38 Desserts, Pastries, Snacks You Must Try In China : Ultimate Bucket List (2026)
Introduction
This list has been created by me, a person who has worked part-time for 8 years in Chinese restaurants and takeouts in a European country. I’m from a restaurant family. 👨🏻🍳
I am back in China permanently and frequently explore new desserts, pastries, and snacks that I recommend to family and friends.
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I aim to cover some of the most popular desserts, pastries, and snacks in China, which can be easily found across most major cities.
Obviously, if you talk to someone in Beijing, they might have a totally different taste to someone in Guangzhou.
You should also be able to find many of these in any major Chinatown across the world.
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Like everything Chinese, there is a huge amount of variety in Chinese desserts and snacks. We’re talking hundreds, probably thousands of varieties.
Many of the flavours are like nothing I’ve tasted outside of China. China is a dessert and snack paradise. You will definitely find several new favourites in China!
Don’t forget to be adventurous!
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Also check out my articles 38 Street Foods You Should Try In China and 20 Drinks You Must Try In China
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Wishing you an amazing journey throughout China! Do your best to “collect” all of these desserts and snacks during your trip!
Interested in visiting China?
Sweet Soups (tangshui / tongsui 糖水)
1. red bean soup / green bean soup | hóng dòu shā / lǜdòu shā | 红豆沙/绿豆沙 ⭐
2. black sesame soup | hēi zhī ma hú | 黑芝麻糊
3. double-skinned milk | shuāng pí nǎi | 双皮奶
4. mango sago | yáng zhī gān lù | 杨枝甘露 ⭐
5. tofu pudding | dòu huā | 豆花
6. tangyuan (glutinous rice balls in a sweet soup) | tāng yuán | 汤圆 ⭐
7. sago coconut soup | xī mǐ lù | 西米露
8. snow fungus soup | xuě ěr táng shuǐ | 雪耳糖水
9. tofu skin with boiled egg in sweet soup | fǔ zhú táng shuǐ | 腐竹鸡蛋糖水
Jellies
10. grass jelly | xiān cǎo | 仙草
11. almond tofu | xìng rén dòu fu | 杏仁豆腐
12. ice jelly | bīng fěn | 冰粉
Candy
13. lucky candy | lì shì táng | 利是糖
14. white rabbit candy | dà bái tù nǎi táng | 大白兔奶糖 ⭐ - a must buy!
15. dragon’s beard candy | lóng xū táng | 龙须糖
16. peanut candy | huā shēng táng | 花生糖
Snacks
17. haw flakes | shān zhā bǐng | 山楂饼
18. salty dried plum | huà méi | 话梅
19. beef jerky / pork jerky | niú ròu gān / zhū ròu gān | 牛肉干 / 猪肉干
20. spicy strips | là tiáo | 辣条 ⭐
Specials
21. candied hawthorn | bīng táng hú lu | 冰糖葫芦 ⭐
22. glutinous rice flour balls | nuò mǐ cí | 糯米糍
23. sesame balls | zhī má qiú | 芝麻球
Pastries / Cakes / Bakery Products
24. egg tart | dàn tà | 蛋挞 ⭐
25. Portuguese tart | pú tà | 葡挞
26. coconut tart | yē tà | 椰挞
27. egg waffle | jī dàn zǎi | 鸡蛋仔
28. pineapple bun | bō luó bāo | 菠萝包 ⭐
29. char siu puff | chā shāo sū | 叉烧酥
30. coconut bun | yē sī bāo | 椰丝包
31. cocktail bun | jī wěi bāo | 鸡尾包
32. meat floss bun | ròu sōng bāo | 肉松包
33. wife cake (pastry with winter melon paste and glutinous rice flour) | lǎo pó bǐng | 老婆饼
34. pineapple cake | fèng lí sū | 凤梨酥
35. sachima (fried batter blocks) | shā qí mǎ | 沙琪玛 ⭐
36. osmanthus cake | guì huā gāo | 桂花糕
37. almond cookie | xìng rén bǐng | 杏仁饼
38. walnut cookie | hé táo sū | 核桃酥
I have not included mooncake 月饼🥮 in this list, because they’re mainly eaten during the Mid-Autumn Festival. But don’t hesitate to check them out any time of year. I personally love one with a lotus egg filling!
