Best Halal Food in Beijing: Niu Street Muslim Street Food Guide and Authentic Traditions
[Internet Repost]
Check out these 25 photos from my day of eating my way through the Niu Street Muslim snack district in Beijing with a good friend. We hit up the century-old Zhengxingde tea house for their traditional paper-wrapped scented tea, swung by the stalls for Hongji and Baiji niangao (sticky rice cakes), tried the Yibao lotus leaf-steamed zhengao (steamed sticky rice cake), and grabbed some hot, authentic Beijing-style halal food.
Had some free time.
Suddenly got the urge to explore, so I hit up my bestie and we headed straight for Niu Street.
Once we got there and looked around, it was wall-to-wall people buying all kinds of snacks.
I really wanted to grab some niangao, zhagao (fried dough cakes), lamb skewers, and deli meats, but the lines were at least an hour long, so I decided to pass.
I was too chicken to try the baodu fen (tripe with vermicelli). I've never had it in my life and wasn't really feeling it, and honestly, it didn't look like the people eating it were having an amazing time either.
I poked my head into the Niu Street Muslim tea shop, Zhengxingde. I’m a huge fan of their cold-brewed osmanthus oolong tea; you can get half a jin (250g) for 150 RMB, and they wrap it up the old-school way with paper and string.
Jinfang was absolutely packed, so I just took a photo from a distance. I’m obsessed with their yuanxiao (sweet sticky rice balls). Every flavor is a winner—the filling and the dough are just perfect. If you’ve had them, you know: it’s that kind of authentic, unforgettable taste that keeps you craving more. No need to say too much, I’ll definitely be back for the Lantern Festival to grab my fix.
Right next door is Yueshengzhai, and their fat beef is my absolute favorite.
I took a stroll through the Niu Street Halal Food Market. It had that classic, old-school grocery store vibe—super nostalgic.
Jubaoyuan is always popping no matter which location you go to; it’s hands down the best for hotpot, and the meat quality is top-tier. I took photos of their menu and hours, but since it was super busy today, I’ll come back for hotpot when it’s less crowded.
I snapped a photo of Hongji from across the street and headed over there later.
We walked toward Shuru Hutong where it was a bit quieter. It wasn't completely empty, and some shops still had lines, especially the ones selling various shaobing (baked flatbreads) and baozi (steamed buns).
There were also fresh beef and lamb shops and meat markets lined up one after another.
Manji had a massive line too.
After walking around and getting tired, I headed back toward Hongji and bought some cumin-flavored gezihe (crispy fried mung bean crepes).
Finally, I popped into a beef noodle shop, slurped down a bowl, and called it a day.
Check out these 25 photos from my day of eating my way through the Niu Street Muslim snack district in Beijing with a good friend. We hit up the century-old Zhengxingde tea house for their traditional paper-wrapped scented tea, swung by the stalls for Hongji and Baiji niangao (sticky rice cakes), tried the Yibao lotus leaf-steamed zhengao (steamed sticky rice cake), and grabbed some hot, authentic Beijing-style halal food.
Had some free time.
Suddenly got the urge to explore, so I hit up my bestie and we headed straight for Niu Street.
Once we got there and looked around, it was wall-to-wall people buying all kinds of snacks.
I really wanted to grab some niangao, zhagao (fried dough cakes), lamb skewers, and deli meats, but the lines were at least an hour long, so I decided to pass.
I was too chicken to try the baodu fen (tripe with vermicelli). I've never had it in my life and wasn't really feeling it, and honestly, it didn't look like the people eating it were having an amazing time either.
I poked my head into the Niu Street Muslim tea shop, Zhengxingde. I’m a huge fan of their cold-brewed osmanthus oolong tea; you can get half a jin (250g) for 150 RMB, and they wrap it up the old-school way with paper and string.
Jinfang was absolutely packed, so I just took a photo from a distance. I’m obsessed with their yuanxiao (sweet sticky rice balls). Every flavor is a winner—the filling and the dough are just perfect. If you’ve had them, you know: it’s that kind of authentic, unforgettable taste that keeps you craving more. No need to say too much, I’ll definitely be back for the Lantern Festival to grab my fix.
Right next door is Yueshengzhai, and their fat beef is my absolute favorite.
I took a stroll through the Niu Street Halal Food Market. It had that classic, old-school grocery store vibe—super nostalgic.
Jubaoyuan is always popping no matter which location you go to; it’s hands down the best for hotpot, and the meat quality is top-tier. I took photos of their menu and hours, but since it was super busy today, I’ll come back for hotpot when it’s less crowded.
I snapped a photo of Hongji from across the street and headed over there later.
We walked toward Shuru Hutong where it was a bit quieter. It wasn't completely empty, and some shops still had lines, especially the ones selling various shaobing (baked flatbreads) and baozi (steamed buns).
There were also fresh beef and lamb shops and meat markets lined up one after another.
Manji had a massive line too.
After walking around and getting tired, I headed back toward Hongji and bought some cumin-flavored gezihe (crispy fried mung bean crepes).
Finally, I popped into a beef noodle shop, slurped down a bowl, and called it a day.
