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Xiamen's flavors and local specialties are renowned. Fujian cuisine, exemplified by Xiamen cuisine, is one of China's eight major culinary styles. Integrating elements of various Chinese cuisines, Xiamen cuisine boasts a unique flavor profile characterized by clarity, freshness, lightness, crispness, and a subtle spiciness. Xiamen is particularly renowned for its fresh seafood, traditional medicinal cuisine, Putuo vegetarian dishes, and local snacks. To savor the essence of Chinese cuisine, including renowned Sichuan, Cantonese, Beijing, Huaiyang, and Chaozhou cuisine, as well as exotic Japanese cuisine, McDonald's, KFC, and pizza, you don't need to travel all over China; you can find it all in Xiamen.
Xiamen Ginger Duck is made with red-faced Muscovy duck. The duck meat is sautéed in sesame oil, then stewed with ginger (ginger mother) and rice wine. The resulting dish is fragrant and delicious, with a sweet and spicy flavor. It soothes the liver and lungs, nourishes the stomach and spleen, relaxes the muscles and activates blood circulation, and dispels cold and resolves phlegm.
Chow mein suan (stir-fried noodles) is a unique Xiamen specialty, originating from the former Quanfulou and Shuangquan restaurants. Most people may not have heard of it, but it's truly one of Xiamen's most iconic dishes, unmistakably made in Xiamen. Few outsiders have tried it, as its preparation is far more challenging than that of regular chow mein. The key lies in frying and frying the noodles; carelessness can lead to them being overcooked or mushy.
This is a frozen treat made from a unique product. Sandworms are boiled, and the gelatin in their bodies dissolves completely into the water. Upon cooling, the jelly solidifies into sandworm jelly. Its flesh is clear and delicious. Paired with fine soy sauce, northern vinegar, sweet sauce, chili sauce, mustard, minced garlic, jellyfish, cilantro, shredded white radish, shredded chili peppers, and sliced tomatoes, it creates a delicious snack with both color and flavor.
Peanut soup might seem like a simple recipe, but Huang Zehe's is milky white, refreshingly sweet, and the peanuts are crispy but not brittle, melting in your mouth. If you find peanut soup too sweet, try beating an egg and then tossing it in the boiling peanut soup for a nutritional boost while also giving you a sweet treat.
Oyster omelet, also known as oyster omelet, is a snack unique to the southern Fujian region. It's fragrant, delicate, and delicious. Locals often enjoy it as a breakfast side dish with porridge. The crispy, tender oyster omelet, paired with a bowl of dingbianhu (pot-side porridge), is a delicious and smooth dish that's sure to please.
Nanputuo vegetarian cuisine boasts a century-long history and is known as "the world's best vegetarian banquet." Adhering to Buddhist culinary traditions, Nanputuo vegetarian cuisine blends the refinement of imperial vegetarian cuisine, the naturalness of folk vegetarian cuisine, and the purity of monastic vegetarian cuisine. Its meticulously selected ingredients and meticulously prepared dishes are both simple and elegant, with simple names and elegant culinary techniques. The cuisine harmoniously integrates color, fragrance, flavor, form, essence, dishes, texture, nourishment, sound, and ambiance. Combined with a uniquely tranquil, elegant, spacious, and comfortable environment, Nanputuo vegetarian cuisine has forged a healthy, scientific vegetarian culture imbued with poetic charm, scenic beauty, Zen flavor, and a fashionable, healthy, and scientific approach.
"Feng Rou" (Feng Rou) from Tong'an District in Southern Fujian Province is a dish made by mixing a large piece of pork leg weighing three to five pounds with dried oysters, mushrooms, lotus seeds, dried shrimp, and other condiments, then dousing it with soy sauce. It's then wrapped in a gauze cloth, placed in a bowl, covered, and steamed in a steamer until cooked. The lid isn't removed until it's served, hence the name "Feng Rou." Authentic Tong'an Feng Rou is said to be so tender that chopsticks inserted into the meat can be cut through by the movement of the chopsticks.
