Northern China Night Market: Endless Street Food and Lively Eats
Video transcript
Hello friends, I'm DaWen. Today, let's explore a night market in northern China. It's now 7:00 PM. The night market is already packed with hungry visitors. I could smell these stuffed mushrooms from far away. These are shrimp-stuffed mushrooms. This is garlic sauce. Street-style stuffed mushrooms are usually filled with shrimp, while homemade versions often use pork or beef. Tender, juicy, and full of flavor. They're so addictive, one after another! The aroma of these grilled lamb ribs was irresistible, so I bought one. Cumin and chili powder are the
classic barbecue seasonings. The spices blend perfectly with the lamb, crispy outside and tender inside. Chimney cake has become increasingly popular in China over the past two years. It's made from fermented dough with butter and milk. It takes about 10 minutes to bake while rotating. Me: One chimney cake, with strawberry and durian jam, please. Vendor: Oreo crumbs or shredded coconut? Me: Oreo. Crispy outside with a sweet fruity filling. 😋 Fried noodles are a staple at almost every Chinese night market, but every region has its own style. Lanzhou is
famous for its hand-pulled noodles, and this fried noodle dish uses the same handmade noodles. Everything is prepared fresh on the spot. The noodles are quickly rinsed in cold water after boiling, making them extra chewy. The deep Chinese wok is perfect for frying eggs and stir-frying. The vegetables include onion, shredded potato, garlic shoots, and sweet peppers. Add salt, five-spice powder, and chicken powder. Add a little more salt. Soy sauce gives the noodles their rich color. The aroma of soy sauce is incredible! Stinky tofu is a common street food
in China, but not every Chinese person enjoys it. The black cubes are fermented tofu. The interesting thing about stinky tofu is: from a distance, it smells like spoiled pickled vegetables, but up close, the smell is surprisingly mild. Its name may sound unappealing, but the taste often surprises people. The outside is crispy and the inside is pleasantly chewy, while the flavor depends on the sauce and toppings. This stall sells scallion pancakes. The dough is made using the half-hot-water method, (half with boiling water and half with cold water before
kneading) Sprinkle with sesame pepper salt. The aroma of scallions is amazing! In northern China, scallion pancakes are usually eaten for breakfast, though they're also found at some night markets. Crispy on the outside with a rich scallion flavor inside, it's both delicious and filling. This stall sells Crispy Sweet & Sour Pork. It's a classic dish from Northeast China. Pork tenderloin is coated with batter and deep-fried until golden. Then it's coated with a sweet and sour sauce. The dish has a distinctive vinegar aroma, crispy outside, tender inside,
and wonderfully refreshing. Pork and eggs become all kinds of delicious street foods in China. Flatten the minced pork, then deep-fry it. I'd call this "Egg & Minced Pork Patty." Customer: Extra scallions, please. This stall sells Flaky Smoked Pork Rolls. The pork is first braised, then smoked. This is wheat dough. The smoked pork has a rich smoky aroma. Brush on sweet bean sauce. Add shredded scallions. Rice noodle rolls, a southern Chinese breakfast favorite, become a night market snack in the north. The northern version uses a richer, more flavorful
sauce. Pig's trotters are rich in collagen, and grilled pig's trotters are especially popular with young people. Many Chinese people enjoy snacks with bones, cleaning every bit of meat from the bone, which makes them especially satisfying. This stall sells stir-fried crayfish. Crayfish don't have much meat, but peeling and eating them is part of the fun. Crayfish continue to grow in popularity across China, from fresh markets and supermarkets to street stalls and night markets. The wrapper is made from sweet potato starch. The filling includes scallions,
pickled long beans, pickled radish, and cilantro. It's a vegetarian snack with surprisingly rich flavors. This grilled fish stall has a constant line of customers, even late at night. Me: One grilled bass, please. Bass has tender meat with few bones, making it perfect for grilling. This is garlic sauce. After waiting 20 minutes, my grilled bass was finally ready. Tender, juicy, and wonderfully aromatic. 👍 As the night grows later, the market remains lively. You're the best audience! 👍 Thank you for exploring this night market with me. See you next
time for more delicious food!
