Local snacks are a special feature of Beijing. Tourists can taste
not only the local Beijing flavors, but those of other regions
as well. Snack-stalls in the night markets are always popular
and busy destinations.
Donghuamen Snack Night Market
Chinese
name: 东华门夜市(dōng huá mén yè shì)
By following the wafting aroma of cooking, tourists can find the
most natural and simple flavors of Old Beijing in the street.
Located at the northern entrance of Wangfujing Street, Donghuamen
Night Market is the most famous snack street in Beijing, popular
with both locals and tourists as well. After its pedestrianization,
Donghuamen Snack Night Market became the No. 1 snack street in
Beijing. When the night falls, the assortment of tasty treats
from both northern and southern China, plus the bustling crowds
and the rhythmical huckstering is another attraction in Beijing
you shouldn't miss.
Location: north of Donganmen Street, Dongcheng District
Bus Route: 10, 20, 37, 41, 59, 103, 104, 120, 201, 203, 205, 803
Gui Street
Chinese name: 簋街(guǐ jiē)
Most restaurants in the street are open around the clock. If you
are a night owl, Gui Street in Dongzhi Gate, is a good place to
spend until the wee hours of the morning. The late hours of the
night are usually the busiest times on this street, whose specialty
is Spicy Lobster. Picture yourself sitting in an old chair inside
an ancient courtyard house under the grapevines appreciating photos
from long-ago but most important savor the aroma and taste of the
succulent dishes.
Location: Dongzhimennei Dajie, Dongcheng District
Bus Route: 106, 116, 807 (get off at Xinqiao (North) Stop), 606,
713 (get off at Dongzhimennei Xiaojie Stop)
Wangfujing Snack Street
Chinese name: 王府井小吃街(wáng fǔ jǐng xiǎo chī jiē)
A dazzling array of snacks from all corners of China can be found
here. The majority of diners here are foreign, and the cost is
not low. However, for a comfortable and relaxing meal, Xin Dong
An Restaurant comes highly recommended.
Location: south of Haoyou Department Store, Wangfujing Business
Street, Dongcheng District
Bus Route: 20, 37, 41, 59, 103, 104, 120, 420, 802 (get off at
Wangfujing Stop)
Longfusi Snack Street
Chinese
name: 隆福寺小吃街(lóng fú sì xiǎo chī jiē)
This street is also famed for its Beijing local snacks. Bai Kui
Lao Hao, a Muslim restaurant, is recommended for its authentic
Beijing fare.
Location: north of Dongsi Longfu Mansion, Dongcheng District
Bus Route: 104, 108, 210, 803 (get off at Art Gallery (North)
Stop)
Niu Jie Muslim Snack Street
Chinese name: 牛街(niú jiē)
Niu Jie Muslim Street occupies an area about 35.9 hectares (88.7
acres). There are people from over 20 minority groups living in
the street. Hui make up the greater part of that. The largest and
oldest mosque — Niu Jie Mosque is located here. Everything is heavy
with the exotic flavor of our minority groups. So is the food. The
famous Turpan Restaurant offers visitors genuine Uygur food.
Location: Guanganmen, Xuanwu District
Bus Route: 53, 61, 109, 822 (get off at Niu Jie Stop)
Qianmen Snack Street
Chinese name: 前门小吃街(qián mén xiǎo chī jiē)
There are a number of time-honored restaurants in Qianmen Street,
including Quanjude Roast Duck, Duyichu Shaomai and Yitiaolong Restaurant.
Bus Route: 2, 5, 17, 22, 44, 110, 120, 201, 826 (get off at Qianmen
Stop)
Guanganmen Snack Street
Chinese name: 广安门小吃街(guǎng ān mén xiǎo chī jiē)
Starting from Liuliqiao in west to Hufangqiao in east, Guanganmen
Snack Street is the only snack street in the southern part of the
city. Known for its hot and spicy flavor, Sichuan cuisine is a specialty
of this street. Li Lao Die Xiang La Xie (Father Li Hot Crab) and
Tan Yu Tou (Fish Head Tan) are special favorites with customers.
Bus Route: 5, 6, 19, 109, 201, 816 (get off at Baiguang Road Stop)
Shichahai Snack Street
Chinese
name: 什刹海小吃一条街(shí chà hǎi xiǎo chī yī tiáo jiē)
The most popular snack street in Beijing, day or night it is filled
with throngs people busily coming and going and partaking of the
fare. In addition to the traditional local snack shops, there
are many famous chain restaurants such as Starbucks here.
Bus Route: 5, 819, 839 (get off at Guozishi Stop)
Hao Yun Jie (Good Luck Entertainment Street)
Chinese name: 好运街(hǎo yùn jiē)
Lying in the Yansha Business Circle, Chaoyang District, Hao Yun
Jie is a special entertainment street fulfilled with the exotic.
The street combines 'fast food' snack outlets as well as restaurant-style
delicacies, bars and art all together, perfectly forming an 'international
dining mall' worthy of the name. There are over 20 international
chain restaurants gathered here, offering diners genuine foreign
cuisine. After dinner, the art galleries are just a stroll away.
Bus Route: 420, 701, 419 (get off at Anjialou Stop)
Suzhou Jie Entertainment Street
Chinese name: 苏州街(sū zhōu jiē)
Situated between Suzhouqiao and Haidianqiao, Suzhou Jie Entertainment
Street is a recent development and has risen rapidly in popularity.
Now, it can be mentioned in the same breath with Gui Jie. It gains
its high reputation from deep culture deposits. The traditional
garden style restaurant predominates here.
Bus Route: 944, 809, 651, 968 (get off at Wanquanzhuang Stop)