Food

Street Food

China's best meals are often handed over a counter at 7 a.m. or skewered over charcoal at midnight. This is the city-by-city map of the street — what each town's masterpiece is, and when its stalls perform.

Xi'an — the Muslim Quarter SILK ROAD ON A GRIDDLE

Roujiamo, hand-torn paomo, belt-width biangbiang noodles — thirteen centuries of Hui cooking in the lanes behind the Drum Tower.

Full guide →

Changsha — the midnight capital QUEUES UNTIL 2 A.M.

Jet-black stinky tofu, basins of spiced crayfish, and a night-market culture so committed the queues are entertainment.

Full guide →

Chengdu — lanes of numbing sweet SNACK CITY OF GASTRONOMY

Bobo chicken from spiced oil, egg pancakes, rabbit heads for the brave — then tea in the park to reset the palate.

Full guide →

Wuhan — breakfast as religion THE GUOZAO RITE

Hot-dry noodles eaten walking, doupi rice parcels, fried dough with sweet soy milk — the city's whole character before 9 a.m.

Full guide →

Guangzhou — congee and midnight woks THE GENTLE MASTER

Translucent rice rolls at dawn, clay-pot rice and wok-breath noodles after dark, double-skin milk to finish.

Full guide →

The scanning rules HOW TO EAT ANY STREET

Follow local queues; eat what's cooked to order and served scalding; give your gut two adjustment days; pay by QR everywhere.

Full guide coming soon
Traveller’s notes

Prices, opening hours, transport and policy details can change at any time — always verify with official sources before you travel. China Travel Co is an independent travel guide with no affiliation to, or endorsement from, any government body.

Eight CuisinesHotpotNight EconomyFood Routes