HONG XING FAN ZHUANG

Red Star Steamed Buns are a famous traditional food in Shijiazhuang. My family used to buy them when I was a child. Now if you want to eat them in the morning, you have to queue up. It is said that the queue starts at five or six o'clock. There is a steamed buns shop at the entrance of Red Star Restaurant. If you only want to buy buns, you can wait at the takeaway window at the entrance. Inside is a restaurant that sells traditional Hebei dishes, especially golden lionfish, which is a famous dish in Shijiazhuang. There are not many restaurants that make this dish now. This fish is a big plate, and it is very skillful. It is a bit like squirrel mandarin fish, but it is more stylish than squirrel mandarin fish, sweeter, and suitable for parties with many people. There are several large private rooms here, which are good for entertaining guests. The service is actually good. Several sisters are very enthusiastic. Some people in the comments say that the service is not good, but sometimes they are really too busy.

A good local restaurant in Shijiazhuang, with unique decoration. The signature Red Star buns are very delicious, the service attitude is also good, and the dishes are served quickly. It is a bit noisy, but the business is very hot and it is often full.

I. Introduction: Living history in the city’s fireworks “Go to Red Star for meals and go to beauty salon for haircuts” – this classic line from the crosstalk by Ma Ji and Tang Jiezhong in Shijiazhuang in the 1980s is still a collective memory of the old Shijiazhuang people. As an important inheritance of Hebei cuisine, Red Star Restaurant started as the “Dachunfang” Restaurant in the 1930s. After public-private partnerships and name changes and reconstructions, it has always guarded the nostalgia of Shijiazhuang people with its craftsmanship. Today, let’s push open this wooden door that has been through half a century of wind and rain to explore the charm of the time-honored brand. II. The style of famous restaurants: from “foreign-related restaurants” to people’s canteens - Historical highlights: In the 1970s, Red Star was the only foreign-related restaurant in Shijiazhuang, and it hosted the signing ceremony for the establishment of diplomatic relations between Shijiazhuang and Nagano Prefecture, Japan; in the 1980s, “golden lionfish” was served at the state banquet in the Great Hall of the People, making Hebei cuisine amazing across the country. - Craftsman Gene: Master Chen Baosheng, the master of Hebei cuisine, has been in charge for decades, and has created the unique skills of "Hui and Han religions, big and small stoves", and trained more than 20 Chinese cooking masters. He insists that "dishes are people's character", and he is meticulous even for a 5-cent stewed pancake. - Full of honors: 16 "Hebei Province Famous and Special Dishes", "Golden Tripod Award" of the Ministry of Commerce, "Famous Chinese Snacks" (Red Star Buns), "China Gold Medal Tourism Snacks"... The bronze medals on the wall tell of the glory. III. The treasure of the town on the tip of the tongue: in-depth experience of must-order dishes 1. Golden lionfish: the ultimate aesthetics of knife skills and flavor - Visual shock: Selected live carp weighing more than 3 jin, the master chef uses the knife quickly, and the fish meat is cut into more than 200 filaments. After frying, it is fluffy like a lion's mane, and after pouring sauce, it is crystal clear, which can be called "edible sculpture". - Taste level: crispy on the outside like sugar shreds, tender fish meat on the inside, sweet and sour sauce with the aroma of aged vinegar, paired with slightly spicy shredded ginger, one bite conquers the stomachs of both north and south. 2. Red Star Buns: Breakfast Totem of Old Shijiazhuang - Secret of inheritance: Improved on the basis of Tianjin Goubuli, the dough is fermented with old yeast, and the taste is soft and has a wheat aroma; the filling insists on 70% lean and 30% fat pork front leg meat, and the onion fragrance enhances the freshness without covering the original taste of the meat. - Local way of eating: Dip in local aged vinegar with raw garlic, take a bite of buns and a bite of millet porridge, which is the authentic "Zhuangli breakfast" (tips: there are often long queues at the takeaway window, it is recommended to buy before 9:00). 3. Forgotten treasures: Furong chicken slices and braised kidney flowers - Furong chicken slices: chicken mince and egg white are repeatedly beaten, and after frying, it is like white jade. It is like clouds melting in the mouth, with chicken freshness and milk fragrance intertwined, and the palatability is perfect (especially suitable for the elderly and children). - Stir-fried kidney: Cut the kidney into wheat ear cutlets, stir-fry until crispy and tender without any fishy smell. The secret lies in "three quicks" - quick stir-fry, quick stir-fry, and quick removal from the wok, with full wok flavor. IV. Environmental services: real experience in the city life - Spatial aesthetics: blue brick walls, wooden couplets, old photo walls, a mix of Republic of China style and modern open kitchens. The private rooms are named after historical nodes such as "Baiyangdian", which makes people feel immersed. - Service status: ✓ Bonus points: fast serving of dishes (actually measured dishes are ready in less than 20 minutes), and the waiters are familiar with the allusions of the dishes; ⚠ Note: The hall is noisy during the peak lunch period (11:30-13:00), so it is recommended to avoid peak hours or choose private rooms. 5. Guide to exploring the restaurant: This is the only way to eat authentically Best time: 10:30-11:30 on weekdays - avoid the nostalgic trend of middle-aged and elderly people on weekends Must-order combination: golden lionfish + red star buns + fried kidneys. Fish is 128 yuan/portion. It is better to share fish with 3-4 people Hidden benefits: 10% off if you wait for more than 30 minutes - Special snacks are given on Mother's Day/Double Ninth Festival Transportation Guide: 500 meters walk from Exit D of Tangu Station on Metro Line 1. Buns are 15 yuan/tray. Free parking lot next to the store 6. Conclusion: Changes and invariants of time-honored brands The charm of Red Star Restaurant lies in the fact that it has never been diluted by the tide of the times - what changes is the city skyline outside the window, and what remains unchanged is the sauce aroma of braised pork elbows, the knife skills of the master chef, and the warmth of the hot buns. What you eat here is not fashionable, but the real taste that has been brewed over time. 【Statement】 Experience at your own expense, no commercial cooperation.

