Top Places to Indulge in Delicious Street Food in Beijing, China

1. Wangfujing Snack Street (王府井小吃街)

Located near the famous shopping district of Wangfujing, this bustling street offers a wide variety of exotic and authentic Chinese street food. Be prepared to try delicacies like scorpions, starfish, and stinky tofu, but don’t worry; there are also more familiar dishes like skewered meats, jiaozi (dumplings), and zongzi (sticky rice wrapped in bamboo leaves).

2. Dongsi Shitiao (东四食条)

A narrow alleyway in the Dongcheng district, Dongsi Shitiao is home to numerous small eateries serving traditional Beijing snacks. Here, you can savor local specialties such as guoza (Beijing-style dumplings), liangpi (cold noodles), and chuan’er (grilled corn on the cob).

3. Quanjude (全聚德)

Quanjude is a famous Beijing roast duck restaurant with multiple locations across the city, but its original branch in Dongcheng is a must-visit. This iconic eatery has been serving up crispy, flavorful Peking Duck for over 130 years. Don’t forget to try their signature dish with thin pancakes, scallions, and sweet bean sauce.

4. Nanluoguxiang (南锣鼓巷)

This picturesque hutong area in the Chaoyang district is not only a popular tourist destination but also home to numerous street food vendors. Sample local snacks like jiankui (crispy crepes), caojiaomian (flatbread stuffed with vegetables or meat), and yangrou paomo (shredded flatbread soaked in lamb soup).

5. Liulichang (柳立城)

This historic district in Xicheng is known for its antique stores, but it’s also a great place to find street food. Snack on traditional Beijing sweets like nian gao (sticky rice cake), tao sha bing (sesame seed cakes), and liang fen (cold bean vermicelli).