Five Smelliest Snacks You Must Try in Beijing

Snack Attack: The Five Smelliest Snacks to Be Had in Beijing

Irene Li, Associate Editor | Aug 3, 2022 1:19 pm | Add a comment | 424 reads

Snack Attack is your weekly guide to the sometimes smelly, sometimes flavorful, sometimes odd munchies to be had in the capital.

There are snacks you can find in Beijing that smell so good they make your mouth water and tummy rumble with excitement. Then there are snacks that smell so stinky they'll make you want to plug your nose and run before even trying them. But the truth is that sometimes, smells can be quite deceiving. Here's a list of Beijingers' favorite snacks that smell bad but actually taste pretty good.

卤煮 Lǔzhǔ

Luzhu is a stinky, stringy bowl of pork liver and lungs. This dish is most famous for having a smell that can only be described as the smell of old socks. You’d think that the smell would turn most Beijingers away, but turn away they do not. Luzhu is a super-popular breakfast food that many Beijingers cannot live without. Some love the chewy textures of pig’s intestines, while others can’t get enough of the garlicky flavor of the liver.

皮蛋 Pídàn

Also known as century eggs, pidan are eggs that have been preserved in clay and ash for several months are not something everyone wants to try. Although the smell can be a little bit strong for conservative eaters, the texture of pidan is very soft, making it a perfect summer dish for many Beijingers.

Mádòufu 麻豆腐

Madoufu, not to be confused with 麻婆豆腐 Mápó Dòufu, is a classic Beijing snack that's been around as early as the Ming Dynasty. Even though this dish is made from the remnants of the mung bean fermentation process, and so can be a bit stinky, when seasoned with mutton oil and other seasonings like chilli it can actually be quite pleasant. Because some still shy away from the use of mutton oil due to its scent, many servers will kindly offer the choice to substitute it with vegetable oil instead. However, true Beijingers will never say no to mutton oil because this is the most authentic way to eat the dish!

Chòu Dòufu 臭豆腐

Aka Stinky Tofu, this name says it all. The smell of the fermented bean curd is enough to scare many people away. However, people in Beijing love to put stinky tofu atop fried bread and for those who can stand the smell, the dish really does taste like heaven.

芥末墩儿 Jièmò dūn ér

Jièmò dūn ér is another classic that many Beijing residents love. Some people simply hate this dish because they can never stand the irritating, pungent odor that's quite similar to wasabi. However, for those who are big fans, they love the depth of taste and effect that jièmò dūn ér has on their noses.

In the past, when winter came and families began to prepare food, jièmò dūn ér was one of the most common things you would find on a Chinese household's dinner table. Although the dish has become less popular these days, as there are many more food choices available, it still holds an endearing spot in many Beijingers’ hearts.