Go Believe Bakery

Hmm, how to review this place? It's such a mixed bag.... We've been purchasing buns and dumplings from Go Believe for ages. The large steamed buns in the fridge, sold in packs of six, are nice and fluffy even when reheated in the microwave for 45 seconds. (For the record, I never like to nuke bread products, but it works for steamed buns.) The bready part is oddly sweet and flavored with artificial vanillin, however, which I personally don't love, particularly not with the savory fillings we tend to go for. The smaller pork buns that come eight to a package are more traditional and are NOT made with sweet bread. We very much prefer the latter. Buns are reasonably well filled, including the roast pork variety. Unfortunately, the roast pork is dyed a suspicious color of red, a wee bit gristly, and sweeter than we find enjoyable. We don't do artificial food dyes, so will have to avoid this one in the future. The frozen dumplings are fair, with skins a touch thicker than we like, but generally well wrapped and sealed so that in most cases, the filling stays inside during and after cooking. They're not as thick as the dumplings at say, Prosperity Dumplings (King Dumplings as it's now called), or Vanessa's, which I know are plenty popular. Perhaps it's a stylistic preference, but to us, thick skins read as crude and clumsy, made without care. Go Believe's dumplings are not perfect by our metrics, but doable. Fillings are juicy and delicious across the board. I tried the egg cheung fun ("rice rolls" made with very wide, steamed rice noodles) on a recent visit. They are freshly made to order. Although mine had almost no egg in it (I know we're in the middle of a nation-wide egg shortage here, so it's hard to get too upset), the very silky, tender cheung fun was truly excellent. Sauces can be found in sticky bottles at one of the two sticky tables at the back on the ground floor. The most significant reason why I don't think I can go with a full five stars: It's chaotic at the counter and they sort of operate on a first come, first served basis..... unless you don't speak the dialect spoken by the counter folks, in which case they will studiously ignore you forever. (This has been the case for the last decade, not just a recent phenomenon, and evidently happens to others as well, so it's not just b/c they don't like my face! Though that would be understandable, too.)

Despite being around forever already, I have only tried their dim sum options this year. It is fast and affordable.I really like their shumai, its better than certain dim sum restaurants. My coworkers really like their ha gow and shrimp rice roll (always fresh since they are made to order but also means you have to wait a bit). So often times, we would get them for breakfast. I am also a big fan of their portugese tarts and their milk tea. Though at times, they really OD on the sugar in that tea so I usually ask for less sugar. Although I am a humungous bubble tea fanatic, the regular teabag milk teas really hit different.Sometimes, I would also get their ham sui gok. Most people complain that it doesnt have enough fillings but that is exactly the way I like it. I prefer the skin over the filling. It is also less greasy than the other bakeries I have tried.My only complaint is that since it is located in Chinatown, of course they do not know what lines are. As long as these places are around Chinese people, lines do not exist. First come first serve do not exist. You have to literally fight for your chance to order.

This is one of my go-to places to get frozen dumplings!This Chinese bakery does have food you can order and eat here, where I have only gotten a small items here and there such as Egg Tarts and Sesame Balls which as good, however my main goal of coming here is always for getting their frozen items! When you enter Go Believe, on the right side there are freezers that have a variety of frozen items to choose from such as different types of dumplings and buns. For people that would want to prepare these types of items at home, this is a great place to stock up on them! Also, if you do not see an item in the large tall freezers, make sure you also check the chest freezers next to them, as they will also have a bunch of frozen items inside.I specifically look to get dumplings, which when I prepare them at home are delicious! The ones I get come in bags of 50 dumplings. The dumpling skins are made well and hold up to being frozen and subsequently prepared. The type of dumplings I like to get are the chicken & mushroom and pork & chive. Finally, if possible, look to pay with cash as a discount would apply there! The last time I got dumplings I paid $27 for 100 dumplings

A friend recommended this place as my son loves the pineapple bun for only $1.50. He devoured it in no time. I noticed for good ones he'll eat the whole thing, for just okay ones he'll only eat the top part. We ate the Portuguese custard tart tonight it was delicious. I just cannot believe how good it is and how little they charge compared to other more famous bakery. Cannot wait to go back and try other baked goods

