Must eat in Beijing. 19+ must try & best street food in Beijing

November 18, 2024

peking duck china — Peking duck | seriouseats.com

What to eat in Beijing? Discover the delicious Beijing specialties that you cannot miss on your travel itinerary with 19+ must try foods, must eat in Beijing and best street food in Beijing below!

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The capital Beijing is considered a “culinary mecca” with countless delicious dishes that represent the flavors of China’s thousand-year history. The characteristic of Beijing cuisine is the harmonious combination of rich, fatty and light flavors, bringing an interesting experience in each dish.

With an irresistible appeal, the traditional dishes here always captivate visitors. From the legendary Beijing roast duck (Peking duck), soft steamed dumplings to the unique Zha Jiang Mian noodles, each dish contains its own story of this ancient city.

If you are a foodie, don’t miss the Beijing specialties that Klook suggests below!

Peking duck (Beijing Roast Duck) – Famous Specialty (#best street food in Beijing)

Beijing roast duck is a symbolic dish of Beijing’s culinary culture. Originating from the Qing Dynasty, this dish has appeared in poetry and important diplomatic events, even becoming a “peace gift” in Chinese history.

To create a thin, crispy, fragrant skin, the duck needs to be raised and processed using special techniques, through many elaborate stages from selecting the duck, marinating it with spices to roasting it in the oven. The way to eat this duck dish is also very Chinese: the duck skin is dipped in sweet bean sauce, then rolled with thin mooncakes with green onions and cucumbers. Diners can also buy the whole duck to take home to eat.

In Beijing, Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant (Address: 13 Shuaifuyuan Lu, Wangfujing, Dongcheng District, Beijing China/Hours: 10:30 AM – 9:00 PM) and Bianyifang (Address: QGP8+44M, Ronghua S Rd, Daxing District, Beijing, China, 102676/Hours: 10:30 AM–10 PM) restaurants are two long-standing famous places, creating a brand for Beijing roast duck. Why hesitate to experience the authentic taste of this famous dish.

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Dumplings (Jiaozi) – A Favorite Beijing Dish

A rustic yet sophisticated dish, with a lucky meaning in Chinese culture that you must try is dumplings. Chinese people often make dumplings on the occasion of Lunar New Year, symbolizing abundance and happiness for the new year. Each dumpling is skillfully wrapped in a thin, chewy pastry shell, with fillings such as minced meat, mushrooms, celery, cabbage.

Chinese dumplings are often prepared by boiling, steaming, making soup or deep-frying. If you like new flavors that stimulate your taste buds, you can try dipping dumplings in soy sauce with chili and ginger.

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A tip for you is to eat dumplings in even numbers, to pray for a prosperous and abundant life according to Chinese customs. Some restaurants such as Mr. Shi’s Dumplings or Shun Yi Fu are top choices for original dumplings.

Beijing-Style Zhajiang Mian Fried Sauce Noodle

Although originating from Shandong, the Beijing version of soybean noodles, also known as “Zhajiang Mian”, has conquered the palates of millions of tourists thanks to its familiar yet novel flavor. The soft, chewy hand-rolled noodles are mixed with a rich soy sauce made from pork stir-fried with ginger, creating a rich, delicious flavor that is not greasy at all.

A bowl of Zhajiang Mian noodles is often served with “toppings” such as cucumber, shredded radish, bean sprouts, and spinach to balance the flavor. When eating, you just need to mix it all up to feel the impressive blend of flavors of this family dish.

Beijing Soybean Noodles are affordable, around 38 CNY for a full portion. To taste authentic Beijing noodles, you can visit Fangzhuanchang, or Ox Street with halal noodles made from beef or lamb; and if you are a vegetarian, Bai Yi Shu Shi Lanzhou Noodles is a place not to be missed.

Jing Jiang Rousi – Beijing-style Shredded Pork with Black Soy Sauce

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Shredded pork with soy sauce (Chinese: 京酱肉丝) is a typical dish, indispensable in family meals or Lunar New Year in Beijing. Lean pork is thinly sliced, stir-fried with special black soy sauce, creating eye-catching colors and attractive aroma.

