Market Life in Eastern China: Lantern Cake, Braised Meat Feast, Smoked Goose & Top-Quality Fruits!
“This meat looks beautiful and tastes amazing!” Hello friends, I’m DaWen. Today I’ve arrived in Zhejiang Province, eastern China. Let’s begin exploring this century-old market hidden in a modern metropolis! This stall sells smoked goose. The goose is marinated with spices, then slowly smoked over wood chips until it’s glossy and reddish brown. Its skin is slightly crispy with a rich smoky aroma. The meat is infused with savory flavors, firm but not dry—more you chew, the tastier it gets. This stall sells braised duck in sesame oil. They use Muscovy duck, slow-braised with spices and sesame oil until tender but intact. The first bite hits you with the aroma of five spice and sesame oil. Then comes the duck meat—slightly sweet, slightly salty, and richly flavorful. This vendor is braising beef shank. The beef was pre-stewed for hours until tender. Now it’s going back into the braising pot to soak up flavor. It’ll continue braising for another 30 minutes before serving. The aroma is irresistible! With repeated braising, the meat and tendons are thoroughly infused with flavor. Once sliced, it holds shape but is incredibly tender. This braised beef shank is rich and aromatic—it lingers in the mouth. This dish is stewed beef tendon. After hours of stewing, it becomes glossy, soft, and springy. It’s chewy, flavorful, and full of meaty richness. Rich in collagen, it’s especially popular among beauty-conscious foodies. This dish is braised omasum (beef tripe). Animal offal shunned in many countries is considered a delicacy in China. This dish is braised pig ears. The marinade is rich, and the texture is crispy and delightful. (Note: Correct label should be ‘Braised Pig Ears’) This vendor is pounding fish slices. The fish is first coated with starch. Then slowly pounded into thin sheets using a wooden mallet. The process gives the fish a bouncy, elastic texture. These slices are often used in soups or noodles—tender and springy when cooked. They’re also commonly cooked with shredded chicken and shiitake mushrooms—absolutely delicious. This vendor is making a traditional Zhejiang snack: lantern cakes. This bowl contains shredded white radish. They season it with some chicken bouillon. The filling includes shredded radish, cured pork, and egg. That golden color is mouthwatering! See? The lantern cakes really look like tiny half-sphere lampshades! Crispy outside, savory and juicy inside. Absolutely delicious—highly recommended! This is braised pork bones. The meat is soft and tender, the sauce rich and flavorful. Trust these veteran vendors with discerning palates—they know good braised meat! This one’s braised beef hoof. And this one’s braised pig trotter. This massive wok of mixed braised dishes is truly tempting! It includes pig trotters, pork ribs, pig ears, tofu skin, kelp, string beans, and more. This classic dish is tofu skin rolls with meat filling. Here are braised goose wings and chicken wings. These soft-shell crabs are usually deep-fried. You eat them whole—crunchy and savory to the core! This is marinated crab with roe—ready to eat as is. Salty and umami-packed, with a burst of rich roe. Green crabs are best steamed to preserve their original flavor. Crack them open and golden roe spills out—fragrant and fresh. They’re one of the most sought-after local seafood. These are clams. In China, clams are usually stir-fried quickly with ginger, scallions, and sauce. A beloved late-night snack. This shellfish is called razor clam—plump and tender. It has a milder taste than clams. Perfect for those who prefer a more natural flavor. These abalones are fat and fresh—only 4 yuan each! The cheapest abalone I’ve ever seen in a market. This vendor sells sea snails, typically blanched with ginger and cooking wine. Once cooked, they’re tender, springy, juicy, and flavorful. The market is packed with rare and unusual seafood. These small white shrimp are pricier than the large ones despite their size. These are nine-section shrimp—thin-shelled and sweet. Anchovies are often deep-fried—crispy outside, tender inside, with a hint of the sea. Every kind of sea fish you can imagine is here. Yellow croaker has few bones, high in protein and low in fat—perfect for steaming or frying. This stall sells various deep-fried vegetables. These are deep-fried lotus root slices. You’d never guess—this huge basin is full of deep-fried cauliflower! So fragrant it makes your mouth water. The slightly charred edges are the tastiest—an all-time favorite vegetarian snack. Fresh beef is just 56 yuan per kilogram. Each beef vendor offers detailed and attentive service. They’ll slice the meat to your exact preference on the spot. This thoughtful service really saves customers a lot of prep time. What is this vendor passionately promoting with such enthusiasm? Just look at the energy! Who would’ve thought he’s just selling a green vegetable that looks like a cucumber—but is used for soup! Cheap and fresh—who wouldn’t want to grab a good deal and take it home? Broccoli is only 4 yuan per kilogram. The veggies here are unbelievably cheap! Eggs range from 16 to 40 yuan per kilogram, depending on quality. This tropical fruit is called mangosteen. Vendor: 44.6 yuan. Customer: How about 44? Vendor: No way, 44.5 at least! Mangosteen is a tropical fruit native to Southeast Asia, rarely seen outside of Asia. Its flesh looks like clusters of white garlic cloves. Soft, juicy, with a sweet and slightly tangy taste. Rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, it’s great for skin health. Mangosteen is very popular in China. Me: I’ll take 500 grams of blueberries. I’ve never seen blueberries this big before! Even more surprising—the price is incredibly low. Only 30 yuan per kilogram. Big, sweet, fragrant, and cheap—these blueberries are a true bargain! Have you ever seen blueberries this huge? These aren’t raspberries or blackberries. They’re mulberries—a beloved early summer treat in China. Sweet and tangy, they leave a stain and a fragrance on your fingers. Rich in anthocyanins and vitamin C, mulberries help with sleep and eye health. They’re one of the most tempting wild fruits of the short early summer season. Fresh mulberries are plump and juicy. A gentle squeeze releases dark purple juice. This is yangmei, or Chinese bayberry—a signature fruit of southern China’s early summer. Each bite bursts with juice. Nowadays, it’s also widely used in fresh-made fruit drinks. Its sweet and tangy flavor makes it one of China’s favorite seasonal fruits. This is white loquat—a Zhejiang specialty. Compared to the orange kind, white loquats have a more intense aroma. Low-profile in appearance, but hiding the freshest sweetness of early summer. In China, it’s not just a fruit— It’s also a natural remedy cherished for soothing the throat and lungs. One bite is juicy, soft, and incredibly refreshing. Today’s healthy snack? A bag of these sweet, juicy loquats! This market is full of life, flavor, and down-to-earth local vibes. This century-old market, hidden deep in the city— Its wooden beams and brick walls radiate a nostalgic atmosphere. It’s the kind of place that keeps calling you back. Don’t forget to like and subscribe—see you next time at another market!
