Hello, everyone! I’m Emma Lee, a foreign food blogger living in China. Since arriving here, I’ve been captivated by the rich and colorful food culture. Whether it’s street food or high-end restaurants, I love to explore and share these unforgettable culinary adventures. Today, I will take you deep into the food paradise of Xiamen to discover the city’s most drool-worthy dishes!

Summary

Must-Try Traditional Xiamen Cuisine

Satay Noodles

Satay Noodles
  • Introduction: Satay Noodles are undoubtedly one of Xiamen’s most iconic dishes, resembling a romantic encounter between the sea and land. The rich satay broth, silky and enveloping firm noodles and various seafood, teases the taste buds with every bite, as if embracing Xiamen’s gentle caress. The noodles are springy and smooth, the satay sauce rich and fragrant, complemented by a variety of toppings like shrimp, duck blood, and tofu, making every bite satisfying.
  • Chinese Name: 沙茶面
  • Pinyin: Sha Cha Mian
  • Main Ingredients: Noodles, satay sauce, shrimp, pork, squid, bean sprouts
  • Typical Meal Times: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
  • Recommended Season: All year round
  • Sili Satay Noodles (Imperial Palace Branch)
    • Address: No. 371 Xiahe Road, Siming District, Xiamen (Apple Map/Amap)
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 07:00-20:00
    • Average Price: 15 RMB
  • Satay Lin (Taizi Mountain Villa Branch)
    • Address: No. 3 Taizi Mountain Villa, Wanshou Road, Siming District, Xiamen (Apple Map/Amap)
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 16:30-21:30
    • Average Price: 19 RMB

Ginger Duck

Ginger Duck
  • Introduction: Ginger Duck is a traditional dish known for its nourishing properties. Slow-cooked in a pot, the robust heat of ginger melds with the rich flavor of duck, creating a comforting melody that fills the air with fragrance. The tender meat is succulent yet not greasy, warming the stomach and heart, a ray of warm sunlight in the winter days.
  • Chinese Name: 姜母鸭
  • Pinyin: Jiang Mu Ya
  • Main Ingredients: Duck meat, old ginger, rice wine, soy sauce, star anise
  • Typical Meal Times: Lunch and dinner
  • Recommended Season: All year round
  • Baijia Chun Haodelai Ginger Duck
    • Address: No. 40 Zhongxing Road, Siming District, Xiamen (Apple Map/Amap)
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 08:00-21:00
    • Average Price: 57 RMB

Sea Worm Jelly

Sea Worm Jelly
  • Introduction: Sea Worm Jelly is a distinctive traditional snack of Xiamen. Crystal clear and reminiscent of pearls in the ocean, each bite is tender and springy, offering a fresh oceanic and subtly sweet taste that is uniquely Xiamen’s offering. The main ingredient is a type of worm—delicious though it may sound off-putting, it is irresistibly tasty once tried.
  • Chinese Name: 土笋冻
  • Pinyin: Tu Sun Dong
  • Main Ingredients: Sea worm (Tusun worm), ginger, garlic
  • Typical Meal Times: Snack
  • Recommended Season: All year round
  • Lao Er Shikou Sea Worm Jelly (Hong Kong Plaza Flagship Store)
    • Address: No. 296 Xiahe Road, Siming District, Xiamen (Apple Map/Amap)
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 08:00-22:00
    • Average Price: 34 RMB

Oyster Omelet

Oyster Omelet
  • Introduction: The Oyster Omelet is one of Xiamen’s signature snacks and a must-try for visitors. Beneath the golden-brown exterior lies the fresh taste of oysters mixed with the richness of eggs, each bite a heartfelt homage to the sea. Made from top-quality “pearl oysters” and combined with local Tungan starch and fresh garlic or coriander, it’s crispy and utterly delicious.
  • Chinese Name: 海蛎煎
  • Pinyin: Hai Li Jian
  • Main Ingredients: Oysters, eggs, sweet potato flour, green garlic, coriander
  • Typical Meal Times: Snack
  • Recommended Season: All year round
  • Yubao’s Wife
    • Address: No. 91 University Road, Siming District, Xiamen (Apple Map/Amap)
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10:30-15:00, 17:00-21:00
    • Average Price: 58 RMB

Braised Pork Rice Dumpling

Braised Pork Rice Dumpling
  • Introduction: Braised Pork Rice Dumpling is a traditional delicacy in Xiamen, renowned for its unique preparation and delicious taste. The combination of glutinous rice, fatty pork, mushrooms, salted egg yolks, and other ingredients are skillfully blended and simmered for hours, releasing an irresistible aroma and offering a melt-in-your-mouth experience.
  • Chinese Name: 烧肉粽
  • Pinyin: Shao Rou Zong
  • Main Ingredients: Glutinous rice, pork belly, mushrooms, dried shrimp, peanuts
  • Typical Meal Times: Snack
  • Recommended Season: All year round
  • 1980 Braised Pork Rice Dumpling (Sibei Branch)
    • Address: No. 8 Hubin West Road, Xiecheng Mansion F1 Unit 108, Siming District, Xiamen (Apple Map/Amap)
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 09:00-22:00
    • Average Price: 24 RMB

