Tianjin Restaurants

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This restaurant chain is an absolutley stunning place to dine. Not only is the architecture great, as the entire restaurant is build in wooden Chinese style but combine that with awesome Chinese cuisine and atmosphere!
I went there for lunch and enjoyed a selection of local dishes included the famous steamed buns of which Tianjin is famous for, lightly spiced Shredded Pork & Pickled Cabbage Soup, I ate jelly fish which was quiet "crunchy".
The restaurant is also known for its daily seafood buffet, which includes ice-bedded items including crab claws, mussels, salmon, squid and shrimp.
They have menues in English so it makes your selection easier - however my tips is go with a local as I did and make this entire meal an experience!
And the Goubuli Bun Shop has developed into a corporation with 89 branch restaurants opened in Tianjin and two dozen other Chinese cities, provinces and regions - so you could enjoy the same food elsewhere in China!

I absolutely love Asian food and I definately be not a fan of fast food.There are numerous local restaurants in Tianjin which provide wonderful local,chinese food.However,I went one time at the Pizza hut at the entrance of the golden street(from the riverside).How to describe....Best Pizza I have ever had,starters (lot choices)have been asian style.Everything fresh,tasty,fresh salad.Cosy atmosphere,very good service.Accept to wait 15-20minutes till you get seated(which is totally unusual in China:-)))Unfortunately I don`t have fotos from the place...It is next to the river,you cross the bridge and then it is located on the right side-opposite of a hughe shopping center(at the beginning of the golden street when you come from the riverside)

Favorite Dish: Everything was tasty.Have been 4times there and went out always very satisfied.Loved the choice of starters,specially the seafood.

Another famous Tianjin dessert is "Er Duo Yan Zha Bing" which is "Ear Eye Fried Rice Cake".

It can be rather oily and inside is red bean paste.

Not the best dessert for me but have to buy and try as it is a local famous specialty. One person's favorite is another person's not so favorite dessert.

"Ma Hua" is a twisted dough with sesame seed that is a famous Tianjin dessert.

It is crispy, break easily and not as hard as it looks. Very popular as a gift from Tianjin, you can see many Beijingers and Chinese tourists buying specially packaged boxes to bring home.

There are now many different flavor to choose from. There are different sizes too. It can last a few days and like donuts taste great at first and than more than enough when you are full.

So try and buy some back when in Tianjin.

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There are two major choices - pork or seafood.

Pork is "rou" (meat} or "sanxian" (seafood) with seafood version slightly more expensive.

It comes in a freshly steamed basket containing 8 dumplings. You do not need to peel the "skin and just dip into the vinegar sauce for taste.

Usually sold as individual set lunch with other appetizers. Or you can dine and other dishes in a small group.

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We had our dinner at this restaurant here. As usual, for package tour, we had more than 8 courses which included the famous "Gou Bu Li" (Dogs Don't Even bother) buns. Frankly speaking, the buns tasted quite ordinary and think that the Char Siew Buns in my country taste better. No Offence :P I am not too sure how the buns got their names, the story behind "Gou Bu Li"? If you know, maybe can share with us? :)

This restaurant has awesome Western food. They have pizza, mexican food, italian, burgers, etc... (KFC and McDonald's are only good for so long!)
The restaurant is owned by an American, so it is real western-style food. (No corn on top of your pizza!)
They play good music and their waitresses are friendly too.
If you are near the TEDA area it is definitely a place to check out.

Favorite Dish: Chimichanga with black beans and rice

Goubuli is synonym with high grade baozi or steamed dough bun. It is the pride of Tianjin and there is not a few people who make the trek there just to have a taste of the real thing, now that it has opened branches outside Tianjin. The first floor is reserved for quick-eatery fast food style. You can only order pre-cooked set menu here, eat it in a flash, leave your seat for other customers, thank you very much. For a more cozy and enjoyable dining, go up to the 2nd floor where you can order other dishes including cook-to-order baozi.

Favorite Dish: Try the pork filling or the more expensive special fillings that can cost up to Y18/bun.