🎯 Head straight to the heart of Jinshan Old Street! From duck to taro balls, the traditional flavors are more intense than you can imagine

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Jinshan Old Street (also known as Jinbaoli Old Street) is one of the few old streets on the North Coast that still retains a rich, old-fashioned flavor and local sensibility. It doesn't rely on flashy signs or exaggerated decor, but rather on "taste memories and local charm" to transport you back to the original roots of this place. This time, I deliberately avoided the "sweet soup" and "fried chicken" shops often mentioned by tourists (after researching, I discovered they're not mainstream), and focused on the famous snacks and street vendors made by authentic locals. The result was far more exciting than I expected.

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📜 Ancient Street and Background: The Story of a 300-Year-Old Street

Jinshan Old Street dates back to the Qing Dynasty and was once a hub for farming and fishing in the Jinbaoli area. Due to subsequent traffic changes and the shift in the center of town, the old street has retained many of its past flavors and shops. Walking along the cobblestone or antique brick streets, you'll find old houses repurposed into storefronts, traditional bakeries, grocery stores, and pickle shops lining the streets, revealing the once bustling scene. Guang'an Temple, Cihu Temple, Fuyou Temple, and Qingshui Zushiye Temple are cornerstones of faith on Old Street, where religion and everyday life together form the city's cultural heritage.

On my food-only tour, the following are some of the most memorable, authentic Old Street delicacies.

• Jinbaoli Duck (Miaokou Duck)

This is undoubtedly the signature dish and facet of Jinshan Old Street. The duck stall in front of Guang'an Temple at the end of the street is incredibly famous, having operated for over decades. They offer a "self-service" menu: platters of vegetables, stir-fries, duck, and braised dishes are all laid out on the table, and customers can help themselves. Besides the duck itself, the fried noodles, stir-fries, and side dishes are all excellent, satisfying every palate.
• Jinshan Wang Meat Buns/Steamed Buns
Jinshan Wang Meat Buns/Steamed Buns is a popular bun shop on Old Street. They offer scallion and pork buns, braised pork buns, cabbage buns, and other flavors, with some vegetarian and meat options available. Each bun is affordable, making it a great way to replenish your energy.
• Ayu Mochi (Mochi/Mochi-like snacks)
This is a popular souvenir/snack on Old Street. Ayu Mochi's Mochi/Mochi are crispy and non-sticky, and they offer a variety of flavors, from peanuts, sesame, sweet potatoes, and taro to both sweet and savory flavors. They pride themselves on being handmade, using local ingredients, and not being overly sweet, which is a big plus.
• Lion Grove Bakery / Yikousu / Yikoumomo / Egg Rolls
Lion Grove Bakery is a representative traditional bakery, selling Yikoumomo, Yikousu, and handmade egg rolls. They emphasize not adding water or over-processing, ensuring each egg roll retains its rich eggy aroma and crispy texture.
• Jinshan Bingzhilin (Handmade Ice Cream / Ice Desserts)
While not a hot dessert like sweet soup, ice cream is a common way to beat the heat in the old streets. Bingzhilin offers a variety of handmade ice cream flavors, with a refreshing, slushy texture. The prices are reasonable, making it a great place to cool down after a stroll through the old streets.
• Jinshan Big Bowl Crab / Seafood Porridge / Seafood Rice Noodles / Seafood Soup
Although not as traditional as street vendors, "Jinshan Big Bowl Crab" is a popular spot near Old Street. It offers a wide selection of seafood porridge, rice noodles, and udon noodles, featuring crab, shrimp, and small rolls. They also have fried foods and side dishes, making it a great choice for a full meal.
• Sweet Potato Cakes / Sweet Potatoes / Sweet Potato Crisps
Numerous vendors sell freshly fried sweet potato cakes (di kuei kuei). Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, with a natural sweetness of sweet potato, they are a delicious street food in Old Street. Sweet potato and taro-related products (cakes, crisps, slices, etc.) are also common on the street, representing a typical variation of local crops.
• Zhujia Bu Rou / Fried Food (Small portions, for garnish)
In or around the Old Street area, there are shops that serve Taiwanese-style fried pork chunks or other fried foods like "Bu Rou," which are served as snacks or side dishes. However, unlike the large chunks of fried chicken served in "bucket chicken," these fried foods differ in size and style, complementing the flavors and seasonings of the Old Street area.
This time, I went to Jinshan Old Street with the goal of "eating authentic local food and avoiding touristy canned goods." I discovered that the Old Street's charm lies not in exaggerated gimmicks but in the authentic flavors you might overlook, yet are always there.

