China's 5 Most Popular Street Foods

1. Food in Spicy Boiled Water — warming winter food malatang Chinese name: 麻辣烫 Málàtàng /maa-laa-taang/'numbing spicy broth' Taste: savory and spicy soup Main ingredients: various vegetables, meatballs, tofu, noodles…. Average price: 1–3 yuan for a skewer Malatang is spicy and hot, and it is very popular in winter. The food is skewered up like for street barbeque, but it is cooked in boiling spicy broth. The stall: The foodstreet is displayed in a glass case or just in front of the stall. Preparation: Pick what you want and the retailer will boil it in the broth. After the food is done, the skewer (or noodles) will be served in a paper bowl. You can make a meal of vegetables, meat balls, and noodles for about 10 yuan.

2. Stinky Tofu — an acquired taste!Street Food 2018 stinky tofu Chinese name: 臭豆腐 chòu dòufu /choh doh-foo/ 'stinking bean curd' Taste: savory and spicy sauces Main ingredients: fermented soybean curd Average price: 4 yuan for five 3cm stinky tofu cubes Stinky tofu is very unique among street food. Some people can't get past its smell, as its rancid spicy stench can be stomach turning. It's an acquired taste, like blue cheese. Many reject it at first, but when they have a bite, they fall in love with stinky tofu. The stall: The vendor has a small wok with plenty of hot oil to deep-fry the stinky tofu in. It's served in a paper bowl. The brown sauce is usually spicy and salty, and it's supplemented wonderfully with chopped green onion and parsley.

3. Chicken and Duck Feet — uniquely Chinese chicken feet Chinese name: 鸡爪鸭爪 jīzhuǎyāzhuǎ /jee-jwaa yaa-jwaa/'chicken claw duck claw' Taste: savory and spicy Main ingredients: chicken/duck feet, pepper Average price: 40 yuan per kilo(about 3 yuan per foot) You may wonder why Chinese eat chickens' and ducks 'feet. Reasons range from wastage reduction, to an appreciation for the texture, to myths about health benefits. It is a typical Chinese street food that you will rarely find in other countries. The flavor can be pickled chili, barbeque sauce, salted, or fried, but always spicy. How it's served: The feet are typically displayed behind a glass window. There may also be some steamed/boiled lotus roots or potatoes on offer too. This is a cold dish and in some restaurants they can be served as an appetizer.

4. Cold Rice Noodles — popular in summer.Asia Food Street Good cold rice noodle Chinese name: 凉皮 Liángpí /lyang-pee/ 'cool skin' Taste: salty, spicy sauces; a little sour Main ingredients: rice flour Average price: 5–8 yuan Cold rice noodles are very popular in summer, but can also be served heated in winter. The smooth taste and spicy sauce will whet your appetite. Preparation: The vendor cuts a big rice flour sheet into thin strips, which look like transparent ribbons. They are stirred in a big bowl with spicy sauces and other side dishes like bean sprouts, soy sauce, shredded cucumber, and fried peanuts. If you don't like spicy food, you can ask the seller not to add chili sauce.

5. Sugarcoated Haws— Chinese toffee apples,Thailand Street Food tanghulu Chinese name: 糖葫芦 tánghúlu /taang-hoo-loo/ 'sugar bottle gourd' Taste: sweet (and sour) Main ingredients: haws or fruits like apples, strawberries, pineapples, grapes, oranges, or kiwi fruits; syrup made from rock candy Average price: 3–7 yuan per skewer Sugarcoated haws are a traditional Chinese food, loved by kids in China. The fruits are skewered on a stick and dipped in sugary syrup, and can look very beautiful. When sour fruit is covered by the sweet crisp coating, you can have a sweet and sour experience with each bite. The "stall": Sugarcoated "haws" skewers are usually stuck in a straw "head", fixed on a pole held by the vendor. Or in some snack streets, they just display them in a glass case. This snack has developed from being just haws to any fresh fruits, like apples, strawberries, or oranges.