Hello! I’m Emma Lee, a foreign food blogger who has been living in China for several years. Over the past few years, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to explore the streets, food markets, and fine dining establishments all across China. Each food adventure has deepened my fascination with Chinese culinary culture. Whether it’s a bustling street food stall or a refined high-end restaurant, I love experiencing and sharing it all with you. This time, I’m taking you to the “Ice City” of Northeast China—Harbin—to discover the authentic local dishes you absolutely cannot miss. Join me on a delicious journey through Harbin’s food scene!

Summary

Must-Try Traditional Harbin Dishes

Sweet and Sour Pork

Sweet and Sour Pork
  • Introduction: Sweet and Sour Pork, or Guo Bao Rou, is a classic Harbin dish. Marinated pork tenderloin is coated in a batter, deep-fried until golden and crispy, then stir-fried with a savory-sweet sauce. The result is a crunchy exterior with a tender interior, bursting with flavor. This dish is a must-have at many banquets and an iconic part of the local cuisine.
  • Chinese Name: 锅包肉
  • Pinyin: Guo Bao Rou
  • Main Ingredients: Pork tenderloin, eggs
  • Typical Meal Times: Lunch and dinner
  • Recommended Season: Year-round
  • Lao Chujia (Songlei Branch)
    • Address: 6F, Songlei Commercial Building, 329 Dong Dazhi Street, Nangang District, Harbin (Apple Maps / Amap)
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10:30 AM – 9:00 PM
    • Average Price: 55 RMB
  • Zhiyin Restaurant
    • Address: 1F, Jin Hua Building, 41 Han Guang Street, Nangang District, Harbin (Apple Maps / Amap)
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 9:00 AM – 9:30 PM
    • Average Price: 45 RMB

Pork and Cabbage Stew

Pork and Cabbage Stew
  • Introduction: Pork and Cabbage Stew, also known as Sha Zhu Cai, originated as a traditional dish eaten in rural Northeast China during the annual pig slaughter. Today, it’s a beloved dish found in many restaurants. The stew contains a variety of cuts of pork, including pork belly, and is simmered with pickled cabbage and blood sausage. The combination of flavors is rich and hearty, making it a truly satisfying dish.
  • Chinese Name: 杀猪菜
  • Pinyin: Sha Zhu Cai
  • Main Ingredients: Pork belly, pickled cabbage, blood sausage
  • Typical Meal Times: Lunch and dinner
  • Recommended Season: Year-round
  • Fugui Butcher Food (Jixing Shangzhu Shop)
    • Address: 54 Anxiang Street, Daoli District, Harbin (Apple Maps / Amap)
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10:30 AM – 9:00 PM
    • Average Price: 47 RMB

Stir-fried Potatoes, Eggplants, and Peppers

Stir-fried Potatoes, Eggplants, and Peppers
  • Introduction: Stir-fried Potatoes, Eggplants, and Peppers, also known as Di San Xian, is a classic home-style dish from Heilongjiang. This dish uses fresh eggplant, potatoes, and green peppers, which are simply stir-fried to bring out the natural flavors of the vegetables, creating a harmonious and delicious combination.
  • Chinese Name: 地三鲜
  • Pinyin: Di San Xian
  • Main Ingredients: Potatoes, eggplant, green peppers
  • Typical Meal Times: Lunch and dinner
  • Recommended Season: Year-round
  • Chengcheng Laosongbin (Central Street Branch)
    • Address: 3 Jingwei 5th Street, Daoli District, Harbin (Apple Maps / Amap)
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
    • Average Price: 75 RMB

Large Jelly Noodles

Large Jelly Noodles
  • Introduction: Large Jelly Noodles, or Da La Pi, is a popular dish in Harbin, often referred to locally as “stir-fried meat jelly noodles.” Made from a blend of potato starch and cassava starch, these noodles are similar to the cold noodles commonly eaten in other regions. Stir-fried with shredded meat, this dish is an excellent appetizer and a perfect match for a cold beer.
  • Chinese Name: 大拉皮
  • Pinyin: Da La Pi
  • Main Ingredients: Cassava starch, potato starch, sweet potato starch
  • Typical Meal Times: Lunch and dinner
  • Recommended Season: Year-round
  • Lao Chujia (Central Street Branch)
    • Address: 3rd Floor, Balasi Food City, 55 West 7th Street, Daoli District, Harbin (Apple Maps / Amap)
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10:30 AM – 9:00 PM
    • Average Price: 75 RMB