Wandering down Jinbaoli Street, the street isn't long, but the aroma quietly drew me along. There were no giant buckets of fried chicken waving their way, nor were there any hot sweet soup shops offering warmth. Instead, I saw a few quiet lines at traditional gourmet restaurants, handmade pancake shops, and customers carrying plates of duck. The atmosphere was rustic, the sounds authentic, and without any overt tourist trappings, it made me want to take a deep breath and slow down.

The duck stall that first captivated me was the duck meat stall. I'd heard the name "Jin Bao Li Duck Meat" countless times. Upon arriving, I realized it wasn't just a catchy name; every piece of duck, every braised dish, and every side dish was meticulously crafted. The meat was springy yet not tough, the sauce was fragrant and flavorful, and the broth was subtly sweet. The buffet, with its choice of hot dishes and stir-fries and fried noodles, made the "take your own pick" dining experience feel intimate and engaging. Sitting at the table, watching the duck fat glisten between the seams of the plates, I suddenly understood why so many people say, "A trip to Jinshan without duck meat is a wasted trip."

Halfway through my meal, I was drawn in by the aroma of steamed buns. As I walked into the small Jinshan Wang Rou Bao shop, I could smell the mingled aroma of scallions, pork, and dough as I waited in line for my buns. The scallion and pork buns were deliciously filling, with a perfectly springy dough. Vegetarian and cabbage buns also struck a perfect balance between texture and filling. These buns were far more appealing than those "photogenic" buns disguised as tourist attractions.

Next, I headed into the bakery area. Lion Grove Bakery and Ayu Mochi became my next stops. Walking into the shop, watching them expertly cut the mochi, bake the egg rolls, and mix the fillings, I almost forgot I was strolling through the old street or attending a play. The first bite of the mochi was crispy but not sticky, fragrant but not greasy, with a delicate layering of flavors—the kind that makes you want to buy the whole bag right away. The egg rolls were so crispy, like a work of art, and every bite revealed the pure fusion of egg and flour. The textures and flavors of this entire area were the softest surprises I'd experienced on my trip.

While wandering, I stumbled upon a small cart selling sweet potato cakes. The crust is slightly crispy, the sweet potato inside is soft and glutinous, and the natural sweetness isn't the processed, sugary kind, but the honest, unadulterated flavor you remember from eating sweet potatoes in the countryside. Don't underestimate this small piece; if you seize the opportunity to eat it right after frying, the traditional flavor will delight you.

Finally, my visit to this old street was complete when I visited Bingzhilin and enjoyed a scoop of refreshing ice cream. The ice cream wasn't some fancy, creamy treat, but rather a simple, refreshing, fruity, and handmade creation. I sat by the side of the street, watching the people coming and going—children, adults, and the elderly browsing the stalls. The sense of life flowing through them was more authentic than any internet celebrity's check-in.

In Jinshan Old Street, I wasn't lured into a fried chicken or sweet soup shop by the hype. Instead, I was captivated by the aroma of duck, the simplicity of the steamed buns, the delicate texture of the mochi, the mildness of the sweet potato cake, and the coolness of the ice cream. These flavors aren't exaggerated for photogenic looks; they grow from the land, from culture, from the craftsmanship of the people, and from their memories.

So later, sitting on that old street, chewing on mochi crumbs, watching the setting sun glisten on the tiled rooftops in the distance, I suddenly understood: The true charm of Jinshan Old Street lies not in trendy dishes or popular fried chicken restaurants, but in these unassuming, yet heartfelt, old flavors, preserved, eaten, and remembered through the ages, between people.

Next time you visit Jinshan Old Street, don't look for flashy stalls or just focus on the size of the signs. Walk slowly, eat slowly, and observe slowly. Only then will you discover the snacks hidden in the alleys, quietly radiating life, and truly savor the soul of this street.

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