Which Specialty Restaurants in Harbin Are Must-Visits? These Century-Old Flavors, You Can't Miss Any of Them

Harbin, the capital of Heilongjiang Province, is known as 'Ice City Summer Capital,' 'Pearl Under the Swan's Neck,' 'Lilac City,' 'Oriental Moscow,' 'Oriental Little Paris' and other beautiful names.

But in my eyes, besides the romantic streets and the snow and ice kingdom, what attracts me most is the food there!

In seven days and six nights, I visited many restaurants in Harbin: Zhangbao Shop, Fuqiang Big Bone, Laochang Spring Pancake, Jiuzhuan Xiaomo, Shanhetun Iron Pot Stew, Laochujia, Zuibei'erdong Dingxiang Town, Mrs. Xing's BBQ, Modier Western Restaurant...

Most of these restaurants were recommended by local friends, very authentic. In Northeastern dialect, they are 'gaga xiang' (super delicious)!

But there are still many restaurants I wanted to visit but didn't. On my travel notebook, there are still Laodingfeng Jingyu Street Main Store, Hualun Western Restaurant, Maomao Smoked Meat and Pancake, Laoliu Killing Pig Dish, Ronghua Fried Chicken, Emir Restaurant, Zhiyin Restaurant, etc.

Harbin is a national historical and cultural city. Among the many bustling Chinese cities, the snow-covered Harbin is extremely eye-catching. It is a city I will definitely visit again, and there are many places waiting for me to check in one by one.

Did you know? Harbin has China's first brewery, founded in 1900, with a history of 120 years. In Harbin, there are many century-old flavors; let me take you to experience a few.

DaoWai Old District, the most down-to-earth area in Harbin, is full of strong everyday life atmosphere. There are super many delicious small eateries here, and you can eat for days on end.

DaoWai Old District is what locals call it; it has a very stylish name: Harbin Chinese Baroque Block. There is a century-old food street here, all with special characteristics. Foodies really shouldn't miss it.

That day, while strolling in DaoWai Old District, I visited a century-old steamed bun shop: Zhangbao Shop.

It is a chain store. I went to the main store, located in DaoWai Old District. There is also Zhangbao Shop Qunli Store, Zhangbao Shop Baijiu Hutong Store, etc.

The steamed buns at Zhangbao Shop are made and steamed on the spot, taking about half an hour, but good food is always worth waiting for. The signature pork rib bun is a must-order; it will definitely not disappoint you.

While waiting for the buns to steam, I ordered a portion of red sausage, which was very fragrant.

There are various buns to choose from: pork rib buns, three-delicacy buns, tofu buns, etc. It is said that their old-style dry-fried meat, smoked large intestines, sesame sauce pulled skin, and Guo Bao Rou are also excellent. Unfortunately, I really couldn't eat more, so I just ordered a pork rib bun.

This century-old shop has many capricious rules: buns must be ordered in even numbers, at least 6 pieces, and diners of 2 or fewer must accept sharing a table with waiting customers.

The pork rib buns are really delicious, 6 yuan each. Rich sauce flavor, with a whole pork rib inside; be careful of the bone when eating.

When there are many tourists, it is said that queuing starts at 2 PM. Next time you have a chance, try their Guo Bao Rou!

Laochujia is a century-old catering brand in Harbin. Its full name is 'Laochujia Daotai Restaurant,' abbreviated as Laochujia. That night, we went to Laochujia Youyi Road Main Store at No. 318 Youyi Road, Daoli District, Harbin.

This is one of the most famous old-brand Northeastern restaurants in Harbin, featured on many food programs on national media like CCTV.

First established in 1922, when master chef Zheng Xingwen and his son Zheng Yilin opened a private restaurant on Daoli Zhongguo Shidao Street, originally named 'Zhenweiju,' commonly called 'Laochujia' by locals.

Laochujia claims to be a museum-style restaurant; stepping inside, it indeed feels a bit like a museum.

