Bao & Pancakes Inc. 新天津包子

Locating the eatery involves heading past glass doors, down the stairs, and into a basement corridor of shuttered storefronts shared with a few other micro-stalls. Here, you can customize your dumplings by choosing from five proteins, including lamb or beef, and vegetables like pumpkin or bamboo shoots. The kitchen prepares them on the spot—with the option to have them pan-fried—serving them in batches of twelve. The menu also features giant pork buns, fried veggie balls, and savory pancakes with egg and chives, alongside a self-serve selection of chili oil, garlic sauce, and vinegar.