Some of the best, cheapest eating in China happens on the street — at breakfast carts and buzzing night markets. Grazing your way through a market is one of the great pleasures of a trip here.

What to try

• Jianbing (煎饼) — a savoury breakfast crepe folded around egg, crispy cracker and sauces.
• Baozi (包子) — fluffy steamed buns with endless fillings.
• Chuan’r (串) — grilled skewers of lamb, squid, veg — anything.
• Roujiamo — the “Chinese hamburger”: stewed meat in a flatbread.
• Stinky tofu (臭豆腐) — pungent but beloved, for the brave.
• Grilled corn, candied haws, fresh fruit and more.

Eat safely

• Pick busy stalls with high turnover — that’s the sign of fresh food.
• Watch it cooked fresh and hot in front of you.
• Pay by Alipay/WeChat QR — even street carts take it.

Tips

• Night markets get going in the evening — come hungry.
• Use a translation app or just point at what looks good (ordering without Chinese).
• Carry tissues and hand sanitiser.