The only standout on Hualien's Gongzheng Street, Zhou’s Steamed Dumplings and Xiaolongbao, has always been in fierce competition with Gongzheng Baozi when they were still at the corner. Back then, most people focused on Gongzheng Baozi, with long queues forming at its entrance. Only a few who didn’t want to wait in line would head straight to Zhou’s. The rivalry between the two wasn't of much interest to outsiders.
Many who didn’t want to wait in line and went to Zhou jia Steamed Dumplings and Xiaolongbao would say their food was quite good and not inferior to Gongzheng Baozi. (This is assuming they had tried Gongzheng Baozi before.) Actually, many years ago when I came to Hualien, I had tried Gongzheng Baozi, but it's been so long that I forgot what it tasted like. This time, it’s an opportunity to refresh my memory.
Now that Gongzheng Baozi has moved to beside the temple, Zhou jia Steamed Dumplings and Xiaolongbao has become the only one on Gongzheng Street. Even around 10 PM, there are still quite a few people buying, whether for dine-in or takeout. However, my first impression is that their attitude isn’t very good! But the store has been renovated, and the cleanliness and lighting are much improved!
The price of one Xiaolongbao is NTD 6, which is NTD 1 more expensive than Gongzheng Baozi. You can choose the quantity yourself, but most customers in front of me ordered at least one steamer basket, and the staff's attitude seemed better. When I ordered just five, they seemed a bit impatient and asked twice if I wanted anything else. When I said no, they looked annoyed. Additionally, there was no extra plastic bag provided.
Even if I try to overlook this factor, it still feels somewhat irritating. The dipping sauce depends on the person, but the flavor of the Xiaolongbao itself is sufficient, though it's relatively mild. The distribution of meat filling is slightly more balanced, and the taste depends on personal preference. However, I can understand why some people might prefer Zhou’s. After all, it comes down to individual tastes!
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