What to eat

The local food in Qinhuangdao has its roots in Hebei Cuisine (also known as Ji Cuisine). Dishes are cooked using local meat and vegetable produce, and are usually accompanied by a starchy sauce. Foods are generally salty, with great attention paid to the cuts of the meat. Due to its location on the coast of the Bohai Sea, seafood features heavily in Qinhuangdao cuisine.

Naturally, flavors from outside the Shanhaiguan Pass have also made their way onto local menus; Cantonese, Sichuanese, Moslem, vegetarian, Japanese and Korean dishes, as well as western and fast foods are now found in the region. This has allowed the food-loving locals to enjoy new foods while also providing a greater choice for travelers.

Local Speciality Snacks

Roasted Prawn - Served in both Chinese and Western restaurants, this main dish is made from local Beidaihe prawns, served in a scrumptious dressing and usually accompanied by a soup.

Changcheng Bolo Bing - A type of cake made from flour, starch, the leaves of the Bolo tree and a variety of other fillings. It was first cooked in war time by Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) soldiers garrisoned on the Shanhaiguan Pass.

Sitiao Baozi - This stuffed bun is named after a famous baozi stall which has stood for 50 years on a street named Sitiao in the old town of Shanhaiguan. Buns in the shop have won great acclaim from both visitors and locals alike for their appearance and distinctive taste.

Huiji Lvdougao - Otherwise known as mung bean cake, was introduced to the area by Muslim groups. The shop where the cakes were originally sold was first established in 1945, and can still be found in the old town of Shanhaiguan.

Laoerwei Majiang Shaobing - This cake's principal ingredient is sesame seeds, and it can be picked up from the Laoerwei Hotel. It is recommended that it be eaten with hot pot and the local mutton broth.

Other popular local snacks include: Mengheshang Sausage, Jinfa Donkey Meat with Soy Sauce and Xiaoxiao Fried Pork Chop.

Tips

Qinhuangdao's cuisine is characterized by seafood, with various dishes served in almost every hotel, restaurant and eatery in the area. Some visitors may have hotel rooms equipped with a kitchen, and can go directly to the fishing port to source ingredients for their own dishes. The fish and seafood products here are often much cheaper than from other retailers. Seafood can also be bought from the local markets, although it is suggested that you take care when purchasing from individual peddlers. One should bargaining, confirm the price and weight.

The price of seafood in the more popular scenic spots is more expensive, so it is recommended that visitors try and stick to restaurants in less touristy locations. Service is generally of a good standard and the food reasonably-priced.