Le streets of Beijing they are a mixture of smells and fumes that envelop you as you walk fascinated by ancient architecture and by a life that flows under your eyes as something completely new and different from the usual. Eating in Beijing is a continuous discovery of timeless flavors, aromas and traditions. And street food, more than others, is the one that most embodies the essence of this multifaceted and tasty culinary culture. Here 5 street foods not to be missed in Beijing, from the strongest flavors to the most delicate ones, from salty to sweet, 5 low cost proposals to get to know this city a little more through its cuisine.
Jiao zi
They are what we know as "steamed ravioli". Small kiosks equipped with the characteristic bamboo baskets or simple windows overlooking the street, offer the traveler the most characteristic meal in Beijing. Do not go to a restaurant to eat the steamed ravioli, the real, authentic, genuine ones, with finely hand-rolled pasta and the unmistakable shape of a bundle filled with minced meat, must be eaten in the street. Some sellers have some spartan coffee table inside, near a very hot kitchen where busy women fill and close the ravioli with skill and speed. Sitting in one of these places contributes to experiencing the essence of Beijing. Besides, a portion of 10 ravioli can cost as little as 6 yuen (60 euro cents approximately). Often the owners do not speak English but they are very kind, especially with Western customers and even if the name of the dishes is written only in Chinese, indicating the infinite bamboo containers stacked near the window will be an unmistakable sign of your desire to eat ravioli!
Bao zi
Similar to ravioli for their steam cooking, however, they are gods loaves filled with meat or chopped greens. The difference therefore lies in the dough, which is softer and more spongy. As for Jiao zi, they are a very characteristic and cheap food in Beijing, to be tried for their delicate flavor and their soft texture, perhaps with the addition of soy sauce. Along the walls of the Forbidden City or inside the characteristic Hutongs, it is not difficult to come across Jiao zi and Bao zi kiosks.
Chuan
Strolling through Beijing, especially entering typical markets, back streets or hutongs, it is impossible not to notice the long lines of skewers (Chuan in fact), already sizzling on the grill or still raw, ready to be grilled. The skewers can cost as little as 1 yuen each (about 10 euro cents). Even in the most famous markets near Wangfujing, Beijing's commercial street, 8 skewers of sheep meat cost around 10 yuen (About 1 euro). The most popular and characteristic are those of sheep meat, almost a kebab in small pieces, inserted on a long toothpick. But there are also other meats, or fish. Especially for tourists, they are exposed (and if you dare, even cooked especially for you) skewers of scorpions (shown still frolicking to certify their freshness) or of stars and seahorses.
Tang hu lu
Very sweet, colorful and inviting, they are gods caramelized fruit skewers, on sale on the street almost everywhere in Beijing. Often the skewer, very tall, is made up of only red and large strawberries, all covered with a thick sugar glaze. But it is also found in mixed fruit. Seen together they are really colorful and make you want to be eaten, returning a bit like children with sugar-stained hands and lips all to lick. This street food is also very cheap, usually 10 yuen per skewer (around 1 euro).
Jian Bing
Very characteristic food in Beijing, prepared in the street in front of the eyes and under the nose of passers-by, it is a kind of big crepe, stuffed with vegetables, meat, eggs and whatever else you want to put there. Great plates they heat a dough almost as if it were our traditional crepe, but then eggs are opened directly on that dough and spread in a circular direction, which will cook with the heat of the plate. Some are then added sauces including a spicy, vegetable and meat. Finally the huge crepe is folded on itself several times e delivered in a bag. Pekingese also eat it for breakfast, but they consider it perfect for any meal!
