On a regular day, around noon, I bought a pork bun for 350 yen and ate it right away. However, it was not as hot as usual and the bottom was dry and crispy, almost hard. I even asked the staff if it was hot, but maybe they were inexperienced. It felt like throwing money away. I can't evaluate the taste. Next time, I'll go through the hassle of returning it for an exchange.

Meat processing company Meijiya Sangyo Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture) has been in business for 50 years, mainly focusing on the meat industry. Since 1994, they have been operating a handmade authentic dim sum takeout shop called "PAOPAO" using black pork and Japanese pork. It was the most crowded spot in the food area on the second basement floor of Tobu Ikebukuro. They offer a seasonal shumai set (1,253 yen) with four varieties: black pork shumai, Japanese pork mochibuta shumai, shrimp shumai, and shiitake mushroom shumai. While I couldn't distinguish between the black pork and Japanese pork, I found the meat quality to be higher than the dim sum sold in supermarkets. Compared to the original shumai made by reputable Chinese restaurants, it may fall short in terms of flavor and texture due to the excessive use of meat binders, but for a chain dim sum shop, it is satisfactory. The best was the shrimp shumai, which was enjoyable with its bouncy texture and remained delicious even when cold.

I visited the restaurant just before closing time. I really wanted to eat gyoza, and I believe that paopao is the best. They were out of shumai and pork buns, but they had shrimp and chive buns and gyoza, so I bought those. I enjoyed them at home with beer. I had two gyoza with spicy miso and two with yuzu kosho. They were juicy and full of filling. The shrimp and chive buns were also delicious with just the right amount of cooking. I will definitely come back to buy more.

I have visited Pao Pao in Shinjuku many times, but it was my first time at the Tobu in Ikebukuro, so I decided to give it a try. The line at the Keio in Shinjuku is always long, so it was nice to be able to buy without waiting this time. I had some meat buns and Stamina Gyoza for the first time, bought 6 pieces to take home. I tried them with the dim sum sauce. The meat buns had the same delicious taste as always, packed with juicy meat. The gyoza was also tasty, especially with black vinegar. The meat-filled gyoza had a satisfying texture. I topped mine with Sichuan pepper for an extra kick of flavor. Eating them with salt and Sichuan pepper was also delicious. I will try the shumai next time.

Today I purchased a 270 yen meat bun. When I said I would eat it right away, the manager (I think) took one from the bottom of the steamer that had just been steamed. It was completely different from last time and was very fluffy and delicious. Thank you for the meal.

On this day, I went back to my hometown of Chichibu. Eating nikuman (steamed pork bun) on the Red Arrow train has become a routine for me now. I have used "Paopao" at Seibu Department Store a few times, but this time I had some time so I went to Tobu Department Store. I bought a coarse-ground black pork bun (308 yen). Now I'm on the Red Arrow train, so let's dig in. When I hear about "black pork" or "sticky pork," I can't help but be drawn to it. Amazing. The filling is packed tightly. The skin itself is delicious. It absorbs the umami of the meat. There is a lot of meat, but there is also a crunchy texture from the vegetables, making it a very delicious nikuman.

I finally tried the meat bun from Pao Pao that I've been wanting to eat for a long time! I visited Pao Pao at the Tobu Department Store in Ikebukuro. When I ordered one steamed meat bun, the staff asked me, "Will you eat it right away?" and I answered, "Yes!" So they put it in a bag for me. They even included a wet wipe, which was very much appreciated. I ate it right away while it was still warm. The bun was quite large, comparable to the ones from 551 Horai. The texture of the bun was fluffy and personally, I liked it. It was similar to the texture of convenience store meat buns, but even fluffier. The filling was very juicy! I was impressed by how juicy it was because I wasn't expecting much. The slight sweetness of the meat added to the flavor. There was plenty of juicy meat inside, so I was quite satisfied with just one. However, I could easily eat two in one go. It was a long time since I had encountered such a delicious meat bun. They also sell shumai and dumplings, so I plan to buy some as souvenirs next time.

[Visit on July 2, 2016] Location: This shop is located on the underground 2nd floor directly connected from Ikebukuro Station on the Tobu line. I visited at 5:30 PM on a Saturday. I wanted to buy some sweets and side dishes, so I came to this area. As a fan of dumplings, I couldn't miss this shop. There were about 5 groups of customers in front of me and about 5 groups behind me, showing how popular this place is. I was debating which dumplings to get, but eventually decided on 2 regular dumplings for 75 yen each and 2 stamina dumplings for 75 yen each. The regular dumplings didn't have garlic, while the stamina dumplings did. The dumplings were relatively small, but at 75 yen each, they were cheap and appreciated. I had them as a snack with alcohol. The regular dumplings were not very rich due to the lack of garlic, but they were delicious. They were bite-sized, perfect for men. The stamina dumplings had a strong garlic flavor, living up to their name as stamina-boosting dumplings. Both were delicious, and I was grateful for the variety of dumplings available. Thank you for the meal.

