Hi there! I’m Emma Lee, a foreign food blogger living in China. Qingdao, a city filled with the charm of the ocean, has been one of the highlights of my culinary journey in China. Whether it’s street food stalls or fine dining restaurants, I love diving deep into every hidden gem of flavors. Through my blog, I hope to guide you in discovering the unique food scene of this city, especially its traditional dishes with local flair. From seafood to snacks, from classic to innovative, every bite in Qingdao is worth savoring.

Summary

Must-Try Traditional Qingdao Dishes

Seafood Dumplings

Seafood Dumplings
  • Introduction: Seafood Dumplings are a proud specialty of Qingdao, renowned across the world. These dumplings are more than just a dish—they are a symbol of Qingdao’s maritime heritage. The filling consists of fresh seafood from the waters surrounding Qingdao, including mackerel, yellow croaker, cuttlefish, and shrimp.
  • Chinese Name: 海鲜水饺
  • Pinyin: Hai Xian Shui Jiao
  • Main Ingredients: Various types of seafood
  • Typical Meal Times: Lunch and dinner
  • Recommended Season: Year-round
  • Shuangheyuan Seafood Dumplings (Qingdao Cuisine – Chain Brand)
    • Address: 8-2, Renmin 2nd Road, Shibei District, Qingdao ( Apple Maps/Amap )
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
    • Average Price: 78 RMB

Crispy Fried Chicken

Crispy Fried Chicken
  • Introduction: Crispy Fried Chicken is a dish with irresistible charm, so popular that its preparation has spread to cities like Jinan and Yantai. When served, the golden, crispy skin becomes the center of attention. The texture is crisp without being greasy, and the flavor is so addictive, you won’t be able to stop eating.
  • Chinese Name: 香酥鸡
  • Pinyin: Xiang Su Ji
  • Main Ingredients: Chicken
  • Typical Meal Times: Lunch and dinner
  • Recommended Season: Year-round
  • Chunhelou
    • Address: 146 Zhongshan Road, Shinan District, Qingdao ( Apple Maps/Amap )
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 9:30 AM – 9:30 PM
    • Average Price: 84 RMB

Laoshan Mushroom Stewed Chicken

Laoshan Mushroom Stewed Chicken
  • Introduction: Laoshan Mushroom Stewed Chicken is a dish that captivates you with its rich aroma as soon as it hits the table. The chicken is tender, and the Laoshan mushrooms are smooth and delicate, dancing on your taste buds and taking you on a delightful journey of flavors.
  • Chinese Name: 崂山菇炖鸡
  • Pinyin: Lao Shan Gu Dun Ji
  • Main Ingredients: Young rooster, Laoshan mushrooms
  • Typical Meal Times: Lunch and dinner
  • Recommended Season: Year-round
  • Dawan Yujiayan
    • Address: Dongmai Kiln, Dawan Yujiayan, Laoshan District, Qingdao ( Apple Maps/Amap )
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM
    • Average Price: 93 RMB

Qingdao Pork Belly Cracklings

Qingdao Pork Belly Cracklings
  • Introduction: Qingdao Pork Belly Cracklings, or “Zhi Zha”, are made through an elaborate process. It takes 5 pounds of pork to extract just 1 pound of cracklings, making it a rather labor-intensive dish. When you take a bite of these cracklings, you’ll experience a chewy texture similar to beef jerky, making it a unique and satisfying snack.
  • Chinese Name: 青岛脂渣
  • Pinyin: Qing Dao Zhi Zha
  • Main Ingredients: Pork belly, oil, cumin powder
  • Typical Meal Times: Snack
  • Recommended Season: Year-round
  • Island Jiangjia Zhi Zha (Zhongshan Road Branch)
    • Address: 79 Zhongshan Road, Shinan District, Qingdao ( Apple Maps/Amap )
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
    • Average Price: 38 RMB

Chicken Soup Wontons

Chicken Soup Wontons
  • Introduction: Chicken Soup Wontons are a comforting dish where the delicate chicken broth is lovingly simmered to create a rich, aromatic soup. Each plump wonton is filled with a delightful blend of pork and seasonings, and the clear broth is pure magic, with a delicate, flavorful taste that will leave you hooked after the first spoonful.
  • Chinese Name: 鸡汤馄饨
  • Pinyin: Ji Tang Hun Tun
  • Main Ingredients: Wheat flour, lean pork, leek shoots, seaweed
  • Typical Meal Times: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
  • Recommended Season: Year-round
  • Xiaoqingqingjia Wonton Restaurant (Taidong 8th Road Branch)
    • Address: 36A Taidong 8th Road, Shibei District, Qingdao ( Apple Maps/Amap )
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
    • Average Price: 22 RMB

Spicy Stir-fried Clams

Spicy Stir-fried Clams
  • Introduction: As a coastal city, Qingdao’s seafood is a highlight of its cuisine. Spicy Stir-fried Clams, one of Qingdao’s signature seafood dishes, has earned love from foodies for its savory flavor and unique spicy kick. Fresh clams are stir-fried quickly with Qingdao’s special chili and seasonings, preserving the tender texture of the clams while infusing them with a fragrant, spicy heat that’s irresistible.
  • Chinese Name: 辣炒蛤蜊
  • Pinyin: La Chao Ga Li
  • Main Ingredients: Clams, chili, green onion
  • Typical Meal Times: Lunch and dinner
  • Recommended Season: Year-round
  • Muslim Laomajia Seafood Snack Booth (Taidong 8th Road Branch)
    • Address: 23 Taidong 8th Road, Shibei District, Qingdao ( Apple Maps/Amap )
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
    • Average Price: 108 RMB