The famous Northeastern dish—Guo Bao Rou—was pioneered by Laochujia.

So this is a must-order dish at Laochujia. The Guo Bao Rou here is dry-sauce style, with crispy skin and tender meat, perfectly balanced sweet and sour, crispy and delicious.

Fried ice cream popsicles are very unique, crispy outside and cold inside, the most popular dessert at Laochujia, with an amazing texture.

This dish seems to be called Gongmi meatballs? Anyway, it's a very tasty meatball.

Northeastern large pulled skin, and Di San Xian (three-freshness) are also restaurant specialties. A simple Di San Xian is very delicious.

Assorted three homemade red sausages at Laochujia:

Iron plate sauerkraut, a very different way of preparation. Are you like me, super fond of Northeastern sauerkraut?

For the main staple, I ordered fried millet, golden yellow, with visible millet grains inside; another meal that leaves you stuffed.

Fuqiang Big Bone is truly a famous Northern dish. As one of the first batch of famous Northern dishes, Fuqiang Big Bone has truly stood the test of time.

It has been rated one of China's top ten small eateries, featured on CCTV1 and CCTV2, and the popular series 'A Bite of China' has visited here.

The original store is at No. 28 South Second Street, Baroque Style Street, Daowai District, Harbin. It is said that nearly 200 jin of big bones are sold every day, and even 100 jin of braised pork.

That day, when I visited Harbin's Sunac Mall, I happened to see a branch and went in for lunch.

This is Harbin's earliest big bone dish, all secret recipe dishes. With over 30 years of secret recipe passed down, locals say the flavor has been imitated but never surpassed.

This restaurant is very interesting; it only has 12 dishes, nothing else. Besides the signature big bone, braised large intestines, braised pork, etc., are must-eat foods. I wished I could order every dish!

For drinks, I ordered the local favorite Dabaili pear soda, 3 yuan per bottle, really affordable!

The meat on the big bone is super generous; wearing plastic gloves and gnawing on a big bone gives an immense sense of satisfaction. A small portion of Fuqiang Big Bone costs only 68 yuan.

Snow vegetable stewed with tofu, 22 yuan.

Old soup dried tofu roll, 18 yuan. Very flavorful.

Honey sauce minced meat eggplant, 22 yuan.

This is a restaurant where you can eat your fill for just 50 yuan per person. Every dish is very good, a bit salty, suitable for rice. I thought, if I have a chance, I’ll visit the main store in DaoWai Old District.

Laochang Spring Pancake is a very famous spring pancake old shop in Harbin, a time-honored restaurant with multiple branches in the city.

Actually, the birthplace of Laochang Spring Pancake is Changchun, Jilin, not Harbin. Laochang Food Co., Ltd. was established on May 22, 2000, in Changchun.

That day, while strolling on Harbin's must-visit Central Street, I chose lunch at Laochang Spring Pancake on Central Street, located on the basement level. The restaurant's decor is dark green with bright orange.

I ordered both spring pancakes and thin pancakes. For drinks, you can order the local famous Harbin Beer and Qiulin Kvass bread drink.

It is said their Guo Bao Rou is also very delicious, but unfortunately I couldn't eat any more.

The pancakes here are thin but not torn. You can try the regular spring pancake or the thinner, chewier thin pancake. Roll up shredded pork in sweet bean sauce, tender scrambled eggs, shredded potatoes, and other stir-fries; one bite releases a burst of fragrance.

Smoked meat rolled in spring pancakes:

Shredded pork in sweet bean sauce rolled in spring pancakes:

When coming to Harbin, braised pork spine is also a must-order:

Special recommendation: tender scrambled eggs and sesame sauce pulled skin. Tender scrambled eggs rolled in the pancake taste amazing. However, for a southern woman, one rolled spring pancake is enough to feel full.

The brown sugar pancake is also highly recommended; eat it while hot, very fragrant.

Harbin is really too delicious!

Organizing travel notes late at night, I miss it so much. I must go to Harbin again; there are still many delicious foods waiting for me!