Ranked by TableJourney editorial score.
Wandouhuang is a smooth, pale yellow pea paste set into a lightly sweet, cool cake, a Beijing snack with a court version said to have won over Empress Dowager Cixi.
Wandouhuang has been famous in Beijing since the Ming dynasty and entered the Forbidden City in the Qing. It was a classic spring product sold at temple fairs, and vendors once sold it at the Shangsi Festival. A legend says Cixi heard vendors selling it near Beihai and had them cook it in the palace, which gave rise to two versions of the recipe, one for the court and one for the street. Huguosi Snacks, formed in 1956 from famous street vendors, still sells it among its 100-odd snacks.
2 editor picks for Wandouhuang (pea cake) in Beijing, ranked by editorial score. All Beijing signature dishes · Wandouhuang (pea cake) across every city.
Huguosi Snacks' founding shop at 93 Huguosi Street in Beijing, open since 1956, sells over 100 halal snacks, from douzhi and jiaoquan to lüdagun and pea cake.
OrderDouzhi (fermented mung bean drink) with jiaoquan, lüdagun and pea flour cake
TipThe shop opens at 05:30, so go early for breakfast; douzhi is an acquired taste, and the 2025 city-walk guide says to pair it with jiaoquan.
Laohuihui Snack Bar on Baiwanzhuang North Street in Beijing is a time-honoured snack shop selling lüdagun, bean-paste shaobing and sugar rolls.
OrderLüdagun, bean-paste shaobing and sugar rolls
TipThe Xicheng guide recommends lüdagun, bean-paste huoshao, sugar huoshao and pea cake; hours split into breakfast, lunch and dinner, so check the clock.
Wandouhuang (pea cake) makes more sense with someone from Beijing explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.
Guided tour · 5 - 10 hours
See the sights of Beijing illuminated on an amazing night tour. Watch a traditional acrobatics show and enjoy a delicious Peking Duck dinner to experience a dish that ...
Day trip · 8 hours
Explore the history and nature around Beijing on a private day tour to the Ming Tombs and Longqing Gorge. Discover the Ming Dynasty's legacy at the Dingling Tomb and e...
Guided tour · 8 hours
Visiting Tian'anmen Square and the Forbidden City, two iconic spots in Beijing. Hike the scenic Mutianyu Great Wall. Enjoy tasty Chinese dumplings for lunch.
