Famous Street Food In Beijing: A Culinary Adventure

Beijing, the capital of the People’s Republic of China, has a rich cultural heritage and is a top destination for tourists from all over the world. One thing that draws people to this city is its delicious and unique street food. From savory to sweet, spicy to mild, Beijing’s street food scene has something for everyone. In this article, we will explore some of the most famous street foods in Beijing and take a culinary adventure you won’t forget. So, let’s get started!

The Legendary Beijing Duck

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The History of Beijing Duck

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Beijing Duck, also known as Peking Duck, is a signature dish of Beijing and one of the most famous Chinese dishes in the world. It is made by roasting a duck until the skin is crispy and golden, then served with thin pancakes, cucumber, and scallions. The origins of this dish can be traced back to the Yuan dynasty (1271-1368), but it was during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) that it became popular among the imperial court.

The Preparation of Beijing Duck

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Preparing Beijing Duck is a meticulous process that requires expert skill. The duck is first cleaned and seasoned, then air-dried for several hours to remove excess moisture. It is then roasted in an oven until the skin is crispy and golden. The duck is then carved into thin slices and served with pancakes, cucumber, and scallions, and a sweet bean sauce or hoisin sauce.

Where to Find the Best Beijing Duck

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There are many places in Beijing where you can find delicious Beijing Duck. Some of the most famous restaurants include Quanjude, Da Dong, and Liqun Roast Duck Restaurant. These restaurants have been serving Beijing Duck for decades and have a reputation for quality and taste.

The Mouth-Watering Jianbing

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The History of Jianbing

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Jianbing is a traditional Chinese street food that originated in Shandong province but has become a staple in Beijing. It is a thin crepe made from wheat flour and eggs and filled with a variety of ingredients, including scallions, cilantro, chili sauce, and crispy fried wonton skins.

The Preparation of Jianbing

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Preparing Jianbing is a quick and simple process. The crepe batter is made by mixing flour and water, then pouring the mixture onto a hot griddle and spreading it thinly. An egg is cracked onto the crepe and spread around, then the filling ingredients are added. The crepe is folded and served hot.

Where to Find the Best Jianbing

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Some of the best places to find Jianbing in Beijing are on the street vendors. One of the most famous vendors is Mr. Bing, which has several locations throughout the city. You can also find Jianbing at many breakfast shops and food markets.

The Fiery Spiciness of Malatang

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The History of Malatang

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Malatang is a popular spicy soup that originated in Sichuan province but has become a favorite in Beijing. It is made by boiling a variety of meats, vegetables, and noodles in a spicy broth flavored with Sichuan peppercorns and chili peppers.

The Preparation of Malatang

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Preparing Malatang is a simple process that allows for a lot of customization. Customers choose the ingredients they want in their soup, which can include sliced beef, pork, chicken, tofu, mushrooms, bok choy, and noodles. The ingredients are then boiled in a spicy broth, and the soup is served hot.

Where to Find the Best Malatang

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There are many places in Beijing where you can find delicious Malatang. Some of the most famous restaurants include Haidilao, Xiaolongkan, and Qimen Shuanrou. These restaurants have a reputation for quality and taste.

The Sweet and Nutty Tanghulu

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The History of Tanghulu

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Tanghulu is a traditional Chinese snack that originated in northern China. It is made by skewering fruits, usually hawthorn berries, onto a stick and coating them in a hard candy shell.

The Preparation of Tanghulu

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Preparing Tanghulu is a simple process that requires patience. The hawthorn berries are washed and skewered onto a stick. A sugar syrup is heated to a high temperature, and the skewered berries are dipped into the syrup and left to harden. The process is repeated several times until the berries are coated in a thick, glossy shell.

Where to Find the Best Tanghulu

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Tanghulu is a common street food in Beijing and can be found at many food markets and snack vendors. Some of the most famous places to find Tanghulu are at Wangfujing Snack Street and Qianmen Street.

The Savory Jianbing Guozi

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The History of Jianbing Guozi

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Jianbing Guozi is a popular street food in Beijing that is a variation of the traditional Jianbing. It is made by taking a Jianbing crepe and wrapping it around a crispy fried dough stick, also known as a youtiao.

The Preparation of Jianbing Guozi

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Preparing Jianbing Guozi is a simple process that combines two classic Chinese snacks. A Jianbing crepe is made as usual, then a youtiao is placed in the center and wrapped up. The result is a savory and crispy snack that is perfect for breakfast or as a mid-day snack.

Where to Find the Best Jianbing Guozi

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You can find Jianbing Guozi at many breakfast shops and street vendors throughout Beijing. Some of the most famous places to find it are at Xinjiang and Muslim food markets.

The Refreshing and Sweet Shaved Ice

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The History of Shaved Ice

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Shaved Ice is a popular dessert that originated in Taiwan but has become a favorite among locals and tourists in Beijing. It is made by shaving a block of ice and topping it with a variety of sweet syrups and toppings.

The Preparation of Shaved Ice

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Preparing Shaved Ice is a straightforward process that requires a special machine to shave the ice. The shaved ice is then placed in a bowl or cup and topped with sweet syrups, fruits, and other toppings, such as condensed milk, red bean paste, and jelly.

Where to Find the Best Shaved Ice

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Some of the best places to find Shaved Ice in Beijing are at dessert shops and food markets. Some of the most famous places to find it are at the Qianmen area and Chaoyang district.

The Hearty and Flavorful Roujiamo

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The History of Roujiamo

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Roujiamo is a traditional Chinese sandwich that originated in Shaanxi province but has become a popular street food in Beijing. It is made by stuffing a flatbread with seasoned pork or beef and various vegetables and spices.

The Preparation of Roujiamo

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Preparing Roujiamo is a simple process that requires a lot of preparation. The flatbread is made by mixing flour and water, then rolling it out and cooking it on a griddle. The meat filling is cooked with various herbs and spices, then stuffed into the bread along with vegetables such as lettuce, cilantro, and pickles.

Where to Find the Best Roujiamo

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You can find Roujiamo at many street vendors and food markets throughout Beijing. Some of the most famous places to find it are at the Muslim quarter of Beijing, Xi’an Famous Food, and Shaanxi Province restaurant.

The Crunchy and Addictive Fried Scorpions

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The History of Fried Scorpions

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Fried Scorpions have been a popular snack in Beijing since the 1990s. They are a