In Shanghai’s busy alley, travelers are met with the exotic and delicious aromas of steaming woks and sizzling fryers filled with meat, seafood, vegetables, rice and noodles.
A seasoned traveler will be wary of street food, but if you mix curiosity and a sense of adventure, which has a healthy dose of caution, these street snacks can make for a fun, inexpensive, and authentic dining experience. Sticking to food that has been seen cooked will help prevent illness.
You will find some street foods that the traveler in China should not miss.
stinky tofu
The stench of this foul-smelling fermented tofu will greet shoppers just before the stall where it is sold comes into view. Stinky tofu is actually a favorite snack in many parts of Asia. It is soaked in a brine of fermented milk, meat, vegetables, bamboo, and herbs, as well as other ingredients that may differ by region. It tastes much better than it smells, but it still requires a much more adventurous palate as it is an acquired taste even for the Chinese.
bubble tea
Bubble Tea, also known as pearl tea or boba milk tea, originates from Taiwan but has found its way onto the streets of mainland China. Brewed from black tea and milk, its distinctive feature will be the collection of tapioca “bubbles” that sit at the bottom of the glass and can be eaten through an oversized straw. Travelers can appreciate the original flavor or choose from a variety of fruit flavors. The tea can be served hot or iced, but selecting hot tea is the safest way to go. Look for a supplier that seals the glass with a sanitary plastic cover.
dragon eyes
Sold in bunches comparable to grapes, these round fruits look like miniature kiwis. They come from the longan tree (which translates as “dragon eye”). The most fun part of eating a dragon eye is breaking the center. Once the brown, furry coating is broken open, the sweet, pale center is ready to eat, but spit out the seed! Since these are not cooked, it is usually risky to try them on the street, so if possible, wash the fruit before eating it.
Glazed Strawberries
Stacked on a stick and covered in the hardened caramel-colored glaze, these strawberries will appeal to anyone with a sweet tooth. While they’re not usually cooked in front of shoppers, the berries are dipped in a boiling glaze, so they can be a pretty safe bet. For those who find this snack too sweet, round, glazed berries that look very similar to strawberries are a good substitute, as they are much more bitter.
Chinese street noodles
A large street noodle vendor will provide enough food in one serving to fill the stomachs of two hungry travelers for 5-20 yuan (about $0.50-$2.00). Cooked in the large wok and made to order, shoppers select their vegetables and sauce, which the vendor mixes with eggs and noodles. The final product is hot, fresh, and absolutely delicious.
zongzi
This is really a specialty of Jiaxing, which is about 50 miles southwest of Shanghai, although zongzi is usually found in other areas as well. It consists of glutinous rice soaked in a very sweet sauce and wrapped in bamboo in the shape of a pyramid. The bamboo is secured with a rope and the center of the rice is filled with sweet bean paste. Zongzi can be a sweet snack that can also be quite filling.
The street food available will differ from area to area, but these are typical foods that the traveler is likely to encounter while in China. Don’t miss out on the local specialties on offer on the streets – be adventurous, but smart.