Not only reflecting the spirit of Beijing cuisine, this is also a “rice-consuming” dish because of the perfect balance between the sweet taste of meat, soaked in sauce, and the refreshing flavor of herbs and green onions, surely you will not be able to resist.

Don’t hesitate to visit restaurants specializing in Beijing cuisine, such as Jin Ding Xuan, to experience this quintessential dish. The price of a serving ranges from 45-55 CNY.

“Addictive” Beijing-Style Mongolian Hot Pot

Mongolian lamb hot pot, also known as Shuàn Yángròu (涮羊肉), was originally a “delicacy” during the Yuan Dynasty, originating from Mongolian nomads. Up to now, lamb hot pot has become a favorite dish of Beijing people in the cold winter. When eating lamb hot pot, diners will be impressed by the warm spicy taste of the broth and the natural fat and sweetness of each piece of young lamb. The most popular way to eat is to dip the meat into the hot pot just cooked to keep it soft and juicy, and eat it with noodles or light green vegetables.

The rich flavor and gentle aroma of cardamom, star anise, and jujube will surely leave an unforgettable impression on every visitor. For those looking for a warm space to enjoy Mongolian hotpot in the capital, Dong Lai Shun is a must-visit place, with prices ranging from 150-200 CNY for a portion of lamb hotpot.

Beijing-style Donkey Burger

If you have the opportunity to visit Hebei province, about 150 km from Beijing, you must try donkey burger, also known as “donkey burger”, associated with the famous saying: “There is dragon meat in the heaven, and donkey meat on the ground” (天上龙肉，地上驴肉). This is a unique specialty, with a crispy huǒshāo crust and a layer of soft donkey meat inside.

Visitors can choose to eat donkey burgers in two styles, depending on the origin of the preparation. In Baoding, people use hot donkey meat in round buns, while in Hejian, people use rectangular buns and cold donkey meat. Don’t forget to eat it with green chili and coriander, to experience the unique and interesting flavor.

Donkey burgers are now sold in both popular eateries and luxury restaurants in Beijing. For example, food stalls on Niujie Street, or Wang Pangzi restaurant with prices of only about 15-20 CNY/piece.

Beijing-style Iron Grilled Meat

“Zhizi” grilled meat is famous for its special grilling technique, bringing a rich and unmistakable flavor. Instead of grilling on a regular charcoal fire, halal beef or lamb is placed on an iron grill made of metal bars, helping the meat to drain fat and cook evenly. The interesting thing is that people use aromatic woods such as pine, jujube and pear to spread the characteristic aroma when grilling.

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Thanks to that, diners can feel the softness and natural sweetness of the grilled meat, the freshness of raw vegetables such as green onions and coriander. In addition, Beijing grilled meat is also served with fresh garlic, to enhance the flavor.

The “number one” destination for Beijing grilled meat lovers can be Houwei Ju Old Beijing Zhizi Barbecue, located in West Street, Xicheng District. The average cost is about 120 yuan/person.

Beijing-style Crispy and Chewy Poached Tripe

If you want to experience a new flavor, poached tripe is another famous dish to try when coming to Beijing. The main ingredient is beef or lamb tripe, which is cleaned and blanched in boiling water over high heat, then removed and dipped in sesame sauce, vinegar, chili oil, tofu soup, coriander powder and many other spices.

The key to perfecting the dish is that the chef must accurately poach the tripe – just a few seconds too fast or too slow will affect the softness and crispness of the tripe. The spices served with the tripe, such as green onions and boiled cabbage, further enhance the rich yet light flavor.

This dish is not only delicious but also has many health benefits, helping to reduce fatigue and balance nutrition. When traveling to Beijing, you will see many local eateries serving tripe at affordable prices.

Beijing-Style Fried Long Buns

The fried long buns, also known as “Dalian Huoshao,” have been a popular snack for Beijingers since 1876. With a crispy outer shell and a filling of minced pork and soft, sweet vegetables inside, the fried long buns are irresistibly delicious, especially when they are freshly fried.