This is a little Chinese bakery that happens to have some dim sum options also. What's notable about them is their prices which are dirt cheap even by Chinese bakery standards. From cheapo buns and frozen dumplings to 3 to $4 rice rolls/cheung fun, you can find a lot for a little here. There are also wife cakes (i.e. melon cakes) which are $6 for a box of 8 along with other similar cakes. Sure the quality isn't the best and there was a better cheap bakery until it closed (New Kamboat [RIP],) but it's hard to complain. My favorite thing here is actually one of the more expensive stuff here. They sell durian cakes for $3.75 or it's slightly more for one with a salted egg in it. You can also buy a box for $21 but I'm not exactly sure how many come in a box but I presume it's six which would save around $1.50. In terms of the pastry itself, it is pretty crumbly and the durian inside has enough funk to it without being overly so. The salted egg one adds some extra complexity but I prefer the one with the durian only for more pure flavor. If there was another spot that sold either of these buns in this Chinatown, I would compare but I'm unaware of any other spot selling this delicious product. Would recommend for durian fans. Upper 3 for the specialty. Mid/low 3 for everything else but bumped up because the reasonable prices.

Now that Kamboat Bakery has closed, Go Believe is my new go-to for early morning dim sum before a road trip. I'm trying to keep this gem on the down low before the TikTok girlies blow this joint up like they have with Wah Fung and Mei Lai Wah because the frozen dim sum selection at Go Believe is fantastic. I love their watercress and shrimp dumplings (10 for $7) and their pork soup dumplings ($21), the latter of which makes a handy quick weeknight dinner for those days. Everything is reasonably priced and they are open pretty early for those early morning Chinatown brekkies.

Go Believe had solid food at a reasonable price. Food was cheap and okay (not great), definitely edible.I got Steamed flat rice roll (or Rice crepes) with fish. It was made to order and cost a few bucks. It was a bit soggy, and too soft, but still fine and edible.I may have got an egg tart too (not memorable) 3+ stars

This is my sisters favorite place to go every time we are in the area. I have been here a couple of times and everytime this place has been very crowded and busy. They offer frozen buns, shumai, and other dim sum goodies which you can steam or fry at home. I bought a bag of frozen pork and chive dumplings. My sister came and picked up some frozen wontons, sumai, and taro cake. They also have fresh buns and some cooked dim sum, plus fresh rice noodles available. This place is definitely a dive but it is a busy place.

The congee with hundred year old fermented eggs was delicious as comfort food. Definitely worth it as many shoppers choose a variety of frozen buns and dumplings at reasonable prices.

My go-to for pork buns--pork and vegetable and bbq pork, both delicious. I can't remember exactly how much they are, but it's around $1.25 a bun, I think (6 buns for 8 bucks, I think; something insanely cheap like that). They are in the refrigerated case on the right side when you walk in. They are always super fresh, and I'd call them the Goldilocks of steamed BBQ pork buns: sweet, but not too sweet; saucy, but not too saucy; chunky, but not too chunky. (For reference, I think the filling in the Mei Lai Wah pork buns is too sweet, too chunky, and too fatty--for my taste.) If you don't see the kind you want in the case, just ask. They sell so many, the case (especially the BBQ pork buns) empties out fast, so they are constantly refilling. There's also a freezer case full of excellent dumplings, which I also buy and love. They are great boiled or fried at home--and again, so affordable. I've not tried all of the special dumplings/dim sum items (shumai, har kow, and even xiao long bao!) yet. I've only tried a few of the hot items, and they have all been good, too (my favorite being the fried rice cake dumpling, filled with pork and dried shrimp). They also make steamed rice rolls by the window. I don't know why I've never tried those before... Basically, I have tried the pork buns at at least a dozen Chinese bakeries, and these are my family's favorite. (Pop one in the microwave, uncovered, with a ramekin filled with about 1/2 inch of water and nuke it for 60 seconds--or 90 seconds for 2--and they come out fluffy and perfect!)