Xiamen street food:10 Must-Try Street Foods and Restaurants
Welcome to Xiamen! This city boasts not only stunning scenery but also incredibly delicious food. Xiamen cuisine is an integral part of Fujian cuisine, characterized by its light, fresh flavors with a hint of sweetness.
For first-time visitors to Xiamen, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 must-try street snacks. These treats are easy to find and won’t break the bank.
I. Must-Try Street Snacks
1. Sha Cha Noodles
What it is: Xiamen’s most famous noodle dish. The broth boasts a rich flavor infused with peanut and shrimp aromas. You can customize your noodles with preferred toppings like pork, seafood, or vegetables.
Where to eat: Street stalls or specialty noodle shops. Examples: “Yuehua Sha Cha Noodles” or “Wutang Sha Cha Noodles”.
Tip: If you don’t like spicy food, tell the vendor “no spice”.
2. Oyster Omelette
What it is: A pancake made with fresh small oysters, eggs, and sweet potato starch. Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside.
Where to eat: Numerous street vendors sell this on Xiamen’s Zhongshan Road pedestrian street or at the Ba Shi Seafood Market.
3. Peanut Soup
What it is: A sweet, hot beverage made by simmering peanuts until very soft. It has a sweet, smooth texture and is often enjoyed with fried dough sticks as a breakfast or dessert.
Where to eat: Huang Zehe Peanut Soup Shop is the most renowned old-established brand.
4. Meat Zongzi
What it is: Glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo leaves, filled with chunks of pork, shiitake mushrooms, dried shrimp, and more. Savory and filling.
Where to eat: 1980 Meat Zongzi is a well-known local shop.
5. Sea Worm Jelly
What it is: This is a snack that looks a bit strange but tastes surprisingly good. It’s not actually “bamboo shoots,” but a jelly made from sea worms that are boiled and then cooled. It’s eaten with mustard and soy sauce.
Tip: This is the boldest choice! If you like adventure, you must try it.
II. Classic Dishes to Order at Restaurants
6. Ginger Duck
What it is: Duck meat slow-cooked with generous amounts of old ginger and sesame oil. The duck is stewed until extremely tender, infused with a rich ginger flavor, and warms you up from the inside.
7. Seafood
Recommended Dishes: Soy Sauce Mixed Fish, Steamed Crab, Blanched Shrimp. As an island city, Xiamen boasts exceptionally fresh seafood. Preparation is simple, emphasizing the natural flavors of the ingredients.
Where to Eat: Head to the seafood stalls near Kaiyuan Road or the Eight Markets. Select your catch fresh and watch it being cooked to order.
8. Fried Five-Spice Roll
What it is: Bean curd skin wrapped around seasoned pork filling, then deep-fried. Crispy outside, tender inside—a perfect bar snack.
9. Mian Xian Hu
What it is: A breakfast dish made from very thin noodles cooked into a thick soup. Smooth texture, often served with pork intestines, pig’s blood, or other toppings.
10. Xiamen Pastry
What it is: A traditional Xiamen pastry with a crispy crust and sweet mung bean filling. Makes an excellent gift to bring home for friends.
Recommended brands: Pastries from “Ah Ji Zai” or “Huang Yuantao” are renowned.
III. Practical Tips for Foreign Visitors
Where to Eat XiaMen:
Zhongshan Road Pedestrian Street: The most crowded spot with a wide variety of snacks.
Bashi Market: A local produce market where you can experience authentic Xiamen life. Snacks are cheap and genuine.
How to Order: Many snack stalls don’t have English menus. You can point directly at someone else’s bowl or say the food’s name (use the Chinese names from this article).
Payment Methods: Bring some cash. While WeChat Pay and Alipay are common, some older shops may only accept cash.
Be Adventurous: Don’t be afraid to try foods that look or sound strange—you might discover a new favorite!