The taste of fried long buns is somewhat similar to fried buns, the special thing is the deep-fried cooking method that creates a characteristic crispiness, and the different long roll shape. For tourists and locals, this is a great dish to start a new day in Beijing.

In addition to lining up to buy it every morning at the markets or small restaurants, you can go to Furongju restaurant in Dongcheng district to try the famous delicious buns for only about 3 yuan.

Beijing-style Stir-fried Shredded Potatoes

Stir-fried potato shreds (土豆丝 – tǔdòu sī) originated in Sichuan, since being introduced to Beijing, it has become a part of the street food here. Each potato shred is thinly sliced and quickly fried with green pepper and spices, bringing a characteristic sour and spicy taste. Although the ingredients are not fussy, the skillful processing helps to keep the freshness of the potatoes.

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Beijing’s own recipe is to add a little black vinegar, which adds a sour taste to the potatoes, making it difficult for diners to put down their chopsticks. This dish can be eaten hot or cold, but if you eat it right after it is prepared, you will feel the most distinct hot and fragrant stir-fried potatoes. When traveling to Beijing, stop by Shijin Yuan (十锦园), in Chaoyang District, famous for its Tudou Si for about 15 yuan each.

Beijing-Style Donkey Roll with Red Bean Paste

Don’t let the name donkey roll (驴打滚 – lǘ dǎgǔn) fool you! This is actually a sweet cake made from glutinous rice and delicious red bean paste, without any donkey meat. The name of the cake comes from the layer of soybean flour covering the outside, which looks like a donkey rolling in the sand, creating a fragrant, smooth and charming golden crust.

This pastry is not only fragrant but also has a soft, smooth texture, and the sweet taste of red bean paste. This is a favorite snack of Beijingers of all ages, especially during holidays and New Year. To taste authentic Beijing donkey rolls, visit Bai Ji Niangao (白记年糕) in Xicheng District. The reference price is about 20 yuan for 500 grams of cake, just enough to share with friends.

Tanghulu – Colorful Sugar-Coated Candied Gourds

Candied gourds (糖葫芦 – tanghúlu) are a typical snack that anyone visiting Beijing cannot miss. The bright red candies made from fruit are covered with shiny sugar, quite eye-catching and attractive. Originally, candied gourds were only made from hawthorn, now many types of fruits such as kiwi, strawberries, or even chocolate are added to enrich the flavor and color.

Eating candied fruit, you will feel the crunchiness of the sugar coating, mixed with the sweet and sour taste of each fruit inside. This is a dish that is deeply rooted in Chinese culture, and is also considered a symbol of luck and prosperity in life.

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In Beijing, visitors can easily find candied fruit stalls on the streets. The price of a skewer is only about 10 yuan, very suitable for a stroll around the city.

Sweet Pea Pudding with Green Tea

Coming to Beijing without trying yellow pea pudding (豌豆黄 wān đồu huáng) is a real mistake! This special dessert is made from pureed peas, steamed and stir-fried with syrup before cooling and cutting into small pieces. The cake is light yellow, smooth and melts in your mouth, bringing a sweet, fresh taste, suitable for an afternoon tea in spring.

According to legend, this cake was so loved by the Empress Dowager Cixi that she allowed the baker to enter the palace to serve it privately. When eating yellow pea pudding, diners can feel the meticulousness in every step, from selecting the peas to the processing stage. Here are some suggestions for places that sell the best yellow bean cake, such as Qianmen pedestrian street or Ya Er Li Ji, with prices around 15-20 CNY/portion.

Beijing-style Aiwowo steamed glutinous rice balls

Aiwowo rice ball (艾窝窝 àiwōwo) is a delicate dessert, dating back to the Ming Dynasty and served in the royal court. Aiwowo also brings a sweet taste, not too harsh thanks to the shell made from soft glutinous rice flour, surrounding the fillings such as walnuts, sesame seeds, melon seeds and red beans.

Nowadays, Aiwowo is available at many snack shops around Beijing, especially during the Lunar New Year, as locals consider it a gift symbolizing prosperity and well-being. This sweet cake is also popular in spring and autumn, when the weather is cool.

