The baozi line ritual

To get the best food in China, you have to stand in line. Baozi are fluffy steamed buns with filling, and they're worth the wait.

“To get the best food in China, I'm told you have to stand in line.”

A reporter's baozi assignment

Assigned to cover Chinese breakfasts, the reporter queued at a Beijing bun shop and tried soy sauce pork, eggplant and green pepper, and pickled vegetable varieties.

Juice stains mean quality

Filling juice staining the buns is a sign of a good baozi, according to Beijing resident Samantha Zhao, who was making fennel pork baozi at a workshop.

“Juice from the fillings stained the buns. That's an indicator of a good bun.”

Bao Er Jiu's creative flavors

The trendy shop Bao Er Jiu serves eye-catching pineapple-shaped buns and a signature chocolate red bean flavor that's tasty without being too sweet.

Maybe next time

The reporter admits she hates waiting in line, but might return to the shop if the line moves fast enough to grab baozi again.

“If I pass this shop again, and if the line moves fast, maybe I will wait for baozi.”