Preserved mustard greens are a time-honored local specialty of Huizhou. Golden in color, fragrant, sweet and crisp with a mild neutral nature (neither heating nor cooling the body), they have long been known as the "Balancing Vitality Vegetable". Braised pork cooked with these greens is mouth-watering, refreshing and never greasy.

This delicacy is stuffed with glutinous rice, shiitake mushrooms, lotus seeds, dried shrimp, squid, diced pork, salted duck eggs and other fillings inside a whole duck. The duck undergoes blanching, slow stewing and steaming through elaborate procedures. It delivers rich, inviting aroma and tender, silky meat.

Pronounced "Lian Xiao" in the local Huizhou dialect, Lian cake is rooted in Huizhou’s traditional customs. Red Lian cakes are steamed for happy events while white ones are prepared for funerals. When a newborn turns one month old, the maternal grandmother makes red Lian cakes to celebrate. After a newlywed couple visits the bride’s family, red Lian cakes are served as a return gift. They are also steamed for Guanyin worship gatherings held during traditional festivals.

A legendary Huizhou snack, Hengli rice noodle soup once boasted rows of bustling shops and dominated the local food scene for decades. Its signature exclusive broth, simmered with fresh shrimp, pork marrow bones and pork meatballs, is what made it famous and earned it a spot among Huizhou’s Top Ten Famous Snacks. The most authentic traditional version simply uses flat rice noodles paired with marinated eggs, beef brisket and pork knuckles; some stalls also add pork intestines as an extra topping.

Countless long-standing snack shops line Huizhou’s streets and alleys, offering warm comfort amid the bustling cityscape. These unassuming eateries feature simple decor and modest sanitation conditions, yet locals keep coming back for their one-of-a-kind nostalgic flavors. Below is a curated list of 10 classic time-honored snack shops to take you back to unforgettable traditional tastes.

This decades-old dessert shop at No.5 Shangtang Street, Qiaodong has been passed down through two generations since its opening in July 1991, operating for 23 years. Over nearly a quarter-century, its sweet soups have won consistent praise from neighborhood residents. When locals in Qiaodong talk about sweet soup, Wo Kee is always the first name that comes to mind. Address: Under Guoli Building, Qiaodong

A three-generation-old Huizhou institution, it carries the collective taste memories of long-term Huizhou residents. Local media food columns and CCTV food programs have featured this decades-hidden gem, proving good food needs no flashy location. For more than 30 years, the shop has stuck to fully handcrafted methods: rolling dough and wrapping wontons by hand to ensure silky smooth wonton wrappers. Its enduring popularity stems from the family’s dedication to preserving ancestral cooking secrets. Signature Dishes: Beef brisket tossed noodles, sparerib tossed noodles, soybean paste noodles, wolfberry pork offal soup Address: No.34 Caiyuandun, Huicheng District

Operating for almost 20 years, this beloved congee stall is a core childhood memory for many Qiaodong locals. Its thick, creamy congee comes loaded with generous fillings—preserved egg & lean pork congee is a crowd favorite, paired perfectly with crispy fried dough sticks. The stall also serves stir-fried river clams, stir-fried river snails, rice rolls and stir-fried rice noodles, guaranteeing a hearty, satisfying meal. Address: Diagonally opposite Xinhua Bookstore on Pedestrian Street

The fragrant aroma drifts far down Jindai Street. An elderly vendor sells beef offal from his mobile cart, standing at the alley entrance rain or shine for over a decade. The tender offal simmers in his secret spicy sauce, bursting with rich flavor. Food lovers often remark: "One skewer only costs one yuan—delicious and affordable; such cheap tasty beef offal is hard to find these days!" Address: Entrance of Jindai Street

Founded in 1991 with a 22-year history, its signature Aunt Qin soybean paste noodles have left lasting taste impressions on countless locals. Highly recommended are the soybean paste noodles and beef brisket noodles: the savory soybean paste is deeply flavorful, while the slow-braised beef brisket is ultra-tender, tasting exactly like childhood comfort food. Signature Dishes: Aunt Qin soybean paste noodles, Uncle Ming beef brisket, spicy oil wontons Main Store Address: Snack Street behind Huadu Cinema on Pedestrian Street Mai Di Branch Address: No.23-7 Maixing Road (opposite the villa zone at North Gate of Shengping Garden)

With over a decade of history, Chu Kee is the fruit of two generations’ hard work. More than just a flavor landmark for residents of Xiatang Street, it fosters close bonds among neighbors. Must-tries include the roasted squab with crispy fragrant skin and tender meat, plus deeply flavorful pork neck. Address: No.12 Xiatang Street, Qiaodong (near Xiabantang Market)

A well-known neighborhood eatery in Xiajiao with more than ten years in business. Its handmade thin egg noodles offer satisfying chewiness, topped with plenty of green onions for an aromatic broth. All braised items are cooked with premium raw ingredients, savory without being cloying. Address: Opposite No.15 Primary School, Xiajiao

Happiness lies in contentment; love means weathering life’s ups and downs side by side. Tucked on East Gate Street is a tiny stall run by an elderly couple. Their simple joy comes from selling every clay pot stew each day, offering gentle warmth to passersby after dark. Their slow-cooked herbal stews are absolutely fantastic. Main Store Address: East Gate Street, Qiaodong Branch Address: No.1 Qianyuan Street, Qiaodong, Huicheng District (directly opposite No.2 City Primary School)

Older generations all remember this shop on old Shuimen Street. Its steamed rice rolls are made from house-milled rice batter, releasing pure natural rice fragrance even without sauce; free of additives, the rice rolls are soft and fragile. The house sweet sauce takes the flavor to another level. Steamed rice noodles are crafted from high-quality rice, naturally pale yellow and prone to breaking—this unadulterated authentic taste is why the shop has stood the test of time. Signature Dishes: Chives dumplings, steamed rice rolls Address: Main Shuimen Street

When Huizhou locals crave wontons, Shun Kou Wonton Shop is always their first choice. Ultra-thin translucent wrappers enclose hearty pork fillings, seasoned with secret pickled chili sauce that retains its classic timeless flavor. Signature Dishes: Wontons, braised meat platters Address: Entrance of Guoqing Road Commercial Pedestrian Street, Shuimen

There are many other renowned old snack shops worth visiting, such as Yang Kee Stew Shop, Huikang Rice Noodle Shop, Wen Yi Breakfast Shop and neighborhood sweet soup stalls. I especially recommend Xin Xin Ice Fruit Shop near the former No.8 Middle School (my alma mater!). A Taiwanese elderly chef here makes affordable, mouthwatering Taiwanese minced pork rice—so popular that it sells out instantly after school.

Nevertheless, these long-standing eateries now face multiple challenges: hidden hard-to-reach alley locations with limited parking; overemphasis on food flavor at the expense of service quality; dilution of core recipes when owners open branches and delegate management; price hikes that upset regular customers—all obstacles slowing their development. Still, I believe the warm support of Huizhou residents will keep these beloved old shops alive. I hope a dedicated time-honored snack street can be built with official certification for heritage eateries, preserving these classic flavors for generations to come!