Who Says You’re too Old to Play with Your food?
From meaty, cumin-scented lamb skewers to sweet, candied hawthorns, Beijing is filled with food on a stick. These fork-free dishes are perfect for strolling, sharing, dipping or indulging. If you’ve ever cooked over a campfire or savored a popsicle, then you remember that hand-held food is fun for all ages.
Local Flavors
Head to Qianmen or Nanluoguxiang to start, and grab some lamb skewers, “whirlwind” potatoes, squid or sausages on a stick.

Cumin-rubbed lamb skewers are a must try.

Called “whirlwind” or “cyclone” potatoes, think of them like fresh potato chips on a stick, seasoned with salt and pepper.

Choose your squid and have it cooked to order.
For the truly adventurous, there are scorpions, silkworm larvae and tarantulas, perhaps best left for capturing with your camera and not your taste buds.

They’re mostly a gimmick, but you’ll find scorpions and tarantulas too. See the starfish in the back?
For an experience that’s a little more off the beaten path, head to Xinmin market (subway stop Guloudajie) and spend the morning exploring the produce, spices and wet market. When hunger strikes, look for the ma la tang stand selling a variety of skewers including mushroom bundles, quail eggs, meatballs, broccoli, lettuce, noodles and much more. Don’t worry – there’s no menu to decipher; just point to a skewer that looks good and give it a try. For just a few kuai a skewer, it’s a fun, affordable outing.

Tofu, potatoes and broccoli are my favorites. Choose “spicy” or ”non-spicy.”
Travel the Globe
Don’t limit yourself to Chinese food. Beijing has a whole world of flavors just waiting for you to try. Grab a map and start checking off your destinations. At Athena Greek restaurant the Chicken Souvlaki comes on a suspended skewer.
Nearby Alameen offers a platter of mixed Lebanese kebabs, and a taste of Turkey is just a hop, skip and a jump away at Turkish Feast.
Branch out from curries at your favorite Indian restaurant with a skewer of cheese-like paneer or head to NomNom in Haidian District for Indonesian mutton or beef Satay with a side of Sambal Kecap, sweet soy sauce mixed with chilies and shallots. And of course, don’t forget to stop in Thailand for some peanut-y Chicken Satay.
If you’d rather take cooking into your own hands, Café Zarah offers Cheese Fondue every evening after 6pm. Each bowl of melted cheese-y goodness comes with crunchy cubes of bread, vegetables, cornichons and a bowl of pineapple.

A cozy evening at Cafe Zarah.

Cheese fondue.
Sweet Endings
Winter is the season for tanghulu, those shiny, sugary fruit sticks decorating the city like ornaments.
Round red hawthorns are the most popular, but you’ll also find grapes, kiwi slices and Chinese yams. There are even some Santa-themed ones with marshmallows and strawberries.

Freshly dipped in molten sugar water gives fruit a crackly, sweet finish.

Santa-themed fruit skewers.
Keep an eye out for purple sticky rice dipped in sugar or waffles on a stick that spell “I Love Beijing” in Chinese characters.

Warm glutinous rice dipped in sugar makes a filling snack.

Waffles on a stick make it easy to snack and stroll.
Find your zodiac sign fashioned in sugar candy or grab a stick full of sweet-and-sour shan zha (dried Hawthorn).


Floral scented gui hua cake drizzled with syrup beckons with its golden yellow hue, derived from Osmanthus flowers.

For a more interactive experience, head to Qianmen Kitchen restaurant to make some S’mores. Roast American marshmallows over your own charcoal brazier, add some Lindt Chocolate and sandwich it all between Biscoff cookies and digestive biscuits.

Lastly, don’t rule out ice cream just because it’s winter. Beautiful rose-shaped ice cream and vibrant fruity popsicles (at Nanluoguxiang) will make you forget how cold it is outside, even if just for a moment.

Maggie
March 23, 2019 at 3:05 pm
I moved to Orlando when I was 24, I19 years ago, I had everything and everybody I loved back in Brazil. The first 6 mos were terrible, a mix of bitter and sweet. All new things and new friends and the feeling that something was missing in the same time, specially my family, and it was super hard to deal with. But day after day you start to get used to it . Back then I didn’t have the internet working as today which for them will be easier, keep in touch with everyone here. I feel a little bit what the boys are feeling, but the fact that you are going to be together makes all the difference amd besides, by my understanding, you will come back soon or later right? I believe that the most important thing is keep contact to friends and be sure to be together as a family and always always be close to God. I pray that your experience will be a great opportunity to grow and learn. Praying for you all! God Bless.
Kirsten Harrington
April 3, 2019 at 4:43 pm
Thank you so much Maggie. Yes, technology certainly makes it easier. I know God is making a way for us. Wow, look how your life has changed😊
Shari
March 23, 2019 at 4:12 pm
What a hard but oh so good opportunity!! Xoxoxo
Kirsten Harrington
April 3, 2019 at 4:44 pm
Yes! I pray that all 4 of us can embrace every moment, good and bad.