Four Winter Snacks That Beijingers Can't Live Without

Irene Li, Associate Editor | Dec 1, 2022 11:19 am | Add a comment | 645 reads

When colder weather hits the capitals, Beijingers love to spend long winter days filling up their bellies with a plateful of winter snacks. These snacks not only satisfy every craving the stomach ever has, but also evoke childhood memories of enjoying them.

Baked sweet potatoes 烤红薯 Kǎo hóngshǔ

For many Beijingers -- as well as many Northerners in China -- baked sweet potatoes are definitely the star of show during the winter months. In the past, you would find many a Beijing 大爷 Dàyé selling these roasted potatoes in every nook and cranny of the capital's hutong alleys. These hot sweet potatoes, usually put on tin buckets with charcoal fire inside to cook them, are a beloved Beijing winter snack that is fragrant, fluffy and sweet.

Although nowadays it is getting increasingly harder for those residing in Beijing to find their familiar roasted sweet potato stalls, they are still one of the most classic snacks to warm your entire body up.

Sugar roasted chestnuts 糖炒栗子 Táng chǎo lìzǐ

Some say you can smell this popular street snack from far away. Warm and soft roasted chestnuts, covered in a shiny sugar coating, are usually sold in sugar-stained paper bags. These popular snacks are spotted everywhere in Beijing streets and are time-honored favorites among many locals.

***Tanghulu* 糖葫芦 *Tánghúlu***

Of course, a list of some of the most classic Beijing winter snacks won’t be complete without a mention of tanghulu, a traditional Beijing snack that is made of a string of bright red hawthorn berries generously drizzled in sugar glaze on a wooden stick.

Although air conditioners and fridges now mean that tanghulu is available in all seasons, they are still considered to be a snack that is traditionally eaten in winter.

Frozen Persimmons 冻柿子 Dòng shìzi

In old Beijing, frozen persimmons were cheap treats for every kid from late fall to winter. As temperatures began to drop, persimmons would be laid outside on window sills and when the time came, the frozen persimmon would be taken indoors to feed the eagerly-awaiting mouths. The frozen persimmon would be put into a bowl of cold water to thaw, and all one had to do to enjoy this treat would be to use a spoon to take a flavorful bite.