Carb lovers, get ready! The ultimate guide to Tianjin snacks is here.

Tianjin, a city blessed with culinary delights, is filled with tempting aromas from street vendors. The snacks here showcase the irresistible charm of carbs, each bite a tantalizing treat for your taste buds. Here are the top 10 Tianjin snacks, along with recommendations for amazing restaurants. Save this guide now! 1. Jianbing Guozi: A thin crepe made from mung bean flour, wrapped around a crispy guozi (fried dough stick) or guobier (thin, crispy cracker). No fancy lettuce, spicy strips, or pork tenderloin here—just the pure, passionate collision of carbs and fried carbs. The satisfying crunch with every bite brings instant happiness. In Tianjin, you don't need a guide to find jianbing guozi. Any morning market stall will offer you the most authentic taste. 2. Gaba Cai: Also known as Guoba Cai, this is a regular on Tianjin breakfast tables. Mung bean and millet pancakes are cut into strips, dried, and then soaked in a thickened gravy. Topped with fragrant sesame paste and fermented bean curd, it offers a savory and slightly sticky texture—a tribute to Tianjin's breakfast culture. 📍Recommended: Zheng Wei Zhai Guoba Cai (Northwest Corner Branch) 3. Da Ma Hua (Large Fried Dough Twist): Tianjin's Da Ma Hua is impressively large, with white and brown twisted dough layers sandwiching a crispy filling. Each bite is a symphony of textures and flavors—sweet, crispy, and rich. The unique taste and satisfying crunch of the filling make it truly addictive. 📍Recommended: Gui Fa Xiang Shiba Jie Ma Hua (numerous branches) 4. Zha Gao (Fried Cake): A halal snack, zha gao features a glutinous rice skin filled with red bean paste and sugar, then deep-fried in sesame oil until golden and crispy. The outer layer crackles with each bite, revealing a soft, sweet, and perfectly balanced filling. Er Duo Yan Zha Gao is a time-honored brand known for its exceptional zha gao. 📍Recommended: Er Duo Yan Zha Gao (many branches) 5. Dou Pi Juan Quan (Bean Skin Roll): Bean curd skin tightly wraps around crispy fried bean sprouts, then rolled in a large flatbread. The crispy fried filling and the substantial carb wrap create a perfect harmony. Each bite is incredibly satisfying, showcasing the unique charm of Tianjin snacks. 📍Recommended: Qing Zhen Ding Ji Juan Quan 6. Shou Li Gao (Steamed Pear Cake): This delicacy holds cherished childhood memories for many Tianjin locals. The soft and chewy rice cake base is topped with homemade bean paste, red fruit jam, or other fruit sauces. The refreshing sweetness brings you right back to your childhood. 📍Recommended: Qing Zhen Liu Ba Shou Li Gao 7. Tang Dun Er (Sugar Ball): Essentially candied hawthorns, this endearing name is unique to Tianjin. A traditional snack in the Beijing-Tianjin region, you'll find it everywhere in Tianjin's streets and alleys. Whether it's the sweet and sour hawthorn or the glutinous rice paper-wrapped Chinese yam beans, each variation offers a distinct flavor. 📍No specific recommendation needed; all stalls offer good quality. 8. Hong Ze Yuan Shao Ji (Hong Ze Yuan Roasted Chicken): This roasted chicken has been a Tianjin favorite for over two decades. The chicken is stewed until tender and flavorful, with an irresistible aroma. Long queues form daily outside the shop, all for a taste of this unforgettable delicacy. 📍Recommended: Hong Ze Yuan Shao Ji 9. Shui Xian Er Baozi (Water-Filled Buns): These traditional Tianjin half-leavened buns are filled with a savory broth. Gently bite into one, and the flavorful juices gush out, complementing the soft bun and fragrant filling. Each bite is a celebration of Tianjin's culinary heritage. 📍Recommended: Jin Men Zhang Ji Baozi Pu (multiple branches) 10. Mian Cha (Millet Paste): This snack has a unique flavor profile, either loved or not. The combination of sesame paste and sesame salt creates a rich, savory, and thick texture, making it a distinctive Tianjin snack. 📍Recommended: Yin Ji Lao Mian Cha