Harbin Food

Shredded Chicken Stew With mushroom Harbin food is influenced by Russia, Korea, Mongolia, and of course North China cuisines, especially Shandong Cuisine. Dishes are usually fumigated, stewed, or pickled in sauce. They have a wide field of selecting materials, and are various in style. You will find that the dishes are saltier and served in a much larger amount than those in other cities in China. You will also find that the dishes have heavy use of vegetables, such as cucumber, cabbage, corn and potato, Shaokao (Chinese BBQ) and Hot Pot are equally popular. Dumplings are a must-taste in Harbin, featuring thin pastry shell and various stuffing.

The following dishes are very common and popular in Harbin: shredded chicken fried with bean curd, shredded chicken stew with mushroom, stewed pig's elbow, vermicelli (bean or sweet potato noodles) stewed with fish, vermicelli stewed with pork, and pork bone seasoned with soy sauce. They are all delicious and sold at low prices. Tossed dishes (like salad) are also popular, and various materials are used, the most common are potato, green pepper, dried bean milk cream in tight rolls, and black fungus, and are usually dressed with soy sauce and aged vinegar. Due to the city’s history with Russian immigrants, there are some western restaurants and cafes in Harbin. Dalieba (or Khleb, a kind of Russian bread) and Hongchang (Harbin Smoked Red Sausage) are typically Russian, and they not only are the delicacies on local people’s table, but are also good gifts for friends and relatives.

Khleb and Smoked Red SausagesKhleb and Smoked Red Sausages

Khleb is a kind of Russian bread. It is big and round, as heavy as 2.5 kilograms (5.5lb). It tastes fragrant with hard shell but soft inside. The ingredients for this bread are flour, salt and hops. Khleb is convenient for carrying and storage. Hongchang (smoked red sausages) are made with lean meat. Because they are smoked with wood, there is a thin cover of charcoal dust over them. But do not think they are dirty, because it is with this dust that you can taste the true smoking flavor. When eating the Hongchang, you can also make a sandwich with the Khleb.

They are sold in lots of bread and pastry stores in the city, especially Central Avenue. A famous brand is "Churin (秋林)", with chain stores almost everywhere to be found in Harbin.

Shredded Chicken Stewed with Mushroom

It is a traditional and famous dish of Harbin, especially popular in winter. You can find this dish in most restaurants. Chicken is shredded and stewed with mushroom, ginger, scallion and vermicelli (bean or sweet potato noodles). When the dish is ready, the chicken and mushroom taste soft, tender and smooth. It is nutritious and fragrant, and a perfect dish to warm you up in winter.

Hi, I'm Candice Song
I updated this article on March 29, 2012
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Q: Rachelle Asked on 2013-03-09 Reply
Is it possible to tour the Churin (Qiu Lin) sausage-making facilities? I want to learn more about that.

Hi Rachelle, please kindly advise when you'd like to visit it? And how long? We will try to arrange it for you.

Whitney Liao Replied on 2013-03-11
Q: amir Asked on 2012-12-30 Reply
how many indian restaurants in Harbin, could you please give me their name and address , also is there any indian grocery shops there too, Thanks in advanceamir

Hi Amir, sorry, I don't know the number of Indian restaurants in Harbin. If you need any tours to Harbin, we are very glad to assist arranging it.

Whitney Liao Replied on 2013-01-04
Q: howie southworth Asked on 2012-12-13 Reply
I am going to Harbin 5-8 January. I have heard about a restaurant called 红味西餐厅, Hongwei Xicanting. On the sign, the name is "Vin Howie." My name is Howie and I would like to meet the owner. Can you contact them for me? I am also a chef, and would like to help out in the restaurant for one day.

Hi Howie, here is the address and contact information for you, you can contact them directly.

Add: 47 Tongjiang Street, Daoli District, Harbin 哈尔滨道里区通江街47号

Tel: (0451)55577788

We are a travel agency, if you need any tour service in Harbin or the around cities, please feel free to contact me.

Whitney Liao Replied on 2012-12-13
Q: Shubham Asked on 2012-11-14 Reply
Hi, I will be there at Harbin from 3rd dec till 8th jan, can anybody guide me with the basic things to be carried and prepared before leaving India for China. I like Non-Veg also but I have heard about the Bluntness of taste people of other Asian origin experience in China, is it true?, Will I be able to survive during this period as its very cold, etc.

Hi Shubham, Harbin in December and January is very cold. It snows a lot. You can prepare feather coats, warm sweaters, padded overcoats, hats, scarves, gloves and boots. Yes, if you eat spicy food, you will get bluntness of taste. Or if you eat outside where there isn't any heaters, you will also experience it. But don't worry, there are heaters inside everywhere in Harbin, no problem.

Whitney Liao Replied on 2012-11-16
Q: Ram Vedula Asked on 2012-06-08 Reply
Hi I will be visiting harbin from june 18-21. I am a vegetarian. What are my options in Harbin? Are there any Indian restaurants in harbin?
Hi Vedula, I recommend that Pakwaan Indian Restaurant to you in Harbin. Please let me konw i fyou need any tour service in Harbin. See here for our Harbin tour: http://www.chinahighlights.com/harbin/tours.htm Michael Hu Replied on 2012-06-09