[Beijing Food Ranking] 12 Must-Try Local Delicacies and Snacks in Beijing for Tourists

Beijing is a melting pot of culinary gems from all over China, renowned for its unique flavors and diverse array of snacks. Each dish is made with carefully selected ingredients and meticulously prepared, creating a paradise for food lovers. Therefore, a trip to Beijing is not only a visual feast but also an ultimate indulgence for the taste buds. To ensure your Beijing culinary journey is unforgettable, this article carefully selects 12 beloved local specialties and snacks, allowing you to deeply savor the authentic flavors of Beijing.

TOP1  Peking Duck

How can you come to Beijing and not try Peking duck? It's one of China's most classic dishes and a signature dish of Beijing, renowned both domestically and internationally for its crispy skin and tender, flavorful duck meat. After marinating, the Peking duck is slowly roasted in a special oven, allowing the fat beneath the skin to fully render out, forming a crispy outer layer. To eat, wrap the crispy skin and a small amount of duck meat in a thin pancake, then serve with a rich sweet bean sauce, refreshing scallions, and crisp cucumber strips—a truly unique experience. We recommend trying it at century-old establishments like Quanjude and Bianyifang; you're unlikely to be disappointed.

Beijing Cuisine - Peking Duck

TOP2  Zha Jiang Mian (noodles with soybean paste)

Zhajiangmian (noodles with soybean paste) is a traditional Beijing home-style noodle dish, beloved for its rich, savory sauce. The essence of Zhajiangmian lies in a spoonful of carefully prepared soybean paste—a perfect blend of diced pork and yellow soybean paste, simmered slowly in a pot until fragrant, rich, and not greasy. Then, it is poured over cooked noodles, mixed well so that every noodle is coated with the sauce, and served with crisp cucumber shreds, tender bean sprouts, refreshing carrot shreds, and other fresh vegetables, making it extremely delicious.

Beijing cuisine - Zha Jiang Mian (noodles with soybean paste)

TOP3  Hot Pot Lamb

Hot pot lamb is an indispensable part of Beijing's winter cuisine, renowned for its tender lamb slices and abundant dipping sauces. Preparation is simple: just thinly slice fresh lamb and various vegetables, tofu, and other side dishes. To eat, gently cook the lamb slices in a boiling copper pot, then dip them in sesame paste, chive blossom sauce, and other condiments. The result is a delicious, heartwarming, and unforgettable experience.

Beijing Cuisine - Hot Pot Lamb

TOP4  Donkey Rolling

Donkey Rolling is a traditional Beijing snack made primarily from glutinous rice. After careful steaming, it achieves a soft, chewy, and sweet texture that is not greasy. The preparation process is relatively simple: steamed glutinous rice is rolled into a strip with red bean paste filling, then sprinkled with soybean flour. It gets its name from its resemblance to a donkey rolling on the ground. Not only is Donkey Rolling delicious, it also possesses a strong local flavor, making it a common dessert for Beijingers, enjoyed by both children and the elderly.

Beijing Cuisine - Donkey Roll

TOP5  Soy Milk

Douzhi, a traditional beverage unique to Beijing, has a distinctive flavor. Made from fermented mung beans, it has a tangy and slightly astringent taste. It's typically eaten with crispy fried dough rings, refreshing pickled vegetables, or soft, chewy sesame balls, creating a rich and complex flavor profile. It's a classic breakfast combination for Beijingers. While the initial smell of douzhi might be difficult to accept, for those accustomed to its flavor, it's an indispensable part of Beijing's breakfast table, symbolizing the city's vibrant street culture and unique historical memory. Therefore, when traveling to Beijing, be sure to try the uniquely flavored douzhi.

Beijing cuisine - Douzhi (fermented mung bean juice)

TOP6  Braised Offal

Braised pork offal is a classic Beijing dish, made primarily with pork offal, tofu, and baked flatbread. It's slow-cooked over a long period, resulting in a rich and delicious flavor that's beloved by old Beijingers. When served with chili oil, minced garlic, and other condiments, the taste is even more complex, making it the perfect way to experience authentic Beijing flavor. Originating from the streets of old Beijing, this dish is not only a delicious street food but also a testament to the city's vibrant culture.