Fuyu Datong Duck Congee is said to be the most authentic, "one-of-a-kind." The porridge base isn't too thick, the rice grains are distinct, and the duck meat is smooth and tender, creating a truly delicious and savory experience. There are also dozens of other options, including duck meat, duck intestines, and duck hearts. The most economical and delicious dish is undoubtedly the fried dough sticks—they're crispy and fragrant, and dipped in the congee for a truly delicious flavor.
The QQ white skin is filled with a mixture of peanuts, sesame seeds, and white sugar, and the outside is coated with sesame powder or peanut powder according to your choice. With every bite, the chewy glutinous rice skin mixed with the aroma of peanuts and sesame seeds flows into your mouth, which is sweet but not greasy, and leaves a lingering fragrance on your lips and teeth.
Authentic shrimp noodles boast a rich, fragrant broth topped with a thick layer of red oil. Don't mistake this for chili oil; the vibrant color is the result of carefully simmering the shrimp heads with specialized ingredients. The rich, natural shrimp aroma and sweetness linger on your tongue, yet there's no trace of the shrimp. While shrimp noodles primarily consist of shrimp and noodles, the real magic lies not in the shrimp or the noodles, but in the broth itself. Only by taking a sip can you truly appreciate its deliciousness.
Zhang San Feng isn't a person, nor are he three people. He's a cat, the living, breathing sign of this milk tea shop. Today, Zhang San Feng Milk Tea Shop is more like a tourist attraction than a storefront. More people flock to the shop for the cat, nicknamed "Zhang San Feng," than for the mediocre milk tea.
Address: No. 266, Longtou Road, Gulangyu Island, Siming District, Xiamen (near Jiexin Park)
Contact: 0592-2063588
Transportation: Take bus No. 1, 21, or 48 and get off at Zhonghuacheng Station. It is a short walk to the destination.
Reference price: 20 yuan per person
This incredibly popular meat jerky shop is packed with people day and night. Claiming a century-long history, the meat jerky, pork fillets, and pork floss are exceptionally high-quality. You can sample each one first, and the owner, as legendary, is incredibly welcoming, serving you hot, fresh-from-the-oven meat jerky and pork floss. The samples are generously sized.
Address: No. 95, Longtou Road, Siming District, Xiamen
Contact: 0592-2069217
Transportation: Take bus No. 950, get off at Heping Wharf Station and walk 800 meters to the destination.
Reference price: 13 yuan per person
At the intersection of Longtou Road on Gulangyu Island, there's a must-try snack called "Ye's Mochi," boasting a century-long history. To most, it might seem incredible that a small stall could manage such a century, but the small business has managed to survive. The owner pulls out a drawer underneath the cart, removes glutinous rice cakes, and rolls them in a mixture of crushed peanuts, black and white sesame seeds, and powdered sugar. Then, he kneads the dough and rolls it in black sesame powder. The "mochi" is ready. It's sweet but not greasy, glutinous but not sticky, and incredibly delicious. For just one yuan, visitors to the island can relive a sweet memory.
Address: Intersection of Longtou Road, Siming District, Xiamen
Transportation: Take bus No. 1, 3, 21, or 48 and get off at Zhonghuacheng Station. Then walk 300 meters to the destination.
Reference price: 10 yuan/bag
Pan Xiaolian Yogurt Shop has a unique Southeast Asian atmosphere, with the decor evoking tropical fruits. They sell homemade yogurt, with mango yogurt being their signature.
Address: No. 8, Longtou Road, Siming District, Xiamen
Transportation: Take bus No. 3, 19, or 127 and get off at Haibin Building Station. Walk about 800 meters to the destination.
Reference price: 30 yuan per person
Ximen Tusun Jelly is said to be the only authentic old-fashioned shop in Xiamen left. It's currently run by a couple surnamed Liao. The Liao father started selling this jelly from a shoulder pole. They preserve the original flavor of the jelly, using cucumber, ginger, peanut butter, premium soy sauce, and a pungent local mustard and local sweet and spicy sauce. Whether stored in the refrigerator or in a local box with ice, the jelly is icy, sour, spicy, tangy, and chewy. Each piece is priced at one yuan, with a minimum order of five pieces.