Today, I went to Tobu Department Store and saw a shop called Paopao in the basement, so I decided to try it out. It's a meat bun shop, and at first I thought about getting the black pork bun, but then I was intrigued by the shrimp and chive bun so I bought that instead. It costs 206 yen for one, but it's quite big. The filling has shrimp, chives, and other ingredients, and the texture of the shrimp was really delicious. It reminded me of the "oyaki" from Nagano, which I personally like. Next time, I'll try the meat bun or the black pork bun.

One day's snack. In Tobu, there is PAOPAO. I have only eaten meat buns here so far. I would like to challenge the black pork someday, but... The shumai also looks delicious, but... Today, it's meat buns again. 189 yen. They also provide a hot towel. The juicy filling is quite good! I would be even happier if the skin had more bite to it. I think it would be more balanced that way. It would be nice to have more light snacks that can be easily eaten. The staff was very friendly and welcoming. Thank you for the meal☆

While walking around the town, I somehow ended up near Ikebukuro Station and found Tobu Department Store. Since I love exploring department store basements, I decided to start exploring Tobu Department Store's basement. There were many delicious dishes available, which got me excited. I found steamed meat buns being sold at "Paopaosan" and decided to try the "Arabiki Black Pork Bun". The bun was fluffy and slightly chewy with a hint of sweetness in the skin. The filling consisted of pork, onions, bamboo shoots, shiitake mushrooms, and ginger, seasoned with a sweet and salty soy sauce flavor. The bamboo shoots added a nice crunchy texture, and the meat juices oozed out with each bite. Overall, it was a delicious meat bun with a good balance of flavors and textures. Thank you, "Paopaosan" for the tasty treat!

I bought some nikuman (steamed pork buns) to go from Tobu Ikebukuro. Each box contains three large nikuman. The skin is thick, so it takes a while to heat up. After thawing, I microwaved them for about 5 minutes until they were soft and ready to eat. The top half has twisted skin, making it particularly thick. About half of the filling is sweet red bean paste. The red bean paste is packed tightly with a soft texture. The bottom part has thin skin, and you can see the red bean paste through it. Unfortunately, some parts near the edges became hard and chewy, possibly due to improper heating.

2015.10.15 As usual, Paopao-san continues to visit the restaurant once a month due to requests from home. On this day, he purchased meat buns for home consumption. The meat buns were packed full of filling and, as always, delicious. 2014.10.12 Due to frequent requests from home, Paopao-san visits the restaurant once a week. Recently, there have been many instances of meat buns being sold out, which raises concerns about the operation. Today, they were sold out of my order, and I was told it would be ready in 15 minutes if I waited. I couldn't help but think that this could have been prevented if they had steamed it 15 minutes earlier. The staff's insensitive tone when asking what I wanted, even though I had already said meat buns, was disappointing. I wish they would put more thought into their service. 2014.01.24 I visited Paopao-san after a long time to satisfy my craving for delicious meat buns. I also tried the shumai and scallop shumai, in addition to the meat buns. The meat buns were filled to the brim with meat, giving the sensation of eating pure meat. The black pork shumai had a rich flavor that spread throughout the mouth. The scallop shumai, which I tried for the first time, had a prominent scallop flavor and was my favorite among all the scallop shumai I have tried. I would like to visit this restaurant again. 2012.11.10 On this day, I purchased five meat buns and five black pork shumai from Paopao-san, a restaurant I frequently visit. As always, I received freshly made, piping hot items. The meat buns had a high meat content, spreading the delicious meat flavor throughout the mouth. There was hardly any meat juice, which was convenient for keeping hands clean. The black pork shumai were generously filled with meat, providing a satisfying eating experience. The affordable prices are also a major attraction. Thank you for the meal. Next time, I would like to try the scallop shumai.

When I feel like eating meat buns, I often use this place. The meat buns here are just as good as the ones from the convenience store, but they are filled with so much juicy meat filling! Eating them while they're still hot is really delicious. The slightly firm and thick skin is also tasty. I also tried the limited-time cheese shumai until October. It had lots of finely chopped cheese inside, which paired really well with the meat shumai. When you microwave it, the cheese melts just right and enhances the flavor. I hope they make it a regular item instead of limited-time. I also love their dumplings. They are packed with filling and juicy. The texture of the vegetables inside is enjoyable too. I look forward to having them at our dining table in the future.

