Greetings from Beijing, where baozi are worth the wait in line
A travel-focused piece explores the cultural significance of 'baozi' (steamed buns) in Beijing, highlighting the local tradition of queuing for popular food. The author shares personal experiences visiting local shops and the variety of fillings available.
Why it matters
Food culture serves as a window into local daily life and social habits in urban China.
Jennifer Pak/NPR To get the best food in China, I'm told you have to stand in line.
That's true for baozi — a fluffy steamed bun with filling. My go-to in Shanghai is dried tofu and veg.
I don't eat it often because I hate waiting.
But when I was assigned a story about Chinese breakfasts, I dutifully queued at a bun shop outside a Beijing park. I snagged baozi stuffed with their bestseller — soy sauce pork — also an eggplant and green pepper, plus one with pickled veg.
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