At around 1 pm, the Tongxiangyuan Steamed Bun Store was still crowded by customers, but it was not the most crowded in one day. The real busy peak was 7-8 am.

The steamed buns of Tongxiangyuan have been carried on for three generations. The bigger and second brothers of Family Jiang should be the fourth generation of inheritors.

You can taste the steamed buns while observing the skillful operation of the women in the kitchen. One bun three seconds, one basket thirty seconds. Their action is fast. Delicate steamed buns are made by the women one after another. In around ten minutes, baskets of steamed buns are served.

The steamed buns of Tonglu flavor are leavened buns. Unlike local steamed buns of Hangzhou which are mostly thin-skin and juicy, the Tonglu steamed buns are plump and soft. The folds have almost vanished because of the swelling of flour. The steamed buns look lovable.

Manual leavening is rare, yet what is more rare is that the steamed buns of Tongxiangyuan are not leavened with yeast powder but with soda powder. When you bite it, you will feel the light sweetness of wheat at your lip and teeth, but also can feel the fluffy and soft air. The meat stuffing is juicy and right.

A basket contains eight steamed buns, which takes 12 yuan. Another humanized aspect of Tongxiangyuan is that you can buy half a basket at 6 yuan.

Many customers also like to buy frozen buns home, eight ones at ten yuan and put them in their fridge. It would be a satisfactory breakfast by heating dozens of steamed buns in the morning.

The wheat cake with preserved vegetables and pork offered by Tongxiangyuan is also a signature product. With leek, extremely thin, the cakes taste nice whether they are hot or cold. Preserved vegetables are from rural areas of Tonglu, which are aired and dried naturally, absorbing the taste of sunshine and thus giving out a refreshingly nice smell.

(Executive Editor: Ke YE)