Treat Yourself to Some Tastiest Snacks At Niujie

Treat Yourself to Some Tasty Snacks on Ox Street

Irene Li, Associate Editor | Jun 19, 2022 11:31 am | Add a comment | 1579 reads

Situated close to Xuanwu in Xicheng District, 牛街 Niú Jiē (literally Ox Street) has been host to modern day Beijing's largest enclave of Chinese Muslims since the Liao Dynasty (907-1125), centered around the Niujie Mosque. Although somewhat of a tourist attraction today, the area of Niu Jie is known by locals as the place to go for savory snacks including beef pies, chuan'r and more.

Many of the shops along Niu Jie have been operating for hundreds of years, but what are the best of the best and what should one eat there?

Jubaoyuan 聚宝源 Jùbǎo yuán

While there are numerous places on Niu Jie for you to enjoy mutton hot pot, one place that really stands out is Jubaoyuan. Founded in Shouliu Hutong in 1946, it is one of the most famous halal restaurants in Beijing.

Here you'll find freshly cut lamb shoulder and thighs in thin slices ready to be boiled in old school coal-fired hot pots. While you can opt to use spices and condiments to tone down the distinctive taste of the mutton, true Beijingers opt for minimal seasoning to really get the full flavor of the lamb. For the soup base, which usually comes in tomato, chili and mutton broth flavors, its best to choose the latter to really hammer that mutton flavor home.

Jubaoyuan 聚宝源
5-2 Niu Jie, Xicheng District
西城区牛街5-2号

Niujie Muslim Baiji Rice Cake 白记年糕 Bái jì niángāo

The 切糕 qiē gāo（lit.: cut cake) at this local sweets shop is out of this world. It melts in your mouth the second you bite in, with a texture that's not too sticky or too dry. Plus, it's not too heavy or overly sweet, making it perfect for a quick afternoon bite while out and about.

Of course, qiegao aren't the only snacks to be found here. You'll also find classic snacks like donkey rolls, pea cakes, sesame roll cakes, coconut roll cakes, hawthorn cakes... so many cakes!

Niujie Muslim Baiji Rice Cake 白记年糕
1F, Niujie Muslim Supermarket, 5 Niu Jie, Xicheng District
西城区牛街街道牛街5号牛街清真超市1楼

Xi’an Palace Crisp and Tasty Beef Pie 宫廷香酥牛肉饼 Gōngtíng xiāng sū niúròu bǐng

Another classic local snack to be found here is niurou bing, made with freshly ground beef mixed with spices and wrapped up in dough before being cooked to a golden brown.

When you take a bite, the texture is so soft and crunchy. With some black pepper sprinkled, the crispy snack is surely a delight to eat.

Beef pie is definitely not the only delicacy offered at this place. In fact, many people come here for the 烤包子 Kǎo bāozi (baked buns), a traditional snack common in northwest China that usually comes with lamb fillings, similar to a roujiamo, but with onions added in and a touch of juiciness.

Xi'an Palace Crisp and Tasty Beef Cake 西安宫廷香酥牛肉饼
North 1F, 14-16 Niu Jie, Xicheng District
西城区牛街14号楼一层北侧

Makai Meat Lamb and Beef Counter 马凯家牛羊肉 Mǎkǎi jiā niú yángròu

And lastly, don’t ever leave niujie without buying some fresh beef or button, especially some handmade chuan'r. If you ever want to indulge in some beef or lamb skewers but don't want to go through the trouble of making them yourself, it's best to head here. The workers here will set you up with skewers to go. All you have to do is go home, pick your spices of choice, and get cooking.