The "nikuman" at this shop also has something that as a Kansai person, I can't honestly say is delicious. In that sense, there are similarities to "Gindaco" as well. The name "nikuman" itself, while familiar now, still brings to mind the thought, "It's pork inside!" The "nikuman" (¥189/1 piece) - a steamed bun filled with minced pork and onions. It can be described as elegant and light. On the positive side, the quality of the pork is good, but the seasoning feels lacking. The "anman" (¥189/1 piece) - a steamed bun filled with smooth red bean paste. Surprisingly, this anman is delicious. Even if you're not a fan of sweet things, you could easily have two pieces in a row. There was also a "tonman" with the name "Satsuma Kurobuta Man," but with a price close to ¥300 for one piece, it felt too expensive. In my mind, "tonman" is something you buy for around ¥100 as a snack. Overall, it's not that it's not delicious, but it feels lacking. It's hard to accept that it doesn't come with mustard. If you like this kind of "nikuman," it may take some time for someone raised on "551 Horai" tonman to get used to this thing called "nikuman." It's hard to believe that this "nikuman" without mustard is enjoyable. I wonder if those who like this kind of "nikuman" would find "551 Horai" tonman too greasy and heavy, but it doesn't seem that way. I searched for "Pao Pao" on Tabelog and found that the Ikebukuro store is ranked an impressive 3rd place, following the Tokyo and Nagoya station stores! Once again, my current hometown, this great rural town, has made me feel proud. (Written by Kyonatsu Shuusora, 2014.5.24) (※Photos will be posted later.)

It is usually a crowded and popular restaurant with long lines. So, I often buy at Marui in Shiki, but today there was no line and I could buy quickly. I bought a Shumai set (shrimp, black pork, pork) with 12 pieces for 1000 yen, which I often buy, and also tried the new menu item, leek grilled bun, with 2 pieces. I usually buy the meat bun for 168 yen, but I was a bit curious... The result was a bit disappointing. The leek was a bit lacking, and there was plenty of shrimp and pork, packed tightly. However, the taste was a bit strong, and the bottom of the bun was hard and dense, probably because it had cooled down. I think it would be delicious if steamed again. It just doesn't compare to the usual meat bun, after all.

PAOPAO is a popular takeout shop specializing in meat buns and shumai. Whenever we feel like having meat buns, this is the place to go! This time, we tried the classic and standard meat bun. It is steamed and reheated, served piping hot. The balance of pork mince and onion flavors is perfect, and unlike 551 Horai, it is not greasy, so it feels healthier. We also tried shumai for the first time this time! We got a half-and-half order with shrimp shumai and black pork shumai. The seasoning is just right without the need for soy sauce, but the black pork shumai has a stronger flavor. The meat's fat content is noticeable, so it pairs well with plenty of Japanese mustard. Even with lots of vinegar, the flavor remains rich and oily. The shrimp shumai has a good balance between pork and shrimp. The seasoning is also adequate, but it pairs well with vinegar and mustard! Personally, I prefer the shrimp shumai. There are various flavors of meat buns available, so I would like to try a different one next time. But in the end, the pork buns might still be the best choice.

I often shop at Tobu Department Store's B2 floor, where there is a variety of deli shops in addition to vegetables and meat, which always catch my eye. Unfortunately, my husband is feeling unwell and resting during this Golden Week holiday. He said he wanted something light to eat with his medicine, so I decided to buy these meat buns to take home. I remembered that before we got married, I used to buy meat buns and red bean buns from another branch of this store. The meat buns (150 yen each) are individually handmade and steamed. You can taste the savory meat juice oozing out from the meat. The slightly thick dough is fluffy and subtly sweet. The meat is juicy, and just one of these buns can make you feel full and satisfied. The store also sells shumai and gyoza, but honestly, I found them tastier when I made them myself. I recommend the meat buns or red bean buns. The red bean paste in the red bean buns is packed tightly, providing a high level of satisfaction. You can watch them make the buns through the glass-walled kitchen. They work efficiently and skillfully, wrapping and shaping the buns. They are true professionals. I could watch them for hours, mesmerized by their skills. I wish I could learn their techniques too.

This place always has long lines, right? I often pass by but never had the courage to wait in line to buy anything. However, this time I decided to buy a pack of 12 dumplings with 3 each of 4 different flavors (black pork, shrimp, scallop, meat) to use as an easy dinner side dish. I found it troublesome to take out the steamer at home, so I just microwaved them. I will eat them with the attached soy sauce and mustard. The rare scallop dumplings had plenty of scallops inside. The shrimp dumplings were also full of shrimp. Both were delicious. The black pork dumplings and regular meat dumplings were tasty too. The shumai here is really good. Next time, I want to try the gyoza and meat buns. Thank you for the meal!

My mother often buys nikuman, gyoza, and shumai from Tobu. I have also been there before, and the steam rising from the steamer makes me want to buy them. I like the shumai because it is meaty, but the nikuman is also very filling. When I took them out of the box to steam them, I noticed that the shapes were a bit different. I thought the fillings might be different, but when I cut them open after steaming, they were the same (laughs). Since each one is hand-wrapped, maybe the shapes vary depending on the person making them. The filling in the nikuman is packed full of meat! It's recommended for meat lovers. One piece is enough to make a girl feel full.