Food and Restaurants in Shandong

Shandong, known as the land of Qi and Lu and the hometown of Confucius and Mencius, boasts a long-standing culinary tradition. It is home not only to Shandong cuisine, honored as the "first of China's Eight Great Cuisines", but also to many other renowned local delicacies. Following are the best food and restaurant in Shandong.

What to eat

Top 1: Shandong Jianbing/山东煎饼

Shandong Jianbing (pancake) originated in Mount Tai more than a thousand years ago. Resembling lotus leaves and as thin and soft as paper, they are made from finely milled grains and cereals. Nutritious, easy to digest, and convenient to eat, they have long been a beloved staple among Shandong people.

Jianbing is typically rolled with tofu, shredded meat, fried dough sticks, and a variety of other fillings — essentially, anything you can imagine can be wrapped inside. The most classic and common way to enjoy them is rolled with scallions. A large, fresh Shandong scallion is paired with a smear of spicy chili-bean paste or soybean paste, creating a combination that is crisp, juicy, and bursting with flavor.

Tengzhou Jianbing with Vegetable use the pancakes pan-fried together with vegetables such as bean sprouts, chives, lettuce, and vermicelli, with optional additions like ham, chicken strips, or spicy sticks. The result is crispy on the outside, soft inside, aromatic, piping hot, and irresistibly delicious.

Top 2: Dezhou Braised Chicken/德州扒鸡

Dezhou Braised Chicken, also known as Dezhou Five-Spice Boneless Braised Chicken, is one of the Three Treasures of Dezhou, along with watermelon and golden-thread jujubes. As early as the Qianlong reign of the Qing dynasty, it was selected as a tribute from Shandong, sent to the imperial court for the emperor, empress, and royal family to enjoy. In the 1950s, Vice Chairwoman Soong Ching-ling would often stop in Dezhou to purchase this chicken as a gift for Chairman Mao Zedong. Since then, Dezhou Braised Chicken has gained nationwide fame, been exported overseas, and earned the title "The Best Chicken in the World".

Building upon the traditional braised chicken, Dezhou Braised Chicken adopts techniques from cooking braised pork knuckles and braised beef, resulting in meat that easily separates from the bone. It boasts a savory and juicy flavor, with an elegant, distinctive appearance. The meat is tender, the bones soft, and with a gentle shake, the bones slip free from the fall-apart meat, hence the name "Boneless Braised Chicken".

Top 3: Sweet and Sour Carp/糖醋鲤鱼

Sweet and Sour Carp is a traditional specialty of Jinan, Shandong, and ranks first among the four signature dishes of Shandong cuisine. Jinan lies north of the Yellow River, whose carp are not only plump, tender, and flavorful, but also prized for their golden scales, red tails, and charming appearance, making them a treasured variety beloved by diners and famed far and wide.

Score both sides of the Yellow River carp, coating it in a starch batter, and deep-frying it until golden brown and arched in shape. The fish is then arranged on a plate to resemble a "carp leaping over the dragon gate", then drizzled with a sweet-and-sour sauce made from minced garlic, vinegar, sugar, and starch slurry. With its head and tail lifted, the dish boasts an elegant, grand presentation, a bright red glaze, and a rich aroma that is both sweet and sour, crispy on the outside and tender within, serving to show the meticulous craftsmanship that defines Shandong cuisine inside and out.

Top 4: Four Joy Meatballs/四喜丸子

Four Joy Meatballs are a classic traditional Chinese dish and a signature of Shandong cuisine. They are plump in color, rich in aroma, savory, crisp yet tender, and delicately smooth, typically served four to a plate. They symbolize the four great joys of life, that is fortune, prosperity, longevity, and happiness. Often featured as the grand finale of wedding banquets, birthday feasts, and other celebrations, they are cherished for their auspicious meaning.

Legend has it that Four Joy Meatballs were presented to celebrate Tang Dynasty Prime Minister Zhang Jiuling's success in topping the imperial examination, gaining a fine marriage, and enjoying family reunion. The preparation is similar to that of Lion's Head meatballs, except that Four Joy Meatballs are strictly served in sets of four.

Top 5: Braised Intestines in Brown Sauce/九转大肠

Braised Intestines in Brown Sauce is a traditional specialty of Jinan, and is also a classic of Shandong cuisine. Originating in the early Guangxu period of the Qing dynasty, it was first created by Chiou Hwa Restaurant.

The dish is prepared by first simmering the pork intestines with spices in boiling water until tender, then braising them, repeating the process several times until fully cooked. Later, the method was refined: after boiling, the intestines are deep-fried before braising, forming three distinct steps to enhance the flavor. The flavor blends sweetness, sourness, bitterness, spiciness, and saltiness, and once cooked, it is sprinkled with chopped coriander and served glistening red, rich but not greasy, earning fame throughout the city.

Top 6: Braised Trepang with Scallions/葱烧海参

Braised Trepang with Scallions is a signature dish from the Jiaodong region of Shandong and one of the representative dishes of Shandong cuisine. Originating from Yantai's Fushan cuisine, it features rehydrated trepang and large scallions as its main ingredients. The trepang is fresh, tender, and smooth, while the scallions are rich in aroma, that is regarded as one of the "Eight Delicacies of Ancient and Modern Times".

Originally, braised trepang was not particularly remarkable among trepang dishes, as its flavor was mild and plain. Though naturally a tonic, trepang carries a strong inherent taste, which scallions can perfectly offset by removing meaty, fishy, and gamey odors. The two are an ideal pairing, infused with a rich sauce and robust flavor inside, coated with deep color outside, achieving excellence in color, aroma, taste, and presentation.

