Welcome to the bustling streets of Beijing, where centuries of culinary tradition and modern innovation converge to create a vibrant street food culture. From savory delicacies like jianbing to sweet treats like bingtanghulu, Beijing offers a tantalizing array of flavors waiting to be explored. Join us on a gastronomic journey through the heart of China’s capital, where every bite tells a story of tradition, creativity, and culinary excellence. Get ready to indulge your senses and experience the rich tapestry of Beijing’s street food scene.
25 Street Foods to Eat in Beijing
1. Jianbing (煎饼)
- A savory Chinese crepe made from a thin batter of wheat and mung bean flour, filled with egg, scallions, cilantro, and crispy fried wonton wrapper, then folded and served with chili sauce.
2. Baozi (包子)
- Steamed buns are filled with various savory fillings like minced pork, beef, vegetables, or sweet fillings like red bean paste or lotus seed paste.
3. Zhájiàngmiàn (炸酱面)
- Hand-pulled noodles served with a savory and slightly sweet fermented soybean paste sauce, topped with shredded cucumber, bean sprouts, and julienne vegetables.
4. Ròujiāmó (肉夹馍)
- Chinese-style pulled pork sandwich made with tender braised pork belly stuffed inside a freshly baked bun.
5. Lamb Skewers (羊肉串)
- Grilled skewers of marinated lamb meat seasoned with cumin, chili powder, and other spices, a popular street food especially in the Muslim Quarter.
6. Stinky Tofu (臭豆腐)
- Fermented tofu with a strong odor, deep-fried and served with chili sauce and pickled vegetables, popular among adventurous eaters.
7. Dòuhuā (豆花)
- Silken tofu pudding served with a sweet syrup made from sugar or ginger, sometimes topped with peanuts or red beans.
8. Bingtanghulu (冰糖葫芦)
- Skewered fruits (often hawthorn berries) coated in a crispy layer of hardened sugar syrup, creating a sweet and tangy treat.
9. Jiaozi (饺子)
- Boiled dumplings filled with meat, seafood, or vegetables, typically served with soy sauce and vinegar.
10. Liangpi (凉皮)
Cold, chewy noodles made from wheat or rice flour, served with chili oil, vinegar, garlic, and sometimes vegetables.
11. Malatang (麻辣烫)
A spicy Sichuan-style hot pot soup filled with various ingredients like meatballs, vegetables, tofu, and noodles, chosen by the customer and cooked in a flavorful broth.
12. Youtiao (油条)
Deep-fried dough sticks, often eaten for breakfast or as a snack, served plain or with sweet soy milk.
13. Guokui (锅盔)
Crispy and flaky Chinese flatbread filled with savory ingredients like shredded pork, pickled vegetables, and chili paste.
14. Cong You Bing (葱油饼)
Flaky and crispy green onion pancakes often enjoyed as a breakfast item or a savory snack.
15. Dunhuang Tianshan Roumo (敦煌天山肉馍)
A savory meat sandwich from the Xinjiang region, filled with sliced lamb, vegetables, and a spicy sauce, wrapped in a naan-like flatbread.
16. Zòngzi (粽子)
Sticky rice dumplings filled with ingredients like pork, mushrooms, and salted egg yolk, wrapped in bamboo leaves and steamed.
17. Bai Tang Gao (百糖糕)
A steamed rice cake made with glutinous rice flour and sugar, sometimes flavored with osmanthus flowers or red bean paste.
18. Chaogan (炒肝)
Stir-fried pig liver and intestines seasoned with soy sauce, garlic, and chili, served with steamed buns or rice.
19. Chuan (串)
Skewers of various meats, vegetables, and tofu, grilled over charcoal and seasoned with spices and sauces.
20. Dànbǐng (蛋饼)
A Beijing-style pancake made from a thin layer of egg batter, often filled with crispy fried wonton wrapper, cilantro, scallions, and chili sauce.
21. Baiye Tofu (百叶豆腐)
Sheets of tofu skin stuffed with a mixture of minced pork and vegetables, then steamed and sliced, often served cold with soy sauce.
22. Fried Scorpion (炸蝎子)
Deep-fried scorpions on skewers, a popular novelty street food in Beijing’s Wangfujing Snack Street.
23. Suanmeitang (酸梅汤)
A sweet and sour plum drink made from preserved plums and sour plum juice, served cold as a refreshing beverage.
24. Baodu (爆肚)
Boiled tripe and beef offal served with a spicy chili sauce, a favorite street food among locals.
25. Zǔxiāng Gāo (族香糕)
A sticky rice cake steamed in a bamboo tube, often filled with sweet or savory ingredients like red bean paste or minced meat.
These mouthwatering street foods offer a glimpse into the culinary diversity and cultural richness of Beijing, making it a paradise for food enthusiasts and adventurous eaters alike. Enjoy exploring the flavors of Beijing’s vibrant street food scene!