Enjoy two days in Shijiazhuang for just 800 yuan! Climb Baoduzhai, explore Zhengding Ancient City, eat Red Star steamed buns, and enjoy a nighttime light show... This "city brought by train" is full of surprises! When you think of Hebei, do you think of Baoding? Handan? Or perhaps skip it altogether? But you might not know—Shijiazhuang is more than just "the village" or "the stone gate"—it's a seriously underrated treasure trove! Without the hustle and bustle of Beijing, it offers the Zen charm of ancient temples, the majestic beauty of the Taihang Mountains, and authentic, carb-filled local cuisine. The key is—two days and one night, all for 800 yuan per person! No rush, no check-in required, in just two days, climb Baoduzhai to admire the surrounding mountains, explore Zhengding Ancient City to experience the charm of the Sui and Tang dynasties, and enjoy Red Star steamed buns and jar-oven biscuits—the kind that locals queue for. In Shijiazhuang, rediscover the vibrant and sophisticated charm of North China. Itinerary Overview | Approximately 800 RMB per person. Accommodation: 1 night in a boutique B&B near Zhengding Ancient City, 260 RMB. Meals: 4 meals + snacks, ≈ 240 RMB. Entrance fees: Baodu Village, 50 RMB, Zhengding Ancient City free, Kaiyuan Temple, 20 RMB, ≈ 70 RMB. Transportation: Round-trip high-speed rail/train, city bus, and taxi, ≈ 230 RMB (from Beijing/Tianjin). Total: Approximately 780-800 RMB. 1: Mountain Elegance + Ancient City Night Charm. Morning: Baodu Village. Huangshan in the south, Baodu Luquan District in the north | 50 RMB. Cable car, 35 RMB one-way (optional). Don't think Hebei is all plains! Baodu Village, a "castle in the sky" nestled in the Taihang Mountains, boasts sheer cliffs and steep slopes. Legend has it that a farmer carried a calf up the mountain to reclaim land, hence its name. The hike to the summit takes about an hour, or you can take the cable car halfway up the mountain and then hike to the summit. At the top of the mountain, you'll find the Han Xin Temple, Nantianmen, and the Huanzhai Ancient Road, offering panoramic views of Shijiazhuang, where the city and the mountains meet in a breathtaking scene. Lunch: Luquan Old Street - Enjoy an authentic "Zhuangli" meal at Lao Li Baozi Shop | 18 RMB. Must-try: Red Star Baozi (Pork and Scallion) + Clay Oven Baked Bun + Millet Porridge. Red Star Baozi, a Shijiazhuang intangible cultural heritage snack, boasts thin wrappers, generous fillings, and a fragrant aroma. Paired with freshly baked clay oven baked buns—crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and fragrant with sesame seeds—this meal is a complete carb-filled treat! Afternoon: Zhengding Ancient City - Nine Towers, Four Pagodas, and Eight Great Temples, and the China Ancient Architecture Museum. Zhengding County | Free (some attractions charge admission). Just 15 kilometers from downtown Shijiazhuang, this small city boasts 10 nationally protected sites! Key check-in points: Longxing Temple: Liang Sicheng praised it as "the first famous temple outside Beijing", with the Thousand-armed Guanyin of the Northern Song Dynasty Kaiyuan Temple: Tang Dynasty bell tower + Xumi Pagoda, unchanged for a thousand years Yanghe Tower: The rebuilt landmark of the ancient city, brightly lit at night It is recommended to enter after 4 pm to avoid the scorching sun. Evening: Night tour of the ancient city · Thousands of years of splendor under the light show As night falls, the entire ancient city lights up, and the blue bricks and gray tiles are covered with

Different flavors, experience different delicacies.