Top 7: Mackerel Dumpling/鲅鱼水饺

Mackerel Dumpling is a traditional specialty from the Jiaodong region. Shandong is one of the important birthplaces of dumplings, and during the Qing Dynasty, seafood dumpling shops flourished across the Jiaodong Peninsula, Yantai, Qingdao, and Jinan, reaching as far as Beijing. Among them, mackerel and sea conch dumplings were especially renowned.

Mackerel has firm, tender, and flavorful flesh. Made with fresh mackerel, combined with an appropriate amount of pork belly and chives for the filling, Dumplings retain the mackerel's juicy freshness, making them irresistible. Paired with chili oil or vinegar, they are even more delicious.

Top 8: Zibo Barbecue/淄博烧烤

Zibo Barbecue, unique to Zibo City in Shandong and its surrounding areas, is known for its fresh spiciness, fragrant chewiness, tender juiciness, and rich yet non-greasy flavor, which represents a distinctive part of Zibo's food culture. In authentic Zibo barbecue, every table is equipped with a small grill. The skewers arrive half-cooked, and diners will control the final doneness themselves.

To eat, take two sizzling, oil-dripping skewers, coat them in dipping sauce, then lay them on a small flatbread. Hold the bread in your palm, grip the skewers tightly, and pull the sticks out, leaving the meat wrapped inside the bread. Add some scallions, roll them up, and take a bite. The bread's wheat aroma, combined with the nutty fragrance of peanuts and sesame in the dipping sauce, mingles with the freshly grilled meat. The bread softens the slightly salty meat, the dipping sauce enhances its fragrance, and the scallion cuts through the richness, balancing and complementing each other perfectly.

Where to eat

Top 1: Yanxitang Restaurant/燕喜堂饭庄

Yanxitang is one of the few remaining China Time-honored Brands in Jinan, Shandong, a golden emblem of culinary heritage and an important representative of Shandong cuisine during its golden age. Founded in March 1932, it is renowned for its clear broth and creamy soup. After experiencing ups and downs over the decades, Yanxitang Restaurant reopened in 2006. In its newly built, ancient-style home, it has once again become a hallmark of Lixia-style delicacies.

• Recommended: Braised Trepang with Scallions, Stir-fried Kidneys, Sweet and Sour Carp, Steamed Carp in Spring Water
• Operating Hours: 11:00 AM – 02:00 PM & 05:00 PM – 09:30 PM
• Address: No. 5 Jinju Lane, Quancheng road, lixia district, Jinan, Shandong
• Telephone: 19805316960

Top 2: Chuange Fish Dumpling/船歌鱼水饺

Chuange Fish Dumplings originated from the traditional fisherfolk cuisine of Jiaodong, specializing in seafood dumplings known for their delicate texture, fresh flavor, and rich nutrition. They are celebrated as a "culinary calling card" of Qingdao. The restaurant blends Qingdao's traditional boat-song culture into its design, with décor featuring fishing nets, boat poles, and other maritime elements, creating a rustic fisherfolk atmosphere throughout. It consistently ranks among the top spots on Qingdao's dining lists.

• Recommended: Cuttlefish Dumpling, Yellow Croaker Dumpling, Mackerel Dumpling, Sea Urchin Dumpling
• Operating Hours: 09:00 AM – 09:00 PM
• Address: No. 57, Minjiang 2nd Road, Shinan District, Qingdao, Shandong
• Telephone: 0532-80778001

Top 3: Luya Restautant/鲁雅饭庄

Luya Restaurant is a well-known eatery in Jinan, specializing in authentic Shandong cuisine. The chefs, including the owner himself, are all highly experienced masters of Shandong cooking. With delicious dishes offered at fair prices, it is a place where diners can both savor the essence of authentic Shandong flavors and experience the rich local culture. Without a doubt, Luya Restaurant is an excellent choice.

• Recommended: Stir-fried Chicken with Sichuan pepper, Braised Intestines in Brown Sauce, Braised Pork Tenderloin
• Operating Hours: 08:30 AM – 02:00 PM & 04:30 PM – 09:00 PM
• Address: Mingzhu North District, Huiquan Road, Zhangqiu District, Shandong
• Telephone: (0531)83278123

Top 4: Wanshenghe Restaurant/万盛合酒楼

Wanshenghe was originally founded in Weifang and later relocated to Yantai for better development. It is a representative of high-end Shandong cuisine in Yantai, delighting diners for over a century. The chefs inherit the traditional techniques and spirit of Shandong cuisine while embracing innovation to keep pace with the times. With its prime location at Fisherman Wharf, guests seated by the window can enjoy stunning sea views as they dine.

• Recommended: Braised Trepang with Scallions, Braised Intestines in Brown Sauce, Cherry Pork, Urechis Unicinctus Rice
• Operating Hours: 10:30 AM – 01:30 PM & 05:00 PM – 08:30 PM
• Address: No. 566, Yinhai Road, Laishan District, Yantai, Shandong
• Telephone: (0535)6792968

Top 5: Muyangcun Barbecue/牧羊村烧烤

Muyangcun Barbecue Restaurant, as the pioneer of Zibo Barbecue, first introduced the signature way of eating—wrapping grilled meat in small flatbreads. It has drawn countless visitors from outside the city: some wait in line for hours just to savor authentic barbecue, others livestream their food experiences, and some come specifically for business gatherings or events. At its peak, Muyangcun Barbecue seemed to become a unique attraction in its own right, drawing tourists from all directions.

• Recommended: Zibo Barbecue
• Operating Hours: 11:00 AM – 02:00 PM & 05:00 PM – 11:00 PM
• Address: Linze Road, Zhangdian District, Zibo, Shandong
• Telephone: 13625333886