Xiamen Food & Zhongshan Street

Xiamen, China - A Foodie Paradise 厦门

Christopher KL Lau

Xiamen is increasingly becoming a well known and popular tourist destination in China. The city has grown economically over the years and now is a vibrant hub for visitors from around China and increasingly, the world.

Xiamen is flourishing as a coastal port city and while it is growing at a rapid rate, it still retains its quaint historical charm.

From the moment you arrive in Xiamen, the sense of calm and friendliness is overwhelming and infectious.

Xiamen, China. — The center of Xiamen seen from the sea

Food is cheap in Xiamen, China. — Food is cheap in Xiamen, Fujian Province

Foodie Paradise

Aside from the friendly character of the people and the various sights to visit; Xiamen has slowly become acclaimed as a foodie paradise with plenty to select and chose from with everything from local delights to seafood fresh from the sea to sample and snack on. Every other corner of the bustling streets of Xiamen has somewhere to try and gorge on specialty food.

The staple of Xiamen cuisine is Fujianese cuisine which is the province (Fujian) where Xiamen is located. Due to the proximity of Taiwan, and the historical influence of Chaozhou and Shantou foods, Xiamen cuisine has evolved with its own unique taste and flavour.

Snack Street. — Food Stall on Snack Street

Xiamen Seafood

As Xiamen is a port city; seafood is one of the main attractions in Xiamen and a majority of the restaurants have a diverse range of seafood to choose from.

Eager food lovers should head down to Zhongshan Lu (Zhongshan Road) which is the main central pedestrian street in Xiamen. This area is a mixture of gift shops, street hawker zones and restaurants and every single eatery is an unique experience.

For those who like seafood then they can sample the delights of deep fried squid, octopus and scallops doused in oil which actually adds to the flavour and of course, cholesterol levels. Another local favourite are the oysters which can be made into an omelette and again drenched in Oyster sauce!

Fried Squid and Octopus, Xiamen, China. — Fried Squid and Octopus

Steamed Oysters in Xiamen, China. — Steamed Oysters in Xiamen, Fujian Province

Xiamen is also famous for its street food specialities such as Sha Cha Mian (Satay Noodles), Tu Shun Dong (Sandworm Jelly), Fishballs and Sweet Peanut Soup (Xiamen Peanut Soup). As Zhongshan Lu has so many street vendors, it is actually possible to try different varieties of the same food as you venture into the many market areas or indoor food halls.

Zhongshan Lu. — Zhongshan Lu is a mixture of gift shops, street hawker zones and restaurants

Gulang Yu

Off the beaten track is the island of Gulang Yu which is a twenty minute boat ride away from the city itself. The island is a sleepy, yet heritage-filled area where tourists can wander around slowly at their own pace and to their hearts' content.

Gulang Yu is dotted with coffee shops and cafes where visitors can relax and chill out. The island has a 'Southern European' feel due to the sub-tropical-like climate which can be found here.

There are still many old style buildings which are still immaculate due to restoration and maintenance since the 'boom' days when Gulang Yu was a trading hub.

Deep fried octopus, Xiamen, China. — Deep fried octopus in Xiamen

Xiamen has a diverse choice of food to select from. — Xiamen has a diverse range of food to choose from

Transportation around Xiamen is relatively straight forward and taxis are the best method from getting one place to another as cab fares are not expensive.

The city also offers a whole range of luxury yet affordable five to six star hotels which are located very close to the city centre. China has many cities which should be sampled by those who love trying different types of food. One of the places to go is definitely Xiamen, this little jewel of a city on China's south coast.

Xiamen is famed for its peanut flavoured noodles and snacks. — Xiamen is famed for its peanut flavoured noodles and snacks

Xiamen Essentials

Xiamen International Airport is 12 kilometers north east from central Xiamen and connects the city with many other Chinese cities including Beijing, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Macau, as well as some international destinations including Bangkok, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Nagoya, Osaka, Penang, Seoul, Singapore and Tokyo.
Flights from Beijing to Xiamen take around 2 hours.
Trains are not recommended as it currently takes around 34 hours from Beijing West Railway Station (K306/K307).
Xiamen Island and Gulangyu Island are connected by ferry.
Taxis are metered and the fare from the airport into town is around 30-40 RMB.
Xiamen Egret Stadium is a modern 60,000 capacity stadium originally built for the 2023 Asian Cup