When you’re looking for fast food, forget McDonalds or KFC. Street food vendors throughout the city serve the fastest and cheapest “fast food” in China. These vendors are the true local entrepreneurs offering his or her home specialty, using fresh ingredients in front of your very eyes. Prices range from 2-6 RMB depending upon portion size (approximately 30-90 cents).
Popular street food offerings:
Jian Bing Vendor, Photo by S.Sherrill
- Jian Bing – In the mornings jian bing vendors are found preparing these delicious crepe-like breakfast specialties. It is then filled with a fried egg, and usually cilantro, green onions, spicy chili sauce, and sweet black bean sauce. Each city offers their own variation. Some places will fill it with lettuce, others with crueler type dough or a long fried wonton.
- Fried/Steamed Dumplings – These small dumplings are most commonly filled with pork and/or shrimp. They are then either steamed or fried.
- Steamed Buns – These are larger in appearance. The bun is doughier than regular dumplings. They can be filled with any type of meat or vegetable.
- Meat Skewers – Late night these stands are quite popular with the after-bar crowds and are often run by Muslims from Xinjjiang. The meat is skewered on a stick, brushed with spices and barbequed. Occasionally these places offer skewered vegetables as well.
Stinky Tofu, Photo by S.Sherrill
- Stinky Tofu – This infamous snack of fried fermented tofu can be smelled from blocks away. The smell can be likened to sweaty old gym socks. Surprisingly, it is incredibly popular with local Chinese. If you hold your breath and douse it with a lot of hot sauce I find it almost tolerable.
- Bubble Tea – A delicious sweet tea with tea-soaked tapioca-like beans sitting in the bottom of the cup. It is served with a fat straw to suck up the jellied beans.
Check out the slide show for more pictures of “typical” Chinese street food cuisine.
Jostling for position against the crowds while employing the point and mime strategy of ordering can be intimidating, but you’re missing out on a tremendous amount of convenience and culture if you pass over the street vendors.
The most important tip? Always pick the vendors with the longest lines and follow the lead of those before you.
Author’s Note: Many people may question the cleanliness of street stands, but I’ve never gotten food poisoning from them. Unfortunately I can’t say the same thing about many reputable western restaurants in China.
For more info: If you’re wondering where to start in Shanghai, Accent Mandarin offers a special food street tour that may be just the ticket. The Wujiang Food Street Tour (100RMB) will acquaint you with the local street eats and teach a few key ordering phrases in Mandarin.
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