buns are the best (^^). We arrived at the restaurant a little after ten in the morning. There were no customers. The waiters wore masks. The service and environment were good.

It is in the same class as Goubuli, but this one features vegetarian buns. However, the business is obviously not as good as Goubuli, probably because of management problems. The vegetarian buns are delicious, with fermented bean curd fillings. The others tasted average.

Shitoumenkan Subao Shop was originally Zhensuyuan, which opened on Gongnan Street in the late Qing Dynasty. The owner built a threshold at the door to prevent summer rain from entering the shop, so it got the nickname "Shitoumenkan". Later, Empress Dowager Cixi bestowed the name "Shitoumenkan Subao" and established this shop name.

Very average, despite the good reviews. In February, the shop was swarming with mosquitoes, even more than in summer. The steamed buns and porridge were just so-so. Most importantly, the hygiene was terrible. I went based on recommendations, and was very disappointed.

In the hearts of old Tianjin residents, Shitoumenkan's steamed buns are just as famous as Goubuli's. However, compared to Goubuli's buns, they are more economical and affordable, especially the vegetarian buns from Shitoumenkan, which are the most popular.