Top 10 Must-Try Chinese Desserts

When traveling in China, you'll find that desserts here are quite different from those in the West. While cakes, cookies, and chocolates dominate Western sweet treats, Chinese desserts often feature red beans, rice, nuts, and fruits, with a balance of sweet, chewy, and refreshing flavors.

Another thing to note is that desserts in China aren’t always served at the end of a meal—they may arrive alongside other dishes since Chinese dining culture focuses on sharing rather than courses. So don’t be surprised if your sweet treat arrives early!

To help you explore China's unique and delicious world of sweets, here are 10 must-try traditional Chinese desserts you can find across the country.


1. Red Bean Bun (豆沙包, Dòushā Bāo)

📍 Where to Find: Restaurants, street food stalls, supermarkets

Red bean paste is a staple ingredient in Chinese desserts, and red bean buns are one of the most popular ways to enjoy it. These soft, steamed buns are filled with smooth, sweet red bean paste, offering a delicious contrast between the fluffy exterior and the creamy filling.

👉 Tip: If you're expecting chocolate because of the color—surprise! It's red bean!

Variations: Other fillings include black sesame, taro, and lotus seed paste.

豆沙包5入裝| 永淥發食品工坊


2. Dragon’s Beard Candy (龙须酥, Lóngxū Sū)

📍 Where to Find: Street stalls, food markets

Originating from the Han Dynasty, this delicate cotton candy-like dessert is made by pulling and twisting sugar into thin, silky strands—resembling a dragon’s beard. It melts in your mouth and often contains fillings like peanuts, coconut, or sesame seeds.

👉 Tip: Since it’s sensitive to heat, eat it quickly before it melts!

趣麦中国美食#  龙须酥,顾名思义,便是用龙须做成的小酥球。一口下去,便是剪不断理还乱的,松松茸茸的甜意。不像绿豆糕那样口感绵密,它将酥质糕点独有的疏松通透演绎到了极致。  ​www.gobuybuy.net : r/asianfood


3. Egg Tart (蛋挞, Dàntà)

📍 Where to Find: Cantonese dim sum restaurants, bakeries, convenience stores

Egg tarts were introduced to China through Macau’s Portuguese influence and are now a beloved pastry across the country. These mini custard tarts have a flaky crust and a sweet, creamy egg filling that is best enjoyed warm.

👉 Tip: Try the Macau-style egg tarts, which have a caramelized top similar to crème brûlée!

澳门葡式蛋挞,自己在家做不麻烦- 拔草- 蜗食记-美食分享平台woshiji.cn


4. Tanghulu (糖葫芦, Tánghúlu)

📍 Where to Find: Beijing street vendors, night markets

Tanghulu is China’s version of candied apples—but even better! These skewered fruits, traditionally made with hawthorn berries, are dipped in syrup that hardens into a crunchy, sweet shell.

👉 Variations: You’ll also find grapes, strawberries, kiwis, and even cherry tomatoes coated in sugar.

想吃糖葫芦不用买,自己在家就能做,方法简单干净卫生,酸甜好吃


5. Pumpkin Pancake (南瓜饼, Nánguā Bǐng)

📍 Where to Find: Sichuan-style restaurants, street food stalls

These crispy, golden pancakes are made from mashed pumpkin, sugar, and flour, then deep-fried until slightly crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. Sometimes they’re sprinkled with sesame seeds for extra flavor.

👉 Best time to eat: Popular in winter, when people crave warm, comforting sweets.

南瓜饼奶酪南瓜馅饼- Pixabay上的免费照片


6. Sweet Egg Bun (奶黄包, Nǎihuáng Bāo)

📍 Where to Find: Cantonese dim sum restaurants

These steamed buns have a creamy, sweet custard filling made from egg yolk and sugar. When served hot, the filling becomes gooey and delicious.

👉 Tip: Some versions have a salted egg yolk filling, creating a sweet-salty explosion of flavors.

奶黃包405g | S食Mart


7. Deep-Fried Durian (榴莲酥, Liúlián Sū)

📍 Where to Find: Southern Chinese restaurants, night markets

Durian is Asia’s most infamous fruit—it smells strong, but if you can get past the aroma, the taste is sweet, creamy, and rich. In this dessert, durian is wrapped in batter and deep-fried, making it crispy on the outside and soft inside.

👉 Tip: Avoid touching durian with your bare hands—it’s hard to get the smell off!

非常酥脆【榴莲酥】,喜欢吃榴莲的朋友一定会喜欢!Durian Pastry !


8. Tangyuan (汤圆, Tāngyuán) – Sweet Glutinous Rice Balls

📍 Where to Find: Restaurants, family homes (especially during Lantern Festival)

Tangyuan is a warm, comforting dessert soup with soft, chewy rice balls made from glutinous rice flour. These balls are usually filled with black sesame paste, red bean paste, or peanut paste.

👉 Cultural Significance: Tangyuan is eaten during the Lantern Festival, as its name sounds like "tuányuán" (团圆), meaning family reunion.

这几类人吃汤圆要当心!怎样吃汤圆才健康?快来学做营养汤圆~|上海市消保委健康消费办_上观新闻


9. Almond Jelly (杏仁冻, Xìngrén Dòng)

📍 Where to Find: Cantonese restaurants, dessert shops

This creamy, white jelly is light and refreshing, perfect after a heavy meal. Although it’s called “almond” jelly, it’s actually made from apricot kernel milk, which has a mild nutty flavor.

👉 Best served with: Fresh fruit or sweet osmanthus syrup.

桂花杏仁豆腐怎么做_桂花杏仁豆腐的做法_豆果美食


10. Grass Jelly (烧仙草, Shāo Xiāncǎo)

📍 Where to Find: Bubble tea shops, dessert cafes

A cooling, herbal jelly, grass jelly is made from mesona plant extract and has a slightly earthy, bittersweet flavor. It’s often eaten plain, with syrup, or mixed into bubble tea and desserts.

👉 Perfect for: Hot summer days! It’s believed to have cooling properties according to Chinese medicine.

纯手工自制芋圆烧仙草,配方步骤详细,2分钟学会,Q弹爽滑又解暑


Sweeten Your China Trip!

China offers a diverse and delicious world of desserts, from crispy egg tarts to chewy tangyuan. Whether you love sweet, nutty, fruity, or herbal flavors, there's something for every sweet tooth.

Which Chinese dessert are you most excited to try? Let us know, and we can help you find the best spots to enjoy these treats on your China trip! 🍡🍮🍵

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