Restaurant
Quanjude (Qianmen)
The first branch of Beijing's best-known roast duck restaurant, founded on Qianmen in 1864 and still roasting ducks in hanging ovens over hardwood fires.
Huguosi Snacks (Huguosi Street)
The founding branch of Beijing's best-known traditional snack shop, set up in 1956 on Huguosi Street and serving more than 100 halal Beijing snacks.
At a glance
- Type
- Traditional Beijing halal snacks
- Area
- Huguosi, Xicheng, Beijing, China
- Price
- $ · Budget
Good to know
- Founding branch
- More than 100 traditional snacks
- Budget
Why we recommend it
Huguosi Snacks is one of the easiest ways to taste old Beijing street food in one place. Its headquarters and founding branch are at 93 Huguosi Street in Xicheng district, and the Beijing government lists it among the city's time-honoured brands. The snack bar was set up in 1956, when the city government brought together traditional snack makers under one roof, and it has since grown into a chain.
The street's food tradition is much older. According to Beijing's official tourism resource site, Huguosi Street grew out of the temple fair held at Huguo Temple during the Qing dynasty on the eighth day of each lunar month. The temple itself dates back to the Yuan dynasty, when the site was the mansion of a Yuan prime minister, and was repaired and renamed in 1722.
The menu runs to more than 100 traditional halal Beijing snacks, which are recognised as part of the city's intangible cultural heritage. Look for wandouhuang, a pale yellow pea flour cake; aiwowo, steamed glutinous rice cakes with a sweet filling; lüdagun, soybean flour rolls; honey twists; and chatang, a sweet millet paste. The shop also serves douzhi, a fermented bean drink, and jiaoquan, crisp fried dough rings, both listed among the street's classic snacks.
The best approach is to choose several small items to share and try a range of textures and flavours. Prices are low, so this is an ideal stop for budget travellers, families and anyone curious about Beijing food beyond roast duck. It works as breakfast, a light lunch or an afternoon snack.
Chatang, despite its name, contains no tea. It is made from pre-cooked millet or sorghum flour over which boiling water is poured, traditionally from a long-spouted copper kettle, and a skilled server makes it thick enough for a chopstick to stand upright, topped with sugar and sweet osmanthus jam.
Huguosi Street is also home to Fuhuazhai, a pastry shop founded by a retired Qing imperial cook that preserves palace pastry techniques, so you can compare halal snacks with court-style sweets. The Beijing government's 2025 food walk suggests continuing south to Xisi, where several other time-honoured brands, including Huatian Yanji for cold noodles and Qingfeng for steamed buns, are a short walk away.
Huguosi Snacks (Huguosi Street) FAQs
When was Huguosi Snacks founded?
In 1956, when the city government brought traditional snack makers together on Huguosi Street.
Where is the original branch?
At 93 Huguosi Street, Xicheng District.
What should I try?
Wandouhuang pea cake, aiwowo, lüdagun soybean rolls, honey twists, chatang and douzhi with jiaoquan.
Is the food halal?
Yes. It serves traditional halal Beijing snacks.
How many snacks are on the menu?
More than 100.
Is it expensive?
No. It is a budget option.
What is douzhi?
A fermented bean drink, one of the classic Huguosi snacks.
What is nearby?
Fuhuazhai pastry shop on the same street and Xisi's time-honoured restaurants to the south.