Hangzhou’s “Ganqishi” Baozi Shop Marches into Harvard — A Pork Bun Costs $3 Pre-Tax

▲ Ganqishi baozi. (Photo / From Ganqishi’s official website)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

The Hangzhou-based baozi chain “Ganqishi” is expanding to the United States, with its first outlet set to open in Harvard Square near Harvard University. Currently under renovation, the branch is expected to open in the first half of the year, with its juicy pork bun priced at around $3 before tax.

It’s the first time a baozi shop in China has launched an international chain. In January 2014, “Tianjin Goubuli” once announced the acquisition of a well-known U.S. coffee chain but stated that “it won’t sell baozi in coffee shops.”

Gao Jun, deputy general manager of Hangzhou Ganqishi Catering Management Co., Ltd., said in an interview with The Paper on the 3rd that baozi is food that represents traditional Chinese culture, and spreading and sharing Chinese culinary culture is one of the reasons for opening stores in the United States. “In addition,Americans highly respect and love handmade products, and baozi are entirely handcrafted — we believe there’s a market for them.””

Established in 2009, Ganqishi currently has nearly 200 outlets in Hangzhou and Shanghai, selling at least 70 million baozi annually. Coupled with drinks like soy milk, its annual sales exceed 200 million RMB.

However, this first overseas location is in Harvard Square rather than a tourist area densely visited by Chinese travelers. Gao Jun explained, “Our target customers are local American residents and students, not tourists — the Boston area where Harvard is locatedis home to many universities, and college students are generally more receptive to foreign cultures.””

▲% Most of the customers in the U.S. stores will be locals. (Photo / From Ganqishi’s official Weibo)