Peanut Soup

Peanut Soup
  • Introduction: Peanut Soup is another classic dessert from Xiamen. Made with high-quality peanuts slowly simmered to perfection, the soup is rich and creamy, offering a comforting sweetness that can relieve fatigue and bring happiness with every sip.
  • Chinese Name: 花生汤
  • Pinyin: Hua Sheng Tang
  • Main Ingredients: Peanuts, rock sugar
  • Typical Meal Times: Snack
  • Recommended Season: All year round
  • Sibei Peanut Soup
    • Address: No. 64-101 Siming North Road, Lujiang Residential District, Shuanglianchi Community, Siming District, Xiamen (Apple Map/Amap)
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 07:00-03:00
    • Average Price: 10 RMB

Five-Spice Pork Rolls

Five-Spice Pork Rolls
  • Introduction: Five-Spice Pork Rolls are a traditional snack with a Minnan flavor from Fujian province. The outer crust is crispy, while the inside is tenderly packed with well-seasoned pork and water chestnuts, emitting a fragrance that makes it an irresistible street food delight.
  • Chinese Name: 五香条
  • Pinyin: Wu Xiang Tiao
  • Main Ingredients: Pork, tofu skin, five-spice powder
  • Typical Meal Times: Lunch and dinner
  • Recommended Season: All year round
  • Bashi Ajie Wuxiang
    • Address: Intersection of Kaihe Road and Danshui Alley, Siming District, Xiamen (Apple Map/Amap)
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 06:30-20:30
    • Average Price: 9 RMB

Grass Jelly Dessert

Grass Jelly Dessert
  • Introduction: Grass Jelly Dessert is a refreshing treat from Southern Fujian and Taiwan, ideal for cooling off during the hot summer months. This dessert is made from grass jelly, which is known for its cooling properties, and is often served with peanuts, red beans, green beans, taro balls, and condensed milk, offering a smooth, refreshing taste that cleanses the heat and beautifies the skin.
  • Chinese Name: 烧仙草
  • Pinyin: Shao Xian Cao
  • Main Ingredients: Grass jelly, red beans, peanuts, taro balls, condensed milk
  • Typical Meal Times: Snack
  • Recommended Season: All year round, especially summer
  • Senshan Grass Jelly (Sibei Branch)
    • Address: No. 149-102 Siming North Road, Siming District, Xiamen (Apple Map/Amap)
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10:00-02:00
    • Average Price: 16 RMB

Xiamen Spring Roll

Xiamen Spring Roll
  • Introduction: Xiamen Spring Roll, traditionally known as ‘spring roll’ or ‘spring pancake,’ involves wrapping various fillings like bamboo shoots, peas, bean sprouts, tofu, shredded eggs, fish, shrimp, minced meat, oysters, and shredded carrots in a thin pancake. This dish is a versatile favorite, enjoyed as a meal or a light snack.
  • Chinese Name: 厦门薄饼
  • Pinyin: Xia Men Bo Bing
  • Main Ingredients: Spring roll wrappers, tofu, bean sprouts, peanut powder, shredded carrots
  • Typical Meal Times: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
  • Recommended Season: All year round
  • Hei Ming Spring Roll
    • Address: No. 296-1352 Xiahe Road, Siming District, Xiamen (Apple Map/Amap)
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 09:00-22:00
    • Average Price: 8 RMB

Fish Balls

Fish Balls
  • Introduction: Fish Balls are a celebrated specialty of Xiamen, renowned for their fresh taste and unique preparation process. Made from finely chopped fresh fish, mixed with starch and egg whites, these balls are noted for their elasticity and delicious flavor. They are versatile enough to be used in hot pots or enjoyed on their own.
  • Chinese Name: 鱼丸
  • Pinyin: Yu Wan
  • Main Ingredients: Fish meat (mackerel, snapper), starch, egg whites, salt
  • Typical Meal Times: Lunch, dinner
  • Recommended Season: All year round
  • Huang Yu Lan Fish Balls
    • Address: No. 75 Zhongshan Road, Siming District, Xiamen (Apple Map/Amap)
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 09:30-23:00
    • Average Price: 33 RMB

Four-Fruit Soup

Four-Fruit Soup
  • Introduction: Four-Fruit Soup has a long history and is a famous summer dessert from Southern Fujian. This cold dessert is beloved for its ability to reduce heat, featuring ingredients such as red beans, barley, tapioca pearls, grass jelly, and coconut milk. It offers a delightful cooling effect during the hot months.
  • Chinese Name: 四果汤
  • Pinyin: Si Guo Tang
  • Main Ingredients: Red beans, barley, tapioca pearls, grass jelly, coconut milk
  • Typical Meal Times: Snack
  • Recommended Season: All year round, especially in summer
  • Chuan Bo Four-Fruit Soup
    • Address: No. 375 Yuhou Beili, Yundang Street, Siming District, Xiamen (Apple Map/Amap)
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10:30-22:00
    • Average Price: 10 RMB

Taro Cake

Taro Cake
  • Introduction: Taro Cake is a traditional snack in Xiamen, especially popular during the New Year. Made with taro as the main ingredient wrapped around a filling, it should be eaten hot for its fresh and savory taste, further enhanced with Xiamen’s sweet and spicy sauces.
  • Chinese Name: 芋包
  • Pinyin: Yu Bao
  • Main Ingredients: Taro, glutinous rice flour, mushrooms, dried shrimp, pork belly
  • Typical Meal Times: Snack
  • Recommended Season: All year round
  • Yubao’s Wife
    • Address: No. 91 University Road, Siming District, Xiamen (Apple Map/Amap)
    • Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10:30-15:00, 17:00-21:00
    • Average Price: 58 RMB

Essential Xiamen Travel Resources