What Food To Try in Tianjin and Food Prices
How much does lunch and dinner cost
Examples of food prices, cafes, street food and other dining options in Tianjin for 2024.
National currency: Yuan Renminbi, symbol — ¥ (international currency code CNY).
General Cafe Price Guide
Average prices in Tianjin cafes and restaurants
$4.2
Quick Lunch for One
Starting from $2.77
$27.7
Dinner for Two
to celebrate your trip
Starting from $20.74
$5.5
Combo Meal
Starting from $5.25
What to Try in Tianjin
Must-try Dishes
Goubuli Baozi - Steamed Buns - Fluffy steamed buns filled with juicy pork, ginger, and garlic that are perfectly soupy inside. Locals usually enjoy them for breakfast or as a snack while hunting for street food.Jianbing - Chinese Crepe - A thin crepe filled with eggs, crispy fried wonton, and savory sauces, rolled up for easy handling. You'll often see vendors making them at dawn, serving as the go-to breakfast on busy mornings.
Gao Jiao Yu - Deep-Fried Fish - Fish marinated in spices and deep-fried to a crunchy finish, served with a tangy dipping sauce. This dish makes for a popular lunch option, often shared among friends at casual eateries.
Tianjin Sausage - Tianjin Cheung - Flavorful pork sausage seasoned with local spices and served with pickled vegetables. It's a noteworthy specialty that locals often eat during festive seasons or community gatherings.
Milk Fish - Niu Yu - A surprisingly tasty combination of fish swimming in spicy milk broth, often scattered with chili flakes. You might find this hearty dinner option at street stalls, perfect for a late-night food trip.
Winter Melon Soup - Donggua Tang - A seasonal delight of tender winter melon and savory broth, typically enjoyed in the colder months. Friends often gather to sip on this warm dish, which provides comfort during chilly evenings.
Battered Green Beans - Jian Douzi - Crispy green beans coated in a light batter, usually served with spicy seasonings. A well-loved side dish that locals often order as a main during casual lunches.
By the way, don’t be surprised if you find half the table ordering, while the other half waits until all the food arrives—it's a common custom here!
Desserts & Drinks
Tea - 茶 (refreshing beverage) - This is a traditional blend of green or black tea steeped with fragrant jasmine flowers, serving chilled or hot depending on the season. Locals often sip it during tea ceremonies or casual meet-ups, especially during the cooler months when enjoying the warm, aromatic variation.Sweet Beer - 甜酒 (sweet rice liquor) - A subtly sweet drink made from fermented glutinous rice and water, served at room temperature. It’s commonly enjoyed during family gatherings and celebrations, with its uniquely silky texture making it a hit among the locals, especially during festivals like the Lantern Festival.
Pineapple Bun - 菠萝包 (sweet pastry) - This soft, sweet bun has a crusty top resembling a pineapple but contains no pineapple at all! It’s a popular snack often enjoyed as a quick breakfast or afternoon treat, frequently paired with a cup of milk tea at local bakeries, making it the go-to comfort food for many.
Pearl Ice - 珍珠冰 (iced dessert) - This delightful concoction consists of shaved ice topped with fresh fruits, sweet beans, and chewy tapioca pearls, drizzled with syrup. It’s especially loved during Tianjin's sweltering summer days, providing a refreshing escape from the heat in bustling street markets.
Mung Bean Cake - 绿豆糕 (traditional sweet) - These moist and chewy cakes made from mung bean paste are often enjoyed during festivals like the Dragon Boat Festival. Served chilled, they're a refreshing way to celebrate, with their naturally sweet flavor making them a favorite among both kids and adults alike.
Food and Groceries in Tianjin
Vegetables, Fruits and Bread
| Bread | $1.5 |
| Bananas | $1.33 |
| Oranges | $1.32 |
| Potatoes | $0.72 |
| Apples | $1.32 |
Beverages
| Water 1.5L | $0.65 |
| 0.5L Local Beer | $1.04 |
| Imported Beer | $1.38 |
| Wine Rating >4.0 | $13.83 |
| Milk 1L | $1.96 |
Various Groceries
| Meat (Beef or Pork) | $10.26 |
| Chicken | $2.88 |
| Cigarettes | $2.83 |
| Rice | $0.94 |
| Local Cheese | $14.17 |
Overview of Cuisine and Specialties
The bustling food scene in Tianjin is a reflection of its rich cultural tapestry, and one thing that stands out is the timing of meals. Locals typically eat breakfast from 7:00 to 9:00 AM, lunch between 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM, and dinner from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. If you stroll through the streets during these hours, you'll find several vendors dishing out steamed buns and dumplings, filling the air with mouthwatering aromas.