Crispy Yellow Vegetables

Crispy Yellow Vegetables
  • Introduction: Crispy Yellow Vegetables, or Su Huang Cai, is a traditional dish from Harbin. Eggs are made into a pancake, coated with batter, and deep-fried until crispy. The result is a sweet, crispy treat that is popular among all ages, from children to adults. It’s a favorite dessert or snack in many Harbin restaurants.
  • Chinese Name: 酥黄菜
  • Pinyin: Su Huang Cai
  • Main Ingredients: Eggs, starch
  • Typical Meal Times: Lunch and dinner
  • Recommended Season: Year-round
  • Laobei Si Tongyi Muslim Dumplings Restaurant (Taigu New World Fengrunyuan Shop)
    • Address: 266 Jingyu South 6th Street, Daowai District, Harbin (Apple Maps / Amap)
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
    • Average Price: 63 RMB

Fragrant Stir-fried Pork with Two Sections

Fragrant Stir-fried Pork with Two Sections
  • Introduction: Fragrant Stir-fried Pork with Two Sections, or Xiang Liu Shuang Duan, is a famous dish in Northeast China and a specialty of Harbin. The term “two sections” refers to the use of pork tenderloin and fresh shrimp. These ingredients are marinated, coated in batter, deep-fried, and then stir-fried. The result is a deliciously crispy and fragrant dish, with a perfect balance of flavors.
  • Chinese Name: 香溜双段
  • Pinyin: Xiang Liu Shuang Duan
  • Main Ingredients: Pork tenderloin, shrimp, green and red peppers
  • Typical Meal Times: Lunch and dinner
  • Recommended Season: Year-round
  • Bosom Friend Restaurant
    • Address: 1st Floor, Jinhua Mansion, 41 Hanguang Street, Nangang District, Harbin (Apple Maps / Amap)
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 9:00 AM – 9:30 PM
    • Average Price: 45 RMB

Harbin Red Sausage

Harbin Red Sausage
  • Introduction: Harbin Red Sausage, introduced from Tsarist Russia, is a specialty of Heilongjiang with nearly a century of history. The sausage is deep red in color, made primarily from pork and hog casings. Although it appears wrinkled on the outside, it is rich in smoky flavor. When you take a bite, the crispy skin cracks, revealing firm, chewy meat. The smoky, savory, and garlic flavors fill your mouth, making it even more delicious the more you chew.
  • Chinese Name: 哈尔滨红肠
  • Pinyin: Ha Er Bin Hong Chang
  • Main Ingredients: Pork, starch, salt, sausage casing
  • Typical Meal Times: Snack
  • Recommended Season: Year-round
  • Restaurants and Supermarkets
    • Average Price: 40 RMB

Large Rye Bread

Large Rye Bread
  • Introduction: Large Rye Bread, or Da Lie Ba, is a unique type of bread from Harbin. It has a crisp, hard exterior with a soft, fluffy interior. This bread is best enjoyed with jam or butter, though be mindful of its large size!
  • Chinese Name: 大列巴
  • Pinyin: Da Lie Ba
  • Main Ingredients: White flour, whole wheat flour, eggs
  • Typical Meal Times: Snack
  • Recommended Season: Year-round
  • Churin Lead Foods (West 13 Shop)
    • Address: 57 Shangzhi Street, Daoli Vegetable Market, Daoli District, Harbin (Apple Maps / Amap)
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
    • Average Price: 30 RMB

Iron Pot Stew

Iron Pot Stew
  • Introduction: Iron Pot Stew, or Tie Guo Dun, is a quintessential dish from Northeast China. It showcases the authenticity of rural cuisine with fresh ingredients and a unique cooking method. The dish typically combines meats, vegetables, and noodles all cooked together in a large iron pot, resulting in a flavorful and hearty meal.
  • Chinese Name: 铁锅炖
  • Pinyin: Tie Guo Dun
  • Main Ingredients: Pork, fish, chicken, goose, cornmeal cakes, green beans, potatoes, sauerkraut, vermicelli
  • Typical Meal Times: Lunch and dinner
  • Recommended Season: Year-round
  • Gaoliang Hongliao Iron Pot Stew (Tongjiang Street Branch)
    • Address: 59 Tongjiang Street, Daoli District, Harbin (Apple Maps / Amap)
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
    • Average Price: 58 RMB

