Beijing is a city rich in history, culture, and, of course, food. If you’re a foodie or simply looking to experience the authentic taste of Beijing, exploring the city’s famous snack streets is a must! These vibrant food streets offer a wide range of traditional dishes, from crispy Peking Duck to sweet treats and savory snacks. Here’s a guide to 5 of the most iconic food streets in Beijing, each offering a unique experience and the best of local delicacies.
1. Qianmen Street (前门大街)
- Location: Southwest of the intersection of Changxiang Er Tiao and Changxiang San Tiao, Dongcheng District
- Metro: Take Line 7, exit A at Zhushikou Station
- Si Ji Min Fu (四季民福) – Peking Duck, Honey-glazed Crispy Shrimp (蜜汁酥皮虾) (Avg. 164 CNY)
- Fangzhuanchang 69 Zhajiangmian (方砖厂69号炸酱面) – Zhajiangmian (Fried Sauce Noodles) (炸酱面) (Avg. 49 CNY)
- Huguo Temple Snacks (护国寺小吃) – Pea Flour Cake (豌豆黄), Creamy Fried Cake (奶油炸糕), Noodle Tea (面茶) (Avg. 24 CNY)
- Dong Lai Shun Fan Zhuang (东来顺饭庄) – Hand-cut Fresh Beef (手切鲜牛肉), Premium Fatty Beef (极品肥牛) (Avg. 165 CNY)
- Menkuang Hutong Ba Nian Lu Zhu (门框胡同百年卤煮) – Lu Zhu (Boiled Pork Entrails) (卤煮), Fried Sausages (炸灌肠) (Avg. 47 CNY)
- Wu Yutai (吴裕泰) – Matcha Ice Cream (抹茶冰激凌), Jasmine Tea Ice Cream (茉莉花茶冰激凌) (Avg. 15 CNY)
- Yin San Douzhi (尹三豆汁) – Mung Bean Milk with Fried Rings (豆汁焦圈), Old Beijing Yogurt (老北京奶皮子酸奶) (Avg. 37 CNY)
2. Niujie Street (牛街)
- Location: 96 Yimin Alley, Xicheng District
- Metro: Line 19, Niujie Station, or Line 7, Guanganmen Inner Station
- Jubao Yuan Copper Pot Hotpot (聚宝源铜锅涮肉) – Snowflake Lamb (京城飘雪), High-calcium Lamb (高钙羊肉), Premium Lamb Skirt (上脑), One-Piece Pastry (一品烧饼), Lamb Skewers (羊肉串), Sugar Garlic (糖蒜) (Avg. 103 CNY)
- Hong Ji Snacks (洪记小吃) – Steamed Buns (包子), Fried Cakes (炸糕), Cooked Foods (熟食) (Avg. 28 CNY)
- Bai Ji Nian Gao (白记年糕) – Donkey Roll (驴打滚), Ai Wo Wo (艾窝窝), Pea Flour Cake (豌豆黄), Rice Cakes (江米年糕) (Avg. 33 CNY)
- Yi Bao He Ye Zeng Gao (伊宝荷叶甑糕) – Lotus Leaf Rice Cake (荷叶甑糕) (Avg. 30 CNY)
- Gong Ting Xiang Su Niu Rou Bing (宫廷香酥牛肉饼) – Crispy Beef Pie (香酥牛肉饼) (Avg. 12 CNY)
3. Gui Street (簋街)
- Location: 5-11 Dongzhimen Dajie, Dongcheng District
- Metro: Line 5, Beixinqiao Station, Exit C
- Longfu Temple Snacks (隆福寺小吃店) – Sugar Fire Cake (糖火烧), Donkey Roll (驴打滚) (Avg. 28 CNY)
- Hu Da Restaurant (胡大饭店) – Spicy Crawfish (麻辣小龙虾), Bullfrog (牛蛙) (Avg. 135 CNY)
- Beiping Sanxiong Brothers Hotpot (北平三兄弟涮肉) – Lamb (羊上脑), Hand-cut Three-way Meat (手切三叉) (Avg. 156 CNY)
- Dongxing Lou (东兴楼) – Braised Sea Cucumber with Scallions (葱烧海参), Chicken in Egg White (芙蓉鸡片) (Avg. 116 CNY)
- Hua Jia Yi Yuan (花家怡园) – Peking Duck, Kung Pao Chicken (宫保鸡丁) (Avg. 140 CNY)
4. Yonghegong Street (雍和宫大街)
- Location: Dongzhimen, Dongcheng District
- Metro: Line 2 or Line 5, Yonghegong Station, Exit F
- Yonghe Fried Chicken Pie (雍和炸鸡烧饼) – Fried Chicken Leg (炸鸡腿), Baked Pie (烧饼) (Avg. 15 CNY)
- Xin He Xiao Guan (新和小馆) – Sweet and Sour Pork (糖醋里脊), Potstickers (锅贴) (Avg. 60 CNY)
- Tianxing Ju (天兴居) – Fried Liver (炒肝), Steamed Buns (包子) (Avg. 28 CNY)
- Kao Rou Wan (烤肉宛) – Grilled Beef (烤牛肉), Sesame Flatbread (麻酱烧饼) (Avg. 134 CNY)
- Beixinqiao Grilled Squid (北新桥烤鱿鱼) – Grilled Squid (烤鱿鱼), Stinky Tofu (臭豆腐), Grilled Kidneys (大腰子) (Avg. 67 CNY)
- Fat Sister Noodle House (胖妹面庄) – Zha Mian (Noodles with Mixed Sauces) (碗杂面), Fried Intestine Noodles (肥肠面), Wolf Tooth Potatoes (狼牙土豆) (Avg. 57 CNY)
5. Shichahai Area (什刹海)
- Location: Xicheng District, Qianhai West Street
- Metro: Line 8, Shichahai Station, Exit A1 (Northwest Entrance)
- Nanmen Shuan Rou (南门涮肉) – Snowflake Fatty Beef (极品雪花肥牛), Lamb Meat (羔羊肉) (Avg. 98 CNY)
- Wenyu Cheesecake (文宇奶酪) – Red Bean Paste Milk Roll (豆沙奶卷), Double-skin Milk (双皮奶) (Avg. 20 CNY)
- Yao Ji Chao Gan (姚记炒肝) – Fried Liver (炒肝), Fried Sausages (炸灌肠) (Avg. 32 CNY)
- Ya’er Li Ji (鸦儿李记) – Lamb Spine (羊蝎子), Grilled Meat (烤肉) (Avg. 55 CNY)
- Old Beijing Candied Hawthorn (老北京冰糖葫芦)
- Old Beijing Boiled Pork Offal (老北京爆肚)