As the capital of China, Beijing boasts a rich and diverse culinary culture. The following are some representative Beijing specialties:
Beijing Roast Duck
Introduction: Beijing Roast Duck is renowned worldwide for its bright red color, fatty but not greasy meat, and crispy exterior and tender interior.
Feature: The carefully selected stuffed ducks undergo a unique fruit wood roasting process. The duck skin is roasted until golden and crispy, and the duck meat is tender and juicy.
Recommended restaurants: Quanjude, Da Dong Roast Duck Restaurant, Bianyifang, ฯลฯ.
2. Old Beijing Fried Sauce Noodles
Introduction: Fried sauce noodles are a favorite of Beijingers and a typical representative of Beijing’s culinary culture.
Features: The hand-made noodles are chewy and elastic, paired with a unique fried sauce (made from diced pork belly, yellow bean paste, sweet bean paste and other seasonings, slowly simmered over low heat), and served with shredded cucumbers, bean sprouts, shredded radishes and other ingredients, making it salty, fragrant and delicious.
Recommended restaurants: Haiwanju, Old Beijing Fried Sauce Noodle King, ฯลฯ.
3. Red bean paste with char ring
Introduction: Douzhi ‘er is a distinctive drink among Beijing snacks, and Jiaoquan is a classic snack that pairs well with Douzhi ‘er.
Feature: Douzhi ‘er is made from mung beans through fermentation. It has a sour and slightly spoiled taste, with a unique flavor. The coke ring is shaped like a bracelet and is golden and crispy.
Recommended restaurants: Huguo Temple Snacks, Lao Ciqikou Douzhi Shop, ฯลฯ.
4. Donkey rolling around
Introduction: Donkey Roll is a traditional snack suitable for people of all ages.
Feature: It is made by steaming glutinous rice flour, coating it with red bean paste filling, and then sprinkling it with yellow bean flour. It has a golden appearance and a soft, glutinous and sweet taste.
Recommended restaurants: Huguo Temple Snacks, Old Beijing Snacks Shop, ฯลฯ.
5. Braise and simmer over fire
Introduction: Luzhu Huoshao is a traditional street snack in Beijing.
Features: With pig intestines, pig lungs and other internal organs as the main ingredients, it is served with fire (a kind of noodle food) and braising sauce. The flavor is rich and the ingredients are well-flavored.
Recommended restaurants: Xiaochangchen, Yaoji Fried Liver Restaurant, ฯลฯ.
6. Ai Wowo
Introduction: Ai Wowo is a traditional Beijing-style snack with a long history.
Feature: The outer skin is made by steaming glutinous rice, which is soft, glutinous and sticky. The filling is mainly made of walnut kernels, sesame seeds, melon seeds, and yam puree, ฯลฯ. It has a rich taste and is sweet but not greasy.
Recommended restaurants: Huguo Temple Snacks, Old Beijing Snacks Shop, ฯลฯ.
7. Fried liver
Introduction: Fried liver is a characteristic breakfast in Beijing.
Features: With pork liver and pork intestines as the main ingredients, after stir-frying, minced garlic, soy sauce and other seasonings are added. The taste is rich and mellow, with tender liver and fragrant intestines.
Recommended restaurants: Yao Ji Fried Liver Restaurant, Tianxingju, ฯลฯ.
8. Bloating
Introduction: Bao Du is a traditional snack in Beijing, with beef tripe as the main ingredient.
Feature: After being cooked, the beef tripe has a crispy and tender texture. Paired with specially made sesame paste and other seasonings, it tastes delicious.
Recommended restaurants: Bao Du Feng, Lao Beijing Bao Du Restaurant, ฯลฯ.
9. Burn sugar
Introduction: Sugar-baked buns are one of the favorite breakfasts for people in Beijing.
Feature: It is made by spreading sesame paste, brown sugar and other ingredients on the thin pancake, forming the pancake dough and then baking it. The outer layer is crispy and the filling is soft, sweet but not greasy.
Recommended restaurants: Huguo Temple Snacks, Dashunzhai, ฯลฯ.
10. Pea yellow
Introduction: Pea yellow is a traditional dessert in Beijing.
Features: Made mainly from peas, it undergoes processes such as boiling and shaping, with a delicate texture and a sweet and delicious taste.
Recommended restaurants: Huguo Temple Snacks, Old Beijing Snacks Shop, ฯลฯ.
In addition, Beijing offers a variety of local specialties such as hot pot mutton, sesame tofu, tea soup, stir-fried dumplings, door nail meat patties, fried sausages and sugar ears. Each of them carries the history and culture of the city and is worth a try. When traveling in Beijing, it’s a good idea to visit local restaurants and snack bars, taste these delicious dishes yourself and experience the profound culinary culture of Beijing.
