A Food Lover’s Guide to Pingyao: Must-Try Dishes & Local Eateries

Pingyao, a UNESCO-listed Ancient City in Shanxi Province, China, is not only a treasure trove of Ming- and Qing-dynasty architecture but also a paradise for food enthusiasts. From hearty noodles to vinegar-infused delicacies, here’s a structured guide to help international travelers savor Pingyao’s culinary highlights.

1. Breakfast Essentials: Start Your Day Right

Recommended Dishes:

• Beef Shaobing (牛肉火烧): Flaky pastry stuffed with tender shredded beef, a savory morning staple.
• Scallion Pancake (葱花烙饼): Crispy, layered pancakes brushed with garlic chives and oil.
• Tofu Pudding with Broth (豆腐脑): Silky tofu served in a savory soup with pickles, peanuts, and chili oil.
• Millet Porridge (小米粥): Warm, comforting porridge paired with pickled vegetables.

Where to Eat:

• Local Stalls: Try breakfast vendors near the South Gate or along Ming-Qing Street for authentic, budget-friendly options.
• Tianyuankui Restaurant (天元奎饭店): This 27-year-old eatery offers breakfast classics alongside its famous lunch/dinner dishes.

2. Lunch & Dinner: Hearty Classics

Must-Try Dishes:

• Beef Hot Pot (牛肉铜火锅): A signature dish where thinly sliced Pingyao beef is simmered in a copper pot with vegetables, mushrooms, and tofu.
  • Best at: Tianyuankui Restaurant (南大街73号) or Hongwuji Restaurant (洪武记饭店, 南大街84号).
• Vinegar-Marinated Pork (过油肉): Crispy pork slices stir-fried with black fungus, garlic, and Shanxi aged vinegar.
• Long Dragon Eggplant (长龙茄子): Fried eggplant slices coated in a sweet-sour glaze, resembling a crispy “dragon scale.”
• Fried Wonton with Vinegar (蘸醋馄饨): Delicate pork wontons dunked in a tangy vinegar-based sauce.

Dinner Specials:

• Old Vinegar Beef Stew (老醋焖牛肉): Slow-cooked beef in rich vinegar broth, available at Hongwuji Restaurant.
• Glutinous Rice Cake with Jujube Sauce (黄米凉糕): Sweet, chilled rice cakes drizzled with date syrup.

3. Street Food & Snacks: On-the-Go Delights

Top Picks:

• Pingyao Beef (平遥牛肉): Buy vacuum-packed slices from “Guanyun” stores (政府街28号) as souvenirs.
• Cold Wontos (凉拌碗托): Chewy wheat or buckwheat jelly noodles tossed in chili oil, vinegar, and garlic.
• Bubble Oil Cake (泡泡油糕): Deep-fried sweet cakes filled with red bean paste or jujube.
• Chrysanthemum tea with Vinegar (陈醋酸奶): A quirky local drink blending yogurt with Shanxi vinegar (try at Liang Xiansen’s Yogurt Shop 西大街35号).

Snack Spots:

• Night Market Stalls: Near the South Gate, sample grilled skewers, fried dough sticks, and spicy tofu.
• Dongfanghong Noodle House (东方红老汤牛肉面): A汽车站-area spot for beef noodles in herbal broth (中都东街63号).

4. Iconic Restaurants & Hidden Gems

5. Cultural Tips for Dining

• Vinegar Culture: Shanxi people love vinegar! Add it liberally to noodles, soups, and even desserts.
• Bargaining: Haggle politely for street food or souvenirs like Lacquerware.
• Etiquette: Remove shoes before entering traditional courtyard restaurants.
• Avoid Tourist Traps: Skip overpriced “net red” stalls; opt for local-frequented spots like Tianyuankui.

6. Sample 3-Day Food Itinerary

Day 1:

• Breakfast: Beef shaobing + millet porridge at a street vendor.
• Lunch: Beef hot pot at Tianyuankui.
• Dinner: Vinegar beef stew + glutinous rice cake at Hongwuji.
• Snack: Chrysanthemum vinegar yogurt at Liang Xiansen’s.

Day 2:

• Breakfast: Scallion pancake + tofu pudding near the County Government Office.
• Lunch: Hand-pulled noodles with spicy tofu at Renzaibeifang.
• Dinner: Cold wontos + bubble oil cake from a night market.

Day 3:

• Breakfast: Fried wonton with vinegar at a local café.
• Lunch: Beef noodle soup at Dongfanghong.
• Snack: Vacuum-packed Pingyao beef from Guanyun Store.

Final Tip: Wander Ming-Qing Street after dark for lively food stalls and a glimpse of Pingyao’s vibrant nightlife. Pair your meal with a bottle of local pear wine (平遥果酒) for an authentic finish!