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Chinese Canteen Food Tour: Beijing's Local Eats

A TYPICAL CANTEEN IN CHINA | What food do Chinese people eat? 🇨🇳

Destination:ChinaCity:BeijingPopulation: 21.5 million
A TYPICAL CANTEEN IN CHINA | What food do Chinese people eat? 🇨🇳
Matt and Julia21 min

A TYPICAL CANTEEN IN CHINA | What food do. This was filmed by Matt and Julia. Watch the full journey and explore the filming details and destinations on this page.

Heading to a Chinese 'Dacanting' or canteen to try some typical Chinese food and discover what average Chinese people eat. You can find Dacanting (餐厅 or traditional Chinese canteens) all over China, from bustling cities like Beijing to smaller towns and villages. They are the best place to try local favourites at affordable prices.

--- Matt and Julia
December 14, 2024, Winter in China

Travel Guides & Tips in this video

Matt and Julia visit a Beijing Dacanting, a local canteen where diners choose dishes and pay by weight. They try vegetables, greens, meat and a century egg, whose chewy texture and flavor surprise them. The canteen is busy at lunchtime, but free rice, soup and other sides add to the meal. They compare the variety and pricing with canteens in post-Soviet countries and say the food is good, varied and affordable. Their bill is 111 yuan.

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A TYPICAL CANTEEN IN CHINA | What food do Chinese people eat? 🇨🇳

Choosing dishes at a Beijing canteen

Matt and Julia visit a Beijing Dacanting, or local canteen, during the lunchtime rush. They choose dishes from the counters and pay by weight, letting them put several items on one plate. The selection includes vegetables, greens, meats and tofu. They also try a century egg; its chewy, firm texture and a taste they compare with hair dye make it the most challenging part of the meal.

The pair look at the range of dishes before selecting what appeals to them. They find the food quality good and the variety broad, with many vegetables and meat options. Free rice and soup are available, and the canteen may also offer bread or other side dishes. The rush is intense, reflecting how popular these places are with people working nearby.

Price and everyday dining

The meal costs 111 yuan, which the source compares with about $15 or 10 pounds. Matt and Julia see the canteen as an affordable way to try many kinds of Chinese food and observe an everyday dining experience. They compare the choices and prices with canteens in post-Soviet countries, noting the difference in variety and cost.

They reflect on how customers customize a meal by selecting foods themselves and paying for the amount chosen. The visit shows how a neighborhood canteen serves people during a busy workday, with free rice and soup adding to the value. The travelers’ meal includes unfamiliar items as well as vegetables and meat, and the century egg remains the dish they remember most distinctly.

FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)

Q: What was the century egg like?
A: Matt describes the texture as chewy and firm. The taste reminds him of hair dye, which he does not enjoy.
Q: How did they find the food quality and variety?
A: Matt and Julia say the food tastes really good and point out the wide variety on offer. They try different vegetables, greens and meat options, with enough choices to build a plate around what appeals to them. Their meal shows how much variety a Beijing canteen can offer.
Q: How much did their meal cost?
A: The meal cost 111 yuan, which the source equates to about $15 or 10 pounds. They consider that a good price for the variety and quality.

Previous travel video:

Chinese Canteen Food Tour: Beijing's Local Eats

Heading to a Chinese 'Dacanting' or canteen to try some typical Chinese food and discover what average Chinese people eat. You can find Dacanting (餐厅 or traditional Chinese canteens) all over China, from bustling cities like Beijing to smaller towns and villages. They are the best place to try local...

Beijing Canteen: Authentic Chinese Food Tour

Matt and Julia take you on a culinary adventure to a typical Chinese canteen, a 'Dacanting', to experience authentic Chinese cuisine. They explore the diverse dishes enjoyed by everyday Chinese people, highlighting the affordability and local flavors found in these ubiquitous eateries. From bustling Beijing to smaller towns, these canteens offer a genuine taste of China.