Street food that you absolutely must try when visiting Hekou.

Hekou town, located in Hekou Autonomous County, Yunnan Province, is separated from Lao Cai city by the Nam Thi River. It's a small town, suitable for a day trip or as part of a trip to Sa Pa.

Upon arriving in Hekou, visitors will have their hungry stomachs satisfied by a culinary paradise overflowing with diverse and flavorful Chinese dishes, just like in the movies they've seen. Let Travellive guide you through some of the street food that food connoisseurs simply can't resist when visiting Hekou.

Milk tea

Milk tea – a favorite drink of many young people – can be found all over the streets of Hekou with a variety of brands. Notable examples include Yi He Tang, 123Smile, and Chaxixi… The two most popular drinks at these milk tea brands are roasted milk tea and fruit tea. The slightly bitter taste of the tea leaves, the rich creaminess of the milk, and the slightly burnt flavor of the roasted sugar topping are the special characteristics that make roasted milk tea so famous. In contrast, fruit tea offers customers a refreshing and cool experience from the various fruits. Each cup of milk tea in Hekou is quite affordable, ranging from 6 to 10 yuan (equivalent to 20,000 to 30,000 VND).

Zhejiang Baked Goods

It would be a mistake to talk about Hekou cuisine without mentioning Zhejiang baked buns. These round baked buns are special because when a customer orders, the owner only then rolls out the dough, shapes the bun, adds the filling, and bakes it against the side of the oven. Diners always get to enjoy freshly baked buns, hot from the oven, with a crispy crust and a fragrant sesame aroma. There are two types of fillings: savory and sweet, to choose from according to personal preference. For the sweet filling, you can choose white sugar or red bean paste. The savory filling offers a different experience with a combination of minced pork or beef, seaweed, and a sprinkle of green onions.

Steamed buns, dumplings, wontons

Steamed buns, dumplings, and wontons are famous Chinese dishes. The filling contains minced meat, mushrooms, and scallions, seasoned to perfection. When eaten hot, connoisseurs appreciate the soft, moist texture of the wrapper and the rich flavor of the meat filling. The buns are dipped in a dark soy sauce, creating a harmonious flavor profile. Each steamer basket of buns costs between 8 and 20 yuan (approximately 25,000 to 60,000 Vietnamese dong).

Grilled squid by Mr. Baldy

The authentic spicy and numbing flavors of Chinese cuisine in Hekou are best enjoyed on skewers, with the grilled squid on Ông Trọc (Bald Man) being a standout. With each bite, you'll experience the crisp, fresh squid in a rich sauce, infused with the pungent spiciness of onions, scallions, pepper, chili, and other characteristic seasonings. A minimum order of 10 skewers is required, each costing 2 yuan. The impressively spicy and numbing flavor is what makes food lovers crave more and more.

Giant sausages

Unlike Vietnamese sausages, when eating giant sausages, you have to sprinkle plenty of chili powder on top to experience the characteristic spicy and numbing flavor. The sausage skewers, with their rich, savory, and chewy texture, are the perfect choice for diners seeking an impressive street food experience in Hekou.

Most eateries in Hekou are easy to find and reasonably priced. Pack your bags and head to Hekou now to indulge in this diverse street food paradise.

Phuong Mai is a reporter for Travellive Magazine in Hanoi.

Phuong Mai