Street food is one of the best reasons to visit China, and you can enjoy it with a few simple habits. Choose busy stalls, eat food that is cooked in front of you and served hot, and go slowly on the first day or two. A stomach used to Malaysian food usually copes well once it has time to settle.
How do you pick a stall?
Watch before you buy. A good stall has a queue, a fast turnover and food that goes from heat to plate in front of you.
- Choose stalls where locals are queuing and the food is cooked to order.
- Look for steam, hot grills and boiling pots, not food that sits out cooling.
- Choose a clean counter, clean utensils and staff who handle money and food separately.
- Skip cut fruit and cold dishes that have been out in the sun.
If you are unsure, walk to the next stall. There is always another one nearby.
What should you try first?
Start with food that is steaming hot and simple. Steamed buns, grilled skewers, noodles in broth, roasted sweet potato and fresh pancakes are all gentle starting points. Add one new thing a day, and keep a plain meal as your anchor.
Go easy on chilli and oil in the first two days. If you travel with a group, share one or two items instead of ordering a full set each, so you can taste more and stop sooner if something disagrees with you.
How do you pay?
Many stalls show a QR code for Alipay or WeChat Pay. Our guides on setting up Alipay and WeChat Pay with a Malaysian card show how to link your card before you fly.
Carry a little renminbi cash as a backup. The PBOC says renminbi cash is legal tender and that refusing cash is to be penalised[1]. Our payment checklist lists what to confirm before you go.
What if you cannot eat the dish?
Allergies, halal needs and vegetarian diets are harder at a stall, because the sauce and the oil are shared. If you have a serious allergy, choose a sit-down meal where you can show a card. Read our guide to a Chinese food allergy card and the vegetarian meal guide. On a package trip, the group meal guide shows when you can eat on your own.
What if your stomach does upset you?
Rest, sip bottled or boiled water, and eat plain food. Carry rehydration salts and your usual medicine in your day bag. If symptoms are severe, or a child or an older person is affected, see a doctor.
The ambulance and medical emergency number is 120[2]. Save our health phrases guide before you travel.