Price ranges vary significantly across districts. For instance, in the Tianjin Hexi District, a hearty dumpling meal might set you back around 60-80 CNY, while in the quieter Haihe Education Park area, you could enjoy a similar meal for about 40-50 CNY. It's always wise to be prepared for a modest increase in prices during festival seasons when demand spikes.
As for payment customs, cash is widely accepted, but mobile payments via Alipay or WeChat Pay are incredibly prevalent and preferred by most vendors. Carrying small change in Yuan is advisable for street vendors, especially since they often don’t have change for larger bills. On a side note, tipping isn’t customary here, so it’s best to save that gesture for the occasional western-style cafe or high-end restaurant.
One charming aspect of eating in Tianjin is the locals’ habit of sharing dishes family-style. Meals often consist of several shared plates which encourages a communal dining experience, fostering connections among family and friends. This practice helps to set a relaxed and social tone at the table — a lovely cultural trait that enhances the dining experience.
Now, let’s talk about a common tourist mistake: many newcomers tend to avoid certain street vendors out of a misplaced fear regarding cleanliness. While some street food spots might look unassuming, I can assure you that many are spotless and serve delicious, authentic dishes. Trust your instincts and the popularity of the spot among locals!
With meal times often overlapping, it can get busy, especially during the lunch rush from 12:00 to 1:00 PM. If you prefer a quieter dining experience, try for an earlier or later meal, when you can truly savor the flavors without the bustling crowd.
As the city continues to evolve, keep an eye on how new transport links are impacting where people choose to eat. With the development of transit lines, areas like East Tianjin are becoming more accessible, which is likely shifting dining patterns as residents explore what these neighborhoods have to offer.
Tianjin's food scene is not just about eating; it’s a cultural experience that embodies a local spirit worth discovering. Whether you find yourself in the busy streets or quaint alleyways, there’s always something delicious waiting to be explored.
Price ranges vary significantly across districts. For instance, in the Tianjin Hexi District, a hearty dumpling meal might set you back around 60-80 CNY, while in the quieter Haihe Education Park area, you could enjoy a similar meal for about 40-50 CNY. It's always wise to be prepared for a modest increase in prices during festival seasons when demand spikes.
As for payment customs, cash is widely accepted, but mobile payments via Alipay or WeChat Pay are incredibly prevalent and preferred by most vendors. Carrying small change in Yuan is advisable for street vendors, especially since they often don’t have change for larger bills. On a side note, tipping isn’t customary here, so it’s best to save that gesture for the occasional western-style cafe or high-end restaurant.
One charming aspect of eating in Tianjin is the locals’ habit of sharing dishes family-style. Meals often consist of several shared plates which encourages a communal dining experience, fostering connections among family and friends. This practice helps to set a relaxed and social tone at the table — a lovely cultural trait that enhances the dining experience.
Now, let’s talk about a common tourist mistake: many newcomers tend to avoid certain street vendors out of a misplaced fear regarding cleanliness. While some street food spots might look unassuming, I can assure you that many are spotless and serve delicious, authentic dishes. Trust your instincts and the popularity of the spot among locals!
With meal times often overlapping, it can get busy, especially during the lunch rush from 12:00 to 1:00 PM. If you prefer a quieter dining experience, try for an earlier or later meal, when you can truly savor the flavors without the bustling crowd.
As the city continues to evolve, keep an eye on how new transport links are impacting where people choose to eat. With the development of transit lines, areas like East Tianjin are becoming more accessible, which is likely shifting dining patterns as residents explore what these neighborhoods have to offer.
Tianjin's food scene is not just about eating; it’s a cultural experience that embodies a local spirit worth discovering. Whether you find yourself in the busy streets or quaint alleyways, there’s always something delicious waiting to be explored.