3 Popular Chinese Street Foods Everyone Should Try

Indulging in Chinese street food is one of the best ways to get a taste of the country’s culinary scene. Here are three of the most popular dishes (order them today on Shef!):

Shao Kao (Chinese BBQ Skewers)

Chinese BBQ skewers — instantly recognizable by their scent of meat and smoky spices — can be found in just about every late-night street food market in China. It’s common to see locals strolling through the lively markets holding multiple Chinese BBQ skewers and an ice-cold drink to beat the hot Chinese summer nights.

To make them, fresh meat is skewered onto bamboo sticks and marinaded with a special blend of Chinese spices, then grilled over flames. Spice blends vary from vendor to vendor (in fact, the vendors have a friendly competition on who has the best one, with each secret recipe serving as a point of pride), but typically include Chinese five spice, cumin, and Sichuan peppercorns.

Jian Bing (Chinese Crepes)

Jian Bing, a common Chinese breakfast food, consists of mung bean crepes filled with eggs and deep-fried wonton crackers. Hot off the griddle, the crepes are seasoned with savory hoisin and fresh herbs, then folded for easy eating during busy mornings. Vendors will start preparing these Chinese crepes as early as 5 a.m., carrying all of their supplies by bicycle or motorbike. Today, Jian Bing is served as a specialty in Chinese restaurants all over the world.

Marbled Chinese Tea Eggs

These elegantly marbled eggs are a popular Chinese side dish and street food. A symbol of fertility and wealth, they’re often eaten during Chinese New Year, but can be found year-round on streets all across China. Fresh eggs are hardboiled in a cauldron of simmering black tea and Chinese spices, then lightly cracked before returned to the soaking liquid. The flavored black tea slowly seeps into the shells, creating an elegant marbled pattern on each egg.

Each city in China has its own unique blend of tea leaves and mix of spices, as well as a preference for longer or shorter steeping periods. They’re a must-try when it comes to Chinese food and food culture.

Ready to order? See if Shef delivers to your area.