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Sample Traditional Chinese Street foods at the Donghuamen Night Market in Beijing
Published on January 24, 2012 by Lydia Schrandt
Country: China 
The Experience
China is a veritable foodie's paradise with a unique culinary tradition in every province. Beijing is no exception. One of the best ways to sample some traditional Chinese street foods is at the Donghuamen Night Snack Street in Beijing. The long stretch of road is lined with vendors selling everything from the mundane noodles to the strange, unusual, and sometimes a bit disgusting, but all for a good price.
Once the sun goes down, join the throngs of Chinese and international tourists who flock to Donghuamen to fill their bellies or to simply catch a glimpse at some of the strange things people will eat. The red and white striped vendor carts and strings of Chinese lanterns lining the street give Donghuamen market a welcoming glow. The often boisterous vendors happily offer up advice on what to eat and how to eat it.
Go hungry and the smells of grilling meats lure will lure you into the Donghuamen market crowd. Being somewhat of an adventurous eater with a personal motto of "I'll try anything once," I dove right into the weird stuff. Within a period of 20 minutes and an expanse of 30 feet, I'd sampled deep-fried crickets, scorpion, bee larvae, starfish, grilled snake, and a variety of pig innards served kabob style. Some of the chinese street food lived up to the less than pleasant expectation I'd built up in my head, filling my mouth with strange flavors and textures that I hope to never revisit. Others, like the bee larvae, offered a nice surprise. I founnd myself enjoying the mild honey flavour and crispy texture.
For less adventurous eaters visiting the Donghuamen night market, dine on spring rolls, steamed pork dumplings, crab cakes and traditional Chinese barbecued meats. Sip on fresh squeezed fruit juice with pieces of dry ice dropped in for the added misty effect, and finish off the meal with skewers of cubed fruit coated in a glassy sugar shell, a traditional sweet treat found in street markets throughout China.
Once the sun goes down, join the throngs of Chinese and international tourists who flock to Donghuamen to fill their bellies or to simply catch a glimpse at some of the strange things people will eat. The red and white striped vendor carts and strings of Chinese lanterns lining the street give Donghuamen market a welcoming glow. The often boisterous vendors happily offer up advice on what to eat and how to eat it.
Go hungry and the smells of grilling meats lure will lure you into the Donghuamen market crowd. Being somewhat of an adventurous eater with a personal motto of "I'll try anything once," I dove right into the weird stuff. Within a period of 20 minutes and an expanse of 30 feet, I'd sampled deep-fried crickets, scorpion, bee larvae, starfish, grilled snake, and a variety of pig innards served kabob style. Some of the chinese street food lived up to the less than pleasant expectation I'd built up in my head, filling my mouth with strange flavors and textures that I hope to never revisit. Others, like the bee larvae, offered a nice surprise. I founnd myself enjoying the mild honey flavour and crispy texture.
For less adventurous eaters visiting the Donghuamen night market, dine on spring rolls, steamed pork dumplings, crab cakes and traditional Chinese barbecued meats. Sip on fresh squeezed fruit juice with pieces of dry ice dropped in for the added misty effect, and finish off the meal with skewers of cubed fruit coated in a glassy sugar shell, a traditional sweet treat found in street markets throughout China.
When to Go to Donghuamen Market
While the snack street vendors are open for business throughout the day, the best time to visit the Donghuamen Night Market is after dark when the whole street market scene really comes alive. If you want to try the foods without the crowds and the lines, show up mid-afternoon when most tourists are hitting the popular Beijing hot spots. To fully enjoy the atmosphere and collective excitement, wait until after sunset.
If you're in the area earlier in the day and want to work up an appetite first, get your shopping done at the nearby Wangfujing walking street.
If you're in the area earlier in the day and want to work up an appetite first, get your shopping done at the nearby Wangfujing walking street.
Odds n' Ends
Most of the foods sold at the Donghuamen Night Market are pretty inexpensive, so try to bring small bills as some of the vendors don't like taking the time to make change for 100RMB notes. The Wangfujing area is popular with tourists and consequently with pickpockets, so beware of your surroundings and your belongings.
The street is rather long and many of the vendors offer similar items, so you should walk the street first to get an idea of what you might like to try and where the best prices are. Most prices are labeled, but you can still bargain a bit, especially if you're buying more than one thing.
The street is rather long and many of the vendors offer similar items, so you should walk the street first to get an idea of what you might like to try and where the best prices are. Most prices are labeled, but you can still bargain a bit, especially if you're buying more than one thing.
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