Stir-fried Three Varieties

Stir-fried Three Varieties
  • Introduction: Stir-fried Three Varieties, or Liu San Yang, is a classic Northeast dish, typically made with pig liver, pig kidneys, and pork intestines. This dish is not only popular in restaurants but is also a must-have on many families’ tables during the Chinese New Year.
  • Chinese Name: 溜三样
  • Pinyin: Liu San Yang
  • Main Ingredients: Pig stomach, pig liver, pig intestines, green chili
  • Typical Meal Times: Lunch and dinner
  • Recommended Season: Year-round
  • Laobei Si Tongyi Muslim Dumplings Restaurant (Taigu New World Fengrunyuan Shop)
    • Address: 266 Jingyu South 6th Street, Daowai District, Harbin (Apple Maps / Amap)
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
    • Average Price: 63 RMB

Stir-fried Pork Cubes

Stir-fried Pork Cubes
  • Introduction: Stir-fried Pork Cubes, or Liu Rou Duan, is a traditional dish from Northeast China known for its crispy exterior and tender interior. The dish is loved for its savory, crispy texture, and is a common staple on the dining tables of local families.
  • Chinese Name: 溜肉段
  • Pinyin: Liu Rou Duan
  • Main Ingredients: Pork, starch
  • Typical Meal Times: Lunch and dinner
  • Recommended Season: Year-round
  • Xin Huanyuan Flavor Snack
    • Address: 10th Subsection of Jingwei 4th Street, Daoli District, Harbin (Apple Maps / Amap)
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10:30 AM – 7:30 PM
    • Average Price: 33 RMB

Little Chicken Stew with Mushrooms

Chicken Stew with Mushrooms
  • Introduction: Little Chicken Stew with Mushrooms, or Xiao Ji Dun Mo Gu, is a beloved home-style dish in Northeast China. On cold days, a pot of this stew can warm both the body and the heart. The chicken is tender and flavorful, while the hazel mushrooms absorb the rich broth. Mixing the stew with rice creates a comforting and delicious meal.
  • Chinese Name: 小鸡炖蘑菇
  • Pinyin: Xiao Ji Dun Mo Gu
  • Main Ingredients: Chicken, hazel mushrooms
  • Typical Meal Times: Lunch and dinner
  • Recommended Season: Year-round
  • Cuijia Chicken Restaurant
    • Address: 17 North 10th Street, Daowai District, Harbin (Apple Maps / Amap)
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
    • Average Price: 51 RMB

Madier Ice Cream

Madeer Ice Lolly
  • Introduction: Madier Ice Cream, or Ma Die Er Bing Gun, is a famous frozen treat from Harbin Central Street, known for its sweet, milky flavor. Unlike typical ice cream, it’s made with more milk and eggs and contains no chemical foaming agents. The ice cream is both rich and aromatic, providing a smooth and refreshing experience.
  • Chinese Name: 马迭尔冰棍
  • Pinyin: Ma Die Er Bing Gun
  • Main Ingredients: Milk, eggs
  • Typical Meal Times: Snack
  • Recommended Season: Year-round
  • Madier Cold Drink Hall (Harbin Central Street Branch)
    • Address: 89 Zhongyang Street, Daoli District, Harbin (Apple Maps / Amap)
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
    • Average Price: 6 RMB

Changbai Cake

Changbai Cake
  • Introduction: Changbai Cake, or Chang Bai Gao, has a soft, moist texture with a thin layer of dry powder on the outside and a creamy filling inside. The cake combines the chewiness of bread with the delicacy of cream, creating a sweet yet not-too-heavy treat that’s hard to resist.
  • Chinese Name: 长白糕
  • Pinyin: Chang Bai Gao
  • Main Ingredients: Egg yolk, fine sugar
  • Typical Meal Times: Snack
  • Recommended Season: Year-round
  • Laodingfeng (Central Flagship Store)
    • Address: 100 Zhongyang Street, Zhongyang Shopping Mall B1, Daoli District, Harbin (Apple Maps / Amap)
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 9:30 AM – 8:30 PM
    • Average Price: 13 RMB

Essential Harbin Travel Resources