Beijing HuGuoSi Street: A Must-Try Chinese Food Tour
HuGuoSi Street in Beijing is a hidden gem for lovers of Chinese food and old-town charm. Located in Xicheng District, it stretches from Ping’anli to Xidan North Street. The street is famous for Beijing snacks, historic temples, and vibrant street life. Visitors can enjoy authentic Beijing eats like traditional sweets, savory pastries, and classic drinks, all while exploring the culture and history of this century-old neighborhood.
1. HuGuoSi Snacks & Traditional Treats
Why Visit: The HuGuoSi Snack Main Store, founded in 1956, offers a wide range of traditional Chinese snacks, including fried cream cakes, donkey rolls, Ai Wo Wo, pea cakes, fermented mung bean juice, and noodle tea.
Highlights:
- Fried cream cakes: Crispy outside, creamy inside, lightly sweet.
- Donkey rolls: Soft glutinous rice with sweet red bean paste.
- Fermented mung bean juice: Unique sour taste, usually paired with crispy rings and pickles.
- Noodle tea: Thick millet paste with sesame sauce and a hint of spice.
Tips: Try a small portion of each snack to share. Don’t miss the historic photos inside, including a 2001 celebrity visit.
2. Trendy & Classic Desserts
Red Flower Dessert Shop: Famous for the Queen of Three Kingdoms Roll and Butterfly Crisps. Perfect for Beijing bites lovers.
Highlights:
- Creamy cake rolls, light and fluffy.
- Crispy Butterfly crisps with coconut aroma.
- Almond tofu with osmanthus honey.
Fuhua Zhai: Experience royal-style desserts with treats like rose pastries, ox tongue cakes, and bean rolls.
Tips: Try the rose pastry and bean roll for a touch of palace elegance. Summer visitors should try the watermelon cake for a refreshing treat.
3. Savory Snacks & Street Food
- Huifeng Mending Meat Cakes: Thin crust, juicy filling, perfect with millet porridge.
- Baoji Fried Flatbread: Crispy outside, soft inside, paired with smoked meat or intestines.
- Xinchuan Noodle House: Famous for spicy cold noodles, balanced sweet and spicy flavor.
- Beijing Hawthorn Shop: Try hawthorn balls or sugar-coated fruit skewers, healthy and nostalgic.
Tips: These street snacks are perfect for breakfast, lunch, or a quick bite while exploring HuGuoSi Street.
Cultural Experience & Travel Tips
- Route Suggestion: Start at Ping’anli Metro B Exit, head to HuGuoSi Snack Main Store, then explore dessert shops, meat cakes, and street food. End at People’s Theatre and Mei Lanfang Residence for culture and history.
- Cultural Spots: HuGuoSi Temple, People’s Theatre, Liyuan Bookstore, Mei Lanfang Residence.
- Nearby Attractions: Gong Wang Fu, Shichahai, Houhai for classic Beijing hutong experiences.
Tips: Share snacks in small portions, visit popular stores off-peak, try ice cream and rose drinks in summer, and hot pastries and noodle tea in winter.
Conclusion
HuGuoSi Street is a must-visit for anyone seeking authentic Chinese food in Beijing. From fermented mung bean juice to Queen of Three Kingdoms Rolls, each bite tells a story of old Beijing life and culture. Compared to the busy Nanluoguxiang, HuGuoSi offers a more genuine experience of Beijing snacks, historic streets, and local traditions. Bring your appetite and curiosity for a dual journey of taste and culture.
