Qingdao Local Cuisine

Explore the authentic flavors and must-try dishes of Qingdao

Tsingtao Beer
Beverage
Tsingtao Beer

Famous local beer with crisp, refreshing taste

¥10-30
Evening
Very common

Best Places:

  • Beer gardens
  • Local bars
  • Restaurants

Pro Tip:

Best enjoyed fresh from the brewery

Seafood
Seafood
Seafood

Fresh seafood from the Yellow Sea, prepared in various styles

¥80-200 per person
Linner or dinner
Common

Best Places:

  • Seafood restaurants
  • Fishing villages
  • Coastal areas

Pro Tip:

Choose live seafood for the freshest taste

Qingdao Dumplings
Dim Sum
Qingdao Dumplings

Local style dumplings with various fillings

¥20-40
Lunch or dinner
Common

Best Places:

  • Dumpling restaurants
  • Local eateries
  • Food streets

Pro Tip:

Try different fillings including seafood varieties

Shandong Cuisine
Regional Cuisine
Shandong Cuisine

Traditional Shandong dishes with emphasis on seafood and soups

¥60-150 per person
Lunch or dinner
Common

Best Places:

  • Traditional restaurants
  • Local eateries
  • Cultural venues

Pro Tip:

Known for its emphasis on fresh ingredients and clear flavors

Street Food
Street Food
Street Food

Various street foods including grilled seafood and snacks

¥10-30
Any time
Very common

Best Places:

  • Food streets
  • Night markets
  • Beach areas

Pro Tip:

Try the grilled seafood and local snacks

German-Influenced Food
Fusion
German-Influenced Food

Food influenced by Qingdao's German colonial history

¥80-150 per person
Lunch or dinner
Local specialty

Best Places:

  • German restaurants
  • Historical venues
  • Cultural areas

Pro Tip:

Reflects Qingdao's unique colonial heritage

Qingdao Food Culture Guide

Dining Etiquette

  • • Use chopsticks properly, don't stick them upright in rice
  • • Try a little of everything when dining with others
  • • It's polite to serve others before yourself
  • • Slurping noodles is acceptable and shows appreciation

Ordering Tips

  • • Point at menu pictures if language is a barrier
  • • Ask for "bu la" (not spicy) if you can't handle heat
  • • Street food is generally safe from busy vendors
  • • Don't tip - it's not customary in China