Wear It Proud: Mr. Shi's Dumplings Sells T-Shirts

It seems like every time I stop by Mr. Shi's for some fried dumplings, the affable jiaozi connoisseur has something new to offer. In the time I've been in Beijing, I've watched his walls transform from just a few signatures from traveling expats to a full on, wall-to-ceiling mural. Then it was the new menu addition. Joel Shuchat, co-owner of The Orchid, a hotel across the street from the dumpling restaurant, worked with Mr. Shi on revamping his selection with cheesier takes on the Chinese dumpling – basil, tomato, mozzarella, and eggplant filling for fried jiaozi anyone?

And now, the 2013 Reader Restaurant Award winner's latest gig: A logo featuring himself.

Jin He, local illustrator and owner of Baochao Hutong's zombie paraphernalia shop, Monster, designed the very appropriate logo of Mr. Shi that you can now wear proudly on your chest (or back). The waitstaff are all looking quite stylish in green polo versions, and you can get yours for RMB 100 while they last.

It's difficult to say what Mr. Shi has up his sleeve next – a shiny track jacket perhaps? I hear he's learning guitar and has a new website in the works, so he's definitely one to keep an eye on in the coming months.

Photo: Jessica Rapp