Address: No. 33 Douxi Road, Siming District, Xiamen, near the west gate of Zhongshan Park
Contact: 0592-8650170
Transportation: Take Bus No. 2, 3, 950, 127, 952, 840, or 116 and get off at Douxi Road Intersection Station. Then walk 300 meters to the destination.
Reference price: 10 yuan per person
This renowned restaurant, once a food stall, is now a vibrant establishment, renowned both inside and outside Xiamen. Its signature offerings are fresh ingredients, a wide variety of dishes, and authentic flavors. Most importantly, the prices are affordable, so you can eat as much as you want.
Address: No. 1 Huyuan Road, Siming District, Xiamen, near Wanjia Oriental Hotel
Contact: 0592-5070778
Transportation: Take bus No. 17, get off at the Guard Area Station and walk 90 meters to the destination.
Reference price: 50 yuan per person
Grass jelly is rich in ingredients, including kidney beans, barley, red beans, peanuts, qu guo (Chinese quince), and tortoise jelly. Finally, it's topped off with a sweet honey or rich milk tea. A full cup is incredibly nourishing and satisfying. The price isn't expensive, making it a truly affordable option.
Address: No. 22 Taiping Road, Siming District, Xiamen
Contact: 0592-2073838
Transportation: Take bus No. 1, 3, 21, or 48 and get off at Zhonghuacheng Station. Then walk 100 meters to the destination.
Reference price: 6 yuan per person
This well-known, time-honored establishment was incredibly crowded—queues for tickets, food, and even a seat were a sight to behold. The peanut soup is a delight for all ages, with its glutinous, sweet peanuts. A warm bowl of it is truly comforting.
Address: No. 22-24 Zhongshan Road, Siming District, Xiamen
Contact: 0592-2024670
Transportation: Take bus No. 852 or 883, get off at Songyu Agricultural Bank Station, and walk 100 meters to the destination
Reference price: 9 yuan per person
Zhongshan Road is not only a must-visit shopping destination in Xiamen, but it also boasts a wealth of Xiamen's famous snacks. It's worth mentioning that many of Zhongshan's snacks are authentic and must-try.
Address: Zhongshan Road, Siming District, Xiamen
Transportation: There are 16 bus lines passing through Zhongshan Road: No. 10, No. 11, No. 122, No. 12, No. 15, No. 1, No. 20, No. 21, No. 22, No. 32, No. 3, No. 45, No. 48, No. 520, No. 8, and No. 950. It is easily accessible from anywhere in the city.
Longtou Road, Gulangyu Island, is the most important shopping and food street on the island. It is dotted with small shops and offers a wide variety of delicious food, among which snacks are particularly outstanding. The most famous ones are Ye's Mochi, Huang Shengji Golden Fragrant Pork Floss, Wang's Pies, Omelette, and Noodle Soup.
Address: Longtou Road, Gulangyu Island, Xiamen
Transportation: Take a bus from the city center to the ferry terminal. The Gulangyu Ferry is located 200 meters from the terminal. The ferry ride is free, but the return ferry costs 8 yuan per person. Once you arrive at Gulangyu Island, continue walking up from the Gulangyu terminal to Longtou Road.
Dadeng Island offers a dazzling array of seafood, many of which mainland tourists have never heard of. Stir-fried sea eggs, fried shrimp rice noodles, boiled shrimp, fried oysters, stir-fried squid, and seaweed stew all offer unique flavors. Visiting Dadeng is a great way to experience seafood, which is completely different from Xiamen Island.
Address: Shuanglu Intersection Food Street, Huandeng South Road, Dadeng Island, Xiang'an District, Xiamen
Transportation: Take bus No. 620 from Xiamen Railway Station to Xindian, then take bus No. 605 to Dadeng (the journey takes a long time, about two hours). It is near the Jinmen Bay Hotel, the row of seafood stalls on the beach.