Cold Jelly with Vegetables

Cold Jelly with Vegetables
  • Introduction: During the hot summer months, a bowl of Cold Jelly with Vegetables is the perfect refreshing treat to cool off and quench your thirst. Made from a type of seaweed unique to Qingdao called “Shihua Cai,” the jelly is translucent, bouncy, and smooth. It’s served with garlic, vinegar, sesame oil, and other seasonings to create a deliciously sour and spicy flavor that’s incredibly refreshing.
  • Chinese Name: 冻菜凉粉
  • Pinyin: Dong Cai Liang Fen
  • Main Ingredients: Jelly
  • Typical Meal Times: Lunch and dinner
  • Recommended Season: Year-round
  • Bohai Restaurant (Lu Xun Garden Branch)
    • Address: 25 Laiyang Road, Shinan District, Qingdao ( Apple Maps/Amap )
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10:30 AM – 3:30 PM, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
    • Average Price: 92 RMB

Grilled Squid

Grilled Squid
  • Introduction: Qingdao’s Grilled Squid is made from freshly caught squid, which is carefully marinated and grilled over charcoal. The result is a crispy outer layer, while the inner meat remains juicy and tender. The smokey, grilled flavor combined with the savory marinade makes this a favorite street snack.
  • Chinese Name: 烤鱿鱼
  • Pinyin: Kao You Yu
  • Main Ingredients: Squid
  • Typical Meal Times: Snack
  • Recommended Season: Year-round
  • Wangjie Barbecue
    • Address: 113 Zhongshan Road, Shinan District, Qingdao ( Apple Maps/Amap )
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
    • Average Price: 28 RMB

Pork Ribs with Rice

Pork Ribs with Rice
  • Introduction: In Qingdao, Pork Ribs with Rice is a hearty, down-to-earth dish full of warmth and flavor. The pork ribs are simmered for hours until the meat is tender and juicy, releasing a rich, savory aroma. Paired with fragrant, sticky rice that absorbs all the delicious juices, this dish is comforting and satisfying.
  • Chinese Name: 排骨米饭
  • Pinyin: Pai Gu Mi Fan
  • Main Ingredients: Pork ribs, rice
  • Typical Meal Times: Lunch and dinner
  • Recommended Season: Year-round
  • Wanhechun (Taidong 8th Road Branch)
    • Address: 66 Taidong 8th Road, Shibei District, Qingdao ( Apple Maps/Amap )
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
    • Average Price: 24 RMB

Three-Delicacy Potstickers

Three-Delicacy Potstickers
  • Introduction: The Three-Delicacy Potstickers are a specialty snack in Qingdao, Shandong Province, and are part of the Lu cuisine. These potstickers are carefully crafted and delicious. They are typically filled with pork, shrimp, and seasonal vegetables, and their shape resembles that of dumplings. Known for their crisp texture and savory taste, these potstickers are a must-try among Qingdao’s famous street foods.
  • Chinese Name: 三鲜锅贴
  • Pinyin: San Xian Guo Tie
  • Main Ingredients: Pork, flour, shrimp
  • Typical Meal Times: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
  • Recommended Season: Year-round
  • Zhongpinlao Fangzi Pot Sticker Tianmo (Head Office)
    • Address: 111-15 Yanji Road, Shinan District, Qingdao ( Apple Maps/Amap )
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 06:45 AM – 8:00 PM
    • Average Price: 22 RMB

Sugar Balls (Tangqiu)

Sugar Balls
  • Introduction: Sugar Balls, also known as Tanghulu, are a traditional Chinese street snack made by threading wild fruits onto a skewer and coating them with maltose syrup, which hardens quickly when exposed to air. In northern China, this treat is commonly seen in the winter and is often made with hawthorn berries. The sugar coating becomes crispy, creating a sweet and sour flavor that’s both refreshing and satisfying.
  • Chinese Name: 糖球
  • Pinyin: Tang Qiu
  • Main Ingredients: Sugar, hawthorn, various fruits
  • Typical Meal Times: Snack
  • Recommended Season: Year-round
  • Gaojia Sesame Tangqiu (Jiahe Road Branch)
    • Address: Xinglong Road Residential District, Jiahe Road, Shibei District, Qingdao ( Apple Maps/Amap )
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 09:00 AM – 9:00 PM
    • Average Price: 17 RMB

Tsingtao Beer

Qingdao Beer
  • Introduction: Tsingtao Beer, one of China’s oldest beer brands, is brewed with high-quality barley, rice, premium hops, and Laoshan mineral water. The result is a clear, transparent beer with fine, white foam and a uniquely refreshing taste.
  • Chinese Name: 青岛啤酒
  • Pinyin: Qing Dao Pi Jiu
  • Typical Meal Times: Beverage
  • Recommended Season: Year-round
  • Available at all restaurants and supermarkets
    • Average Price: 3 RMB

Laoshan Cola

Laoshan Cola
  • Introduction: Laoshan Cola is China’s first carbonated drink, with a unique blend of traditional Chinese herbal ingredients. Compared to Coca-Cola and Pepsi, Laoshan Cola is less sweet and has fewer bubbles, offering a more subtle taste. It’s definitely worth trying.
  • Chinese Name: 崂山可乐
  • Pinyin: Lao Shan Ke Le
  • Typical Meal Times: Beverage
  • Recommended Season: Year-round
  • Available at all restaurants and supermarkets
    • Average Price: 3 RMB