Beijing Snack Guide Beneath the Imperial City

Written/Compiled & Reported by MOOK Scenic Spots Travel Life Net, Chen Guanxin

 

Beijing’s street snacks consist of three major categories: Han Chinese flavors, Hui Muslim flavors, and imperial court flavors, so the variety is immense and the flavors are diverse. Especially due to its unique location beneath theImperialCity, Beijing snacks are more or less infused with an element of refinement.

Jiumen Snacks is both new and ancient; it has only been around in Houhai since 2006, but it houses over ten time-honored brands with histories of more than a century. Originally, the Beijing Traditional Snacks Association invited renowned establishments such as Chatai Li, Niangao Qian, Yangtou Ma, Doufunao Bai, Nailei Wei, Baodu Feng, Deshunzhai, Zhaoguo Xin, Yueshengzhai, Tonghexuan, Jiumen Zhushu, Mendingtou Bing, Shuanghulu Guo, Xiaochang Chen, and Xianbing Zhou to gather here, allowing diners to sample all the classic old-brand snacks of the capital on a single plate—a true spectacle.

 

[Info]

Address: No. 1, Xiaoyou Hutong, Houhai, Xicheng District

Phone: +8610-6402-6868

Huguo Temple Snack Shop is operated by the state-owned Huatian Juder Group. It is a place where ordinary Beijing residents have breakfast or enjoy light snacks, so the environment is rather crowded, the decor is very basic, and the service is quite casual. However, it is precisely this informality that gives the vibe of eating snacks with the locals. Since its main clientele are everyday citizens, many Beijingers believe that compared to tourist-oriented "authentic" snack shops, the unpretentious atmosphere here might even be a bonus.

 

[Info]

Address: No. 68, Huguo Temple Street, Xicheng District

Phone: +8610-6618-1705

Longfusi Snack Shop and Bai Kui Lao Hao are under the same ownership and are also a time-honored brand. It can be said that many Beijing grandparents grew up drinking its fermented mung bean drink. Like Huguo Temple Snack Shop, most Beijing snacks can be tasted here, and the prices are reasonable with generous portions, although the service still leaves much to be desired.

 

[Info]

Address: No. 1, Longfusi Qianjie, Dongcheng District

Phone: +8610-6406-0668

If you really don’t fancy the environment of traditional snack shops or aren’t used to eating alongside strangers, then come to Siheyuan Pavilion. Located inside the luxury Jinglun Hotel, it is the only hotel restaurant in Beijing that specializes in snacks, thus offering a more comfortable dining experience compared to regular snack shops. The variety of snacks here is quite comprehensive, and the food is more refined than what you’d find on the street. Especially the seasonal dishes launched according to solar terms not only offer a taste of novelty but also allow diners to enjoy seasonal delicacies and the health benefits of timely nourishment. Of course, the price is also at the level of a star-rated hotel.

 

[Info]

Address: 4th Floor, Jinglun Hotel, No. 3, Jianguomenwai Street, Chaoyang District

Phone: +8610-6500-2266 ext. 8116