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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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! 🍡🍮🍵