Savor the Streets of China with Every Bite
China’s busy streets hold a gastronomic adventure as vibrant as the culture of the country itself. From the scorch of the grills to the fragrant steamers, every nook is inviting you to experience the unforgettable. Come with me and discover the country’s most sought-after street food discoveries you have to experience once in your lifetime.
Jianbing – The Delicious Breakfast Street Food
If you walk by a Chinese city in the early morning streets, there are fair opportunities you’ll see vendors industriously assembling jianbing, the ubiquitous breakfast crepe. Prepared by spreading a thin layer of batter on a hot griddle, it is stuffed with egg, salty sauces, scallions, cilantro, and in various versions a crispy fried cracker for added crunch. The crunch and softness and tart-sweet tastes together create a soothing but invigorating morning stimulant. Grab-and-go snack and into the daily life of China, the popular snack is gobbled throughout the country.
Roujiamo – The Traditional Chinese Meat Sandwich
Better known as the “Chinese hamburger,” the roujiamo dates back to the Qin Dynasty. The finger food, slow-cooked pork (beef and sometimes lamb) encased in soft, chewy flatbread crispy on the outside and light on the inside and so easily absorbs the juices of the meat. Depending on the region, you might encounter variations with spicier seasoning or herbs, each telling its own culinary story.
Tanghulu – Candiness on Stick
Vibrantly colored sticks of tanghulu are a spot of color on Chinese streets throughout any season of the year, but particularly in the wintrier months. Traditional versions consist of the hawthorn berries wrapped in a lustrous sheet of caramelized sugar, providing a pleasant crunch and a tart burst of acidity from the fruit. Modern versions sub in strawberries, grapes, or even tiny tomatoes. It’s a tasty snack providing a combination of sweet and sour tastes and one to which any sugar aficionado must indulge.
Stinky Tofu - The Bold Snack for the Bold
Its name may evoke a skeptical eyebrow but stinky tofu is the delight of the pungency lovers of taste. Fried crispy and topped with chili hotspot, with garlic and pickle vegetations, fermented tofu carries the famously pungent odor but surprisingly light and delicate in taste, crispy on the inside and out and smooth in the inside. During nighttime markets in such cities as Taipei and Changsha, the street cuisine draws the long-waiting lines of devout devotees.
Shaokao – Late-Night BBQ Experience
Chinese barbecue, shaokao, is a night ritual. Parts of meat and fish and vegetable kebabs are sprinkled with chili powder, cumin, and other spices and grilled on an open fire. The scent of smoke is mixed with the giggles of friends getting together in the outdoor seating to eat so that the food is half socialization and half cuisine. There are variations based on place—Xinjiang lamb kebabs, for instance, are specially renowned for being spicy and classy.
Xiaolongbao – Soupy Bites of Perfection
Xiaolongbao is a masterpiece of culinary art that is a light, steamed dumpling stuffed with good broth and minced pig. They are the small parcels made in Jiangnan that must be eaten with care--bite out a small hole, then drink the hot soup, and then the dumpling itself. Tender wrapper, thick broth and full of flavor filling are the reasons why they are an immediate hit among many travelers.
Jian Dui – Golden Sesame Balls
Crispy outside and chewy inside, filled with sugared red bean paste, jian dui is a sesame-coated deep-fried sticky rice ball. They are best consumed during special occasions due to their spherical shape, implying harmony and happiness. The subtle sweetness and nutty flavor of the sesame seeds are a beautiful tantalizing treat when paired with tea or coffee.
Luosifen - The Divisively Delicioso Noodle Soup
Originating from Liuzhou in Guangxi, luosifen is spicy noodle soup which is renowned for its stinky smell of fermented bamboo shoots. Accompanied with rice noodles, peanuts, and tofu skin, among spicy river snail-based broth, it’s a bowl with contrasting textures and bold flavors. Although the smell may not so easily come to the person who is not from the inside, most people find the dish highly addictive after the first few spoons.