TOP7  Fried Liver

Fried liver is a unique Beijing delicacy. Despite its name, it's actually a soup. Made primarily with pork liver and intestines, thickened with cornstarch, seasoned, and simmered over low heat, it's flavorful and has a rich, thick broth. It's typically eaten for breakfast or as a light snack, often paired with crispy fried dough rings for an unparalleled taste. A common traditional snack found on the streets of Beijing, fried liver is not only a satisfying treat but also a cultural symbol, reflecting the unique understanding of food among old Beijingers.

TOP8  Noodle Tea

Millet porridge is a traditional Beijing snack made primarily from millet flour. It has a delicate texture and a fragrant aroma. To make it, millet flour is mixed with water to form a paste, which is then heated and solidified into a thick, rich porridge. Finally, it is sprinkled with sesame salt, giving it a unique flavor. It is a top choice for breakfast for many Beijingers, who enjoy its rich taste by scooping it up spoonful by spoonful.

Beijing Cuisine - Miancha (Miancha)

TOP9  Grilled Meat

Grilled mutton on a griddle is a quintessential Beijing-style barbecue. It features thinly sliced ​​mutton as the main ingredient, marinated with simple seasonings, and then grilled on a griddle. It can be eaten while grilling, offering a delicious and juicy flavor. Dipping it in minced garlic, soy sauce, and other condiments enhances the taste even further. Grilled mutton on a griddle is not only a tasty treat but also a popular choice for gatherings with friends, reflecting Beijingers' love of life and their appreciation for fine food.

Beijing Cuisine - Grilled Meat on a Hot Plate

TOP10  Dalian Huoshao

Dalian Huoshao is a unique Beijing snack, named for its resemblance to a bag. The seasoned meat filling is wrapped in a soft dough, gently pressed into shape, and then pan-fried over low heat until golden brown. The outer layer is crispy, while the inside is juicy and flavorful, with the rich aroma of pork or beef creating an irresistible and delicious taste.

Beijing Cuisine - Dalian Huoshao

TOP11  Lamb Spine Hot Pot

Lamb spine hot pot is a signature dish of Beijing. It's made by slow-cooking carefully selected lamb spine until the meat is tender and the broth is rich and flavorful, offering nourishing and beautifying benefits. Named for its scorpion-like shape, lamb spine is rich in collagen and beneficial for both body and mind. It's typically enjoyed around a pot, with the stewed lamb spine poured into a boiling broth, accompanied by various seasonal vegetables, tofu, and other ingredients, then dipped in a secret sauce for an enhanced flavor. It's the perfect choice for warming up in winter or gathering with friends, showcasing the authentic charm of Beijing.

TOP12  Tripe

Baodu is a traditional Beijing halal snack, made primarily from beef or mutton tripe. The tripe is quickly blanched in boiling water to lock in its freshness and achieve a crisp texture, then quickly stir-fried until tender and crunchy. It's served with sesame paste, vinegar, chili oil, and other condiments for a delicious flavor. As a genuine old Beijing snack, baodu is not only a sensory delight but also a testament to the preservation of traditional culinary techniques, making it a favorite among locals and tourists alike.

Beijing Cuisine - Fried Tripe

These are 12 popular Beijing local delicacies and snacks, must-try foods for tourists visiting Beijing. Besides these, there are also exquisitely prepared imperial dishes, sweet and sour candied hawthorn skewers, soft and sweet Aiwowo (glutinous rice cake), refreshing pea flour cake, and crispy and sweet ginger-flavored fried dough twists, all well worth trying. To sample these Beijing delicacies, head to famous food streets like Nanluoguxiang, Wangfujing Snack Street, Niujie, and Qianmen Street – excellent places to discover and enjoy Beijing's culinary delights. Finally, if you're already intrigued after reading these Beijing food recommendations, feel free to contact us to customize your Beijing travel itinerary and enjoy a double feast of food and culture!