Beijing Halal Food Guide: A Local Muslim Street in Beijing You Can’t Miss
- Bite Escape-Lin
- Oct 24
- 3 min read
What is Niujie？
Located in Beijing’s Xicheng District, Niu Jie (牛街) is one of the oldest and most vibrant Muslim neighborhoods in China. For centuries, it has been the heart of Beijing’s Halal food culture, home to generations of Hui Muslim families and time-honored eateries.
The moment you step onto Niu Jie Food Street, you’ll be greeted by the aroma of grilled lamb skewers, hand-pulled noodles, sesame cakes, and freshly baked pastries. Locals shop for beef jerky and rice cakes here, while travelers wander between small Halal restaurants and historic mosques — including the famous Niu Jie Mosque, the oldest and largest in Beijing.
It’s a place where faith, flavor, and history blend seamlessly. The street may look ordinary from the outside, but every corner tells a story — from family-run shops that have been serving for generations to street vendors still making traditional Hui snacks by hand.
If you’re a foodie or street-food lover, Niu Jie is a must-visit spot in any Beijing travel guide. It’s not just about eating; it’s about experiencing a side of Beijing that’s authentic, soulful, and full of life.
Best 3 spots On Niu Jie
Hongji Snack Shop 洪记小吃
beijing-halal-food-guide-a-local-muslim-street-in-beijing-you-can’t-miss
Address: No. 12 Niu Jie Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, China
Opening hours: 5:30 am-21:30 pm
Must-have
Hong Ji Baozi (Steamed Meat Buns)
Only 2.5 RMB each - soft and juicy with every bite! Thin skin and generous filling. The moment you sink your teeth in, the meat juice bursts out. No wonder so many people can’t resist eating them right after buying. The King of Queues on Niujie！
Hong Ji Baodu Fen (Tripe Noodles)
A bowl mixed with rich sesame sauce and chili oil, featuring tender and springy tripe. The flavor hits hard - spicy, nutty, and satisfying. Just one thing: make sure to eat it while it’s hot!
Hong Ji’s Electric-Grilled Skewers
They are famous on Niu Jie for their clean, balanced flavor. The lamb is perfectly marbled, grilled until slightly charred on the outside yet juicy inside. A dusting of cumin and chili gives it that unmistakable Beijing street food aroma.
Baiji Rice Cake 白记年糕
Address: No. 5 Niujie Street, 1st Floor, Niujie Halal Supermarket
Opening hours: 8:00 am-20:00 pm
Must-have
🥠Glutinous Rice Cake 江米年糕 – ¥18.8/500g
Made from white glutinous rice. The soft, chewy rice perfectly complements the sweet red bean paste — tender enough to melt in your mouth, without any hardness inside. It’s topped with hawthorn jelly, which balances the sweetness beautifully. The handmade red bean filling is smooth yet slightly grainy, full of that authentic “handcrafted” charm. The rice cake from Baiji keeps the traditional old Beijing flavor — made with real, honest ingredients and just the right level of sweetness that warms your heart.
🍘 Purple Glutinous Rice Cake 紫米年糕– ¥18.8/500g
Made with whole purple rice grains. It has a slightly salty edge, offering a chewy texture with the fibrous bite of the rice grains.
🌮 Rolling Donkey 驴打滚 – ¥18.8/500g
Take a big bite and you’ll taste the delicate aroma of the fine soybean flour on the outside, soft glutinous rice in the middle, and rich handmade red bean paste that’s moist, slightly textured, and even includes tender bits of bean skin — hearty and satisfying.
Manji Shaobing 满记烧饼
Address: No. 3 Shuru Hutong (Niujie Dongli Area 1)
Opening hours: 6:00 am-20:00 pm
Must-have
Beef Shaobing
Only 5 RMB -unbeatable value! Filled with juicy beef and scallions, perfectly seasoned -not too salty or oily. The sesame flatbread itself is brushed with tahini, and once heated, it smells amazing.
“Pepper-Salt Shaobing
The first bite seems ordinary, but the more you chew, the better it gets. Crispy bottom, loaded with sesame on top, and a gentle pepper-salt aroma. You taste the wheat, the oil, and a touch of savory saltiness — perfect to pair with a side dish.
Sesame Paste Shaobing
Rich sesame aroma with a clear hint of pepper-salt. Slightly on the salty side, but not too much. If you’re a sesame paste lover, go for it without hesitation!
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