A Bite of Old Beijing: Dalian Huoshao, the Crispy “Money Pouch” （褡裢火烧）
In the bustling hutongs of Beijing hides a snack with a quirky name but an unforgettable taste — Dalian Huoshao. Unlike the world-famous Peking Duck, this is a true hidden gem that locals love. Picture this: a golden, crispy little “pouch” stuffed with hot, juicy meat. The moment you bite down, you hear the crunch of the crust and taste the rich, flavorful filling. That’s when you really fall in love with the everyday food culture of Beijing.
1. Origins and Meaning
History: Dalian Huoshao first appeared in Beijing during the late Qing Dynasty. Its shape looked like the small cloth pouches (“dalian”) people once carried to hold money, which gave it its name.
Cultural Value: It’s more than just a snack — it’s part of hutong life and carries the flavor of old Beijing. For locals, it symbolizes simple but satisfying food that brings comfort and warmth.
2. Ingredients, Cooking, and Taste
Ingredients: The main ingredients are soft dough and juicy minced pork (sometimes beef or lamb). Green onion, ginger, yellow bean paste, and seasonings are usually added. The result is a golden-brown strip that looks like a pouch — crispy outside, tender inside.
How It’s Made: The unique method is pan-frying after shaping. The long pouch-shaped dumplings are placed closely together in a pan, fried in oil until both sides turn golden and crispy. Water is then added and covered, allowing the inside to cook through while keeping the outside crisp.
Flavor: Every bite is a contrast — crunchy on the outside, juicy and savory inside. Hot, rich, but never too greasy, it delivers pure happiness in each mouthful.
3. How to Eat & Where to Try
Traditional Way: Locals like to eat it with a small dish of vinegar and a few cloves of raw garlic. This helps cut through the richness and adds more flavor. It can be enjoyed as a light meal for one or shared with friends as a snack.
Where to Find It: You can find Dalian Huoshao in many snack shops and traditional restaurants across Beijing. Some popular spots in 2025 include:
- Ruibinlou (Fengtai District)
- Xiaochang Chen (several branches)
- Laomenkuang Hotpot (several branches)
It’s very affordable, usually around 15–30 RMB per portion. To order like a local, just say: “Lái èr liǎng Dalian Huoshao” (“Two portions, please”).
Traveler Tip: In English, you can call it “Beijing Fried Meat Pocket” or simply use the pinyin Dalian Huoshao. Be sure to eat it hot, but careful — the filling can be very hot inside!
Easy Home Recipe
If you’d like to try making it at home:
- Mix flour and water into a soft dough, then let it rest.
- Combine minced pork with onion, ginger, cooking wine, yellow bean paste, sesame oil, salt, and pepper.
- Roll the dough flat, cut into rectangles, fill with meat, fold and seal into pouch shapes.
- Fry in a pan with oil until golden, then add a splash of water, cover, and steam-fry until the filling is cooked.
Final Bite
Next time you wander through the hutongs of Beijing, don’t just search for roast duck. Step into a little eatery where locals line up, order a fresh plate of Dalian Huoshao, and enjoy the crispy crust with juicy filling. Add it to your must-try Beijing street food list — because this snack isn’t just food, it’s a taste of old Beijing’s living history.