If you have the opportunity to visit Beijing, stop by Huguo Temple Snack Bar, which specializes in serving Aiwowo and many other quality traditional cakes for only 3 CNY/piece.

Bean Juice – A “Picky” Dessert in Beijing

Bean juice (豆汁 dòu zhī) is a popular drink in Beijing, made from grounded mung beans and naturally fermented. The drink has a light gray-green color, a strong sour taste and a slightly sweet aftertaste, creating a unique flavor that you will hardly find anywhere else.

Although it is not easy to drink for beginners, Beijing bean juice is worth an interesting experience for those who love to explore local cuisine. Many young people even filmed “taste challenge” videos when coming to Beijing, and shared funny expressions on social media.

If you want to experience local culture, try buying bean juice at breakfast stalls, and sip it with crispy fried dough sticks. Yao Ji Chao Gan restaurant is also a famous address for Dou zhi bean juice, priced at about 10-15 CNY/cup.

Stir-fried pork Liver

Beijing stir-fried liver is mainly made from pig intestines and its liver, a traditional dish in Beijing dating back to the Song Dynasty and with a history of hundreds of years. It is one of the top dishes in Beijing loved by diners for its unique cooking method and flavor.

This dish is made from stir-fried pig liver with chili and spices, with a fresh, soft, and spicy taste. Stir-fried liver is characterized by the fresh taste of liver and unique spices, with a rich and unique flavor. This delicacy is often found in night markets and eateries in Beijing, a delicious choice for people to relax at night.

Luzhu Huoshao – pork stew with bread

Luzhu Huoshao originated from Chengnan Street in Beijing, is a traditional snack in Beijing with main ingredients of fried dumplings, pork belly, tofu, pig offal, etc.

After cleaning, boil the small intestines and lungs over high heat for 20-30 minutes and then take them out. Knead the flour and shape them into small balls, flatten them and put them in a pan to bake until both sides are golden brown. Cut the tofu into large triangles, put them in a pan of oil and fry until golden brown. Continue to put the pig intestines, pig lungs, pork belly, green onions, ginger, star anise, cinnamon, nutmeg, pepper, chili into the pot, add water, boil over high heat, skim off the foam, then add the tofu and fried dumplings and cook for 30 minutes until the pig intestines are soft and tender. Cut the intestines into small pieces, cut the lungs and liver and beans into slices. Put all the cut parts in a large bowl, pour in the garlic water, then pour in the original soup, add coriander, if you like spicy food, drizzle with chili oil.

Fried stinky tofu (#best street food in Beijing)

For a dish that anyone who hears the name feels scared, but don’t be in a hurry because when you eat it, you will be very surprised, the tofu is mashed and mixed with ingredients such as carrots, sausages, delicious and crispy, but also nutritious.

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stinky tofu — Stinky tofu street food stall | must eat in beijing

Liu Sha Bao (Molten Custard Salted Egg Buns) (#must eat in beijing)

Liu Sha Bao is a famous specialty in China and is loved by many people because of the soft, spongy cake with a sweet and salty taste of salted eggs and condensed milk, … The taste is unmistakable.

Century eggs

Preparing Century Egg in a Taiwan restaurant — Preparing Century Egg in a restaurant | must eat in beijing

Preserved eggs are a wonderful dish and appear in almost every Chinese meal, the eggs are incubated for a long time so they have a very strange shape, the outside of the egg is orange or dark brown and the inside of the yolk is emerald. But thanks to the very different salty taste it gives a wonderful feeling.

Beijing cuisine is a unique combination Between tradition and refined taste, offering visitors countless unforgettable culinary experiences. From refreshing yellow bean cakes to the unique sourness of Beijing bean soup, each dish reflects the characteristics of Chinese culture through meticulous preparation and rich flavor.

The post first appeared on Klook Vietnam and was translated and edited by Living Nomads. If you find any images or text that belong to you, please contact us, so we can credit you or give us permission to use them. Thank you very much!