When it comes to Yokohama Chinatown, one shop always stands out as the most popular: Houtenkaku (鵬天閣). From the moment they open, there’s always a long line of customers waiting. Even on quiet weekday nights, a crowd gathers outside their storefront. While they have a dim sum restaurant on the second floor, the real draw is the TO GO service on the ground floor.
At Houtenkaku, you can enjoy freshly cooked shao long bao (soup dumplings). There’s a small eating area nearby where many customers enjoy their food right after purchase. The shop even provides bags and covers for convenience.
The TO GO menu is numbered, making it easy to order. Their No.1 item is by far the most popular choice!
Almost everyone orders the baked shao long bao set (No.1). This set includes two types of dumplings:
*Green dumplings: Seafood shao long bao (colored with spinach)
*White dumplings: Pork shao long bao
They also provide vinegar for dipping, available on the side. I brought my set back to the nearby hotel to enjoy it in my room.
The dumpling skin is thick and springy, so I had to use a bit of effort with the chopsticks to cut into them. Once pierced, the soup inside burst out, filling my mouth with rich flavors. The grilled side of the dumplings was wonderfully crispy, while the other side retained a chewy texture. The combination made eating them both satisfying and fun!
It’s amazing that such delicious baked shao long bao is so easily available. I completely understand why they’re so popular!
About
Name Houtenkaku (鵬天閣 新館)
Open Day through night
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