Hi, I’m Emma Lee, a foreign food blogger living in China. Xiamen’s food scene is rooted in Minnan flavors, with seafood, shacha noodles, savory snacks, and sweet desserts among the easiest ways to taste the city. This guide covers the dishes worth trying, what they taste like and what they’re made from, plus recommended places to eat them.

Summary

Must-Try Traditional Xiamen Cuisine

Satay Noodles

Satay Noodles

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 CNY
  • 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 CNY

Ginger Duck

Ginger Duck

Ginger Duck is a traditional Minnan dish in which duck is slowly cooked with plenty of ginger. The long simmering brings together the spicy aroma of ginger and the rich flavor of the duck, leaving the meat tender and savory without feeling overly greasy. Served hot, it is especially satisfying in cooler weather.

  • 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 CNY

Sea Worm Jelly

Sea Worm Jelly

Sea Worm Jelly is a distinctive traditional snack found across southern Fujian and is especially common in Xiamen. Crystal clear and springy, it has a mild oceanic flavor. Its main ingredient is a type of sipunculid worm, which may look unusual to first-time visitors but gives the jelly its characteristic texture.

  • 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 CNY

Oyster Omelet

Oyster Omelet

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 CNY

Braised Pork Rice Dumpling

Braised Pork Rice Dumpling

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 CNY

Peanut Soup

Peanut Soup

Peanut Soup is a traditional dessert from southern Fujian and a common sweet in Xiamen. Peanuts are simmered until soft in a lightly sweetened soup, giving it a rich peanut aroma, creamy texture, and gentle sweetness. It works well as either a snack or dessert.

  • 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 CNY

Five-Spice Pork Rolls

Five-Spice Pork Rolls

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 CNY

Grass Jelly Dessert

Grass Jelly Dessert

Grass Jelly Dessert is a popular treat in southern Fujian and Taiwan. Made with grass jelly and commonly paired with toppings such as peanuts, red beans, taro balls, and condensed milk, it has a smooth texture and is especially enjoyable served chilled in hot weather.

  • 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 CNY

Xiamen Spring Roll

Xiamen Spring Roll

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 CNY

Fish Balls

Fish Balls

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 CNY

Four-Fruit Soup

Four-Fruit Soup

Four-Fruit Soup is a long-established summer dessert from Minnan. Served cold, it commonly combines red beans, Job’s tears, tapioca pearls, grass jelly, and coconut milk, often with crushed ice. It has a light sweetness and a mix of soft and chewy textures.

  • 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 CNY

Yubao (Stuffed Taro Dumpling)

Yubao (Stuffed Taro Dumpling)

Yubao is a traditional Xiamen snack made with a thin taro-based wrapper around a savory filling. The filling commonly includes pork, shrimp, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and water chestnuts. It is steamed and best eaten hot, often with a sweet-spicy sauce or shacha sauce.

  • Chinese Name: 芋包
  • Pinyin: Yu Bao
  • Main Ingredients: Taro, pork, shrimp, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, water chestnuts
  • 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 CNY

How to plan your Xiamen trip

Most travelers spend 3–4 days in Xiamen to explore the city highlights and Gulangyu Island. If you want to extend your journey to Fujian Tulou or nearby cities like Quanzhou and Zhangzhou, a 5–6 day itinerary offers a more in-depth experience. Here are our most popular private tour options:

Essential Xiamen Travel Resources