Hengshui lies on the Central Hebei Plain. Its cuisine retains strong local characteristics while absorbing diverse flavors from other regions, forming an inclusive and distinctive culinary style.

Hengshui barbecue is widely renowned. The mutton is marinated in advance, resulting in succulent, fragrant grilled meat with an inviting aroma lingering all around. RaoYang Golden Thread Noodles are another local delicacy. Made from mung beans, wheat, sesame seeds, white sugar, egg whites and sesame oil, these noodles feature a fresh, delicate taste. They are also easy to store and carry, winning great popularity among local people.

Most snacks in Hengshui are wheat-based. Tasting local specialties such as Qiankun Meat Pie, Shoe-sole Sesame Cake and Gucheng Smoked Meat from street stalls is truly a delightful experience.

With a cultivation history of nearly 2,000 years, Shenzhou honey peaches are mainly grown in Shen County, Hebei Province. They are large in size, weighing about 250 grams each, with an elegant shape. The pale yellow skin is tinged with bright red. The fruit has thin skin, tender flesh, abundant juice and a sweet flavor. Since ancient times, there has been a saying: "Among northern peaches, those from Shenzhou are the finest." During the Ming and Qing dynasties, they were presented to the imperial court as tribute peaches. There are more than ten varieties of Shenzhou honey peaches, among which Red Honey and White Honey are the top two.

In the late Qing Dynasty, an imperial eunuch surnamed Li from Suning would always buy Golden Thread Noodles in Raoyang on his way back to the capital after visiting his hometown, presenting them as tributes for the emperor. Since then, the noodles became an imperial tribute.

Mung beans, wheat and sesame seeds are ground into fine flour, then mixed with sesame oil, white sugar, egg whites and an appropriate amount of water to form dough, which is left to rest. The rested dough is rolled into an ultra-thin sheet. Once it cools slightly to a pliable state — neither dry nor sticky — the sheet is folded and cut into fine shreds. The finished noodles are golden, translucent and thread-like. They have a long shelf life, stay intact after boiling, and deliver a fresh, refreshing taste.

Produced in Zaoqiang, Hebei Province, Yingpi is crafted from premium furs including Northeast yellow weasel fur, leopard cat fur, fine wool sheepskin from Chengde, plateau sheepskin, rabbit fur and Taihang goatskin. Its production consists of primary and deep processing.

Raw hide processing involves selecting materials, soaking, paring, degreasing and washing. Fur garment making includes sorting and grading materials, matching fur sections, cutting and sewing. Careful material selection is fundamental to guaranteeing quality. The finished fur products feature soft hide, smooth lining, even elasticity and neat stitching. The fine fur feels gentle, presenting an elegant appearance with harmonious colors and excellent cold resistance.

A specialty of Zaoqiang County, Hengshui City, the shoe-sole sesame cake dates back to Song Shanzhuang (1895–1969), a local resident. In the early years of the Republic of China, he set up a baking stove at the entrance of Song Family Alley on the east side of the southern old cross street in Zaoqiang County. He made three types of sesame cakes back then: unleavened round cakes covered with sesame seeds that puff up like fried pastries after baking, leavened round cakes without sesame, and the iconic shoe-sole sesame cake.

Gucheng smoked meat boasts a long history. It is elaborately made from fresh pork and beef with dozens of Chinese medicinal herbs and seasonings. The finished product has a reddish-brown color, tender skin and soft meat with consistent flavor throughout. It is rich but not greasy, and lean portions are tender to chew, with a mellow, aromatic taste. It helps stimulate appetite, dispel cold, aid digestion and boost health.

Smoked pigeon, another specialty here, uses high-quality meat pigeons. It turns golden red after smoking, with a strong smoky aroma, rich flavor and high nutritional value.

Famous locally, Gucheng smoked meat is also sold well in surrounding cities including Hengshui and Shijiazhuang, serving as a top choice for banquets and gifts.