Fried Dough Twist (Ma Hua)麻花

Goubuli Steamed Stuffed Bun (Goubuli Baozi) 狗不理包子

Ear Hole Fried Cake (Er Duo Yan Zha Gao) 耳朵眼炸糕

Thin Pancake and Rice Crust (Jianbing Guozi) 煎饼果子

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Fried Dough Twist (Ma Hua) 麻花
Long ago, two Tianjin brothers decided to open a bakery selling mahua, or “fried dough twists”. The brothers realized that in order to be successful, they’d need to distinguish themselves from the competition. Through trial and error, they eventually came up with a unique blend of spices that included osmanthus, ginger and walnuts, and worked them into the dough. The resulting mahua was huge hit, and this original flavor has placed Tianjin mahua on China’s culinary map.

Guifaxiang Mahua Food Group
Serving over a dozen mahua flavors, both fresh and packaged. A great place to pick up yummy gifts for friends back home.
Add: 25 Qianjin Lu, Hexi District, Tianjin
Tel: 022-88111920    
Website: http://www.gfx.com.cn/english/english_main.htm

Goubuli Steamed Stuffed Bun (Goubuli Baozi) 狗不理包子
A local adage states, “Those who don’t try any goubuli while in Tianjin cannot say they’ve been to Tianjin.”  These fluffy, sticky, stuffed buns are known for the special ingredients and methods used in their preparation. Goubuli baozi, which translates literally into “steamed buns even a dog wouldn’t eat”, are said to have been invented nearly 100 years ago by a Tianjin local named Gao Guiyou. When Gao was a child, his father affectionately nicknamed him “Gou zi”, or “baby dog”. The name stuck, and the townsfolk still called him by this name even when he was fully grown and had a job selling stuffed buns. His buns were delicious and popular, and he was so incredibly busy, he never had the time or inclination to talk to anyone, even his customers. The townsfolk would often joke, “Gou heeds no one, he’s so busy selling buns.”  Amusingly, that phrase can be interpreted in Mandarin as a play on the words “Even dogs will ignore these buns”. Over time, the snack’s renown grew, but Gao Guiyou’s real name was largely forgotten.

Goubuli Restaurant
Website: http://www.tjgoubuli.com/english/home.asp
Tianjin steamed buns done right. Dozens of stuffings and side dishes to choose from.

Tongan Dao Branch
Order Tel: 022-23042987

Xiaobailou Branch
Order Tel: 022-23020933

Dagu Lu Branch
Order Tel: 022-23020160

Haiguangsi Branch
Order Tel: 022-27024319

Ear Hole Fried Cake (Er Duo Yan Zha Gao) 耳朵眼炸糕
Though the name may be far from appetizing, curious travelers will be pleased to know that these fried cakes taste nothing like ears. The name originated during the Qing Dynasty, when Liu Wanchun set up a little fried cake shop at one end of Ear Hole Alley. Er Duo Yan cakes are crisp on the outside, gooey on the inside, and sweet all the way through.
Tianjin Erduoyan Zhagao Company耳朵眼炸糕餐饮公司
Add: 30 Beimenwai Dadao, Hongqiao District, Tianjin
Tel: 022-27270820
Website: http://www.tjcw.com/e-online/co_2.htm (Chinese)

Thin Pancake and Rice Crust (Jianbing Guozi) 煎饼果子
Available mostly from street-side vendors, this scrumptious millet-flour pancake is stuffed with fried dough and your choice of ingredients. Filled with calories and slightly oily, Jian Bing Guo Zi is hailed as an excellent antidote to a bad hangover.

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