In this episode, we step into a hidden century-old morning market tucked inside a bustling modern city in Zhejiang, Eastern China — a place where time slows down and the rich scent of street food fills the air. From sizzling smoked goose and aromatic sesame oil duck to tender, slow-braised beef shank and collagen-rich tendons, every bite reflects generations of flavor. One massive pot simmers with a mix of soy-braised meats and vegetables, sending out irresistible waves of umami.
Watch vendors expertly pound fish into thin, delicate slices, and fry crispy golden lantern cakes to perfection. At the seafood stalls, plump sea crabs, soft-shell crabs, and roe-filled marinated crabs are steaming hot, while clams and live prawns are cooked fresh on the spot. You’ll also see deep-fried vegetables, hand-cut beef, and a colorful array of juicy fruits — mulberries bursting with juice, jumbo blueberries, tangy bayberries, and fragrant loquats.
This market is a true slice of daily life in Zhejiang — and a reflection of the broader food culture in southern China. Join me as we step into the city’s most lively, authentic market and experience real Chinese street food, local flavors, and everyday warmth, all under traditional tile-roofed halls.
00:00 Video Overview
01:29 Entering the Market
01:55 Smoked Goose & Sesame Oil Duck
03:24 Braised Beef
07:46 Pounded Fish Slices
09:16 Lantern Cake
13:05 Mixed Braised Dishes
16:00 Various Sea Crabs
17:11 Shellfish & Sea Prawns
20:37 Deep-Fried Vegetables
22:07 Vegetable Stalls & Broccoli
24:48 Jumbo Blueberries & Mulberries
27:06 Juicy Chinese Bayberry & Loquats
#ChineseStreetFood #HiddenMarkets #ChinaFood #StreetFoodLovers #BraisedMeat #FreshSeafood #ExoticFruits #FoodMarketTour #TraditionalChineseFood #MarketLifeChina
40 Comments
Fantástico mercado callejero, con unos alimentos muy apetitosos. Aquí hay una comida típica con el estómago de res, y te aseguro que es deliciosa. Se conoce como callos. Si que hay comidas que debido a su textura no me atraen, como una que saio en tu anterior video . Pero en general maravillosa. Un saludo desde España
Bonjour Dawen,
merci pour ce dépaysement,sur vos marchés il y a beaucoup de stands de nourriture des gens qui cuisinent c'est très très bien.
Bravo amigo , feliz finde , hoy me tocó trabajar , a la noche lo veo , 🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🤗🤗🤗🤗
Witam.Podali pyszności a mnie nie ma 😂Potrafię wyobrazić sobie poczuć te wszystkie zapachy.Wszystko rozpływa się w ustach.Juz będzie noc nie przespana😂Wszystko będzie mi się śniło,że mnie okrąża 😂To są Mistrzowie.Dziekuje.❤😊❤
Olá. Gostei muito do ganso defumado. É uma iguaria que não temos aqui. Adoro músculo bovino. Aí vcs cozinham em pedaços grandes. Interessante. É uma carne muito saborosa. Acho o máximo as diversas formas de preparar as carnes e peixes. Parabéns pelo vídeo delicioso 😋
Merhaba elinize emeğinize sağlık yine cok güzel bir pazar keyfi yaşattınız sevgiyle kalın ❤❤❤
Te veo desde España,que rica tradicion culinaria teneis.es un espectaculo para la vista y para el paladrar
El precio es en Yuanes?
Gracias por mostrarlo
Эта кухня близка нам 🤩
Загуглите статистику рака и сердечно-сосудистых заболеваний в Китае. Это же какой то кошмар🤦🏻♂️.
Человеческий организм не имеет ни одного признака хищника, отсутствует даже малейшее сходство. Прежде всего в системе пищеварения. Он не в состоянии переваривать животный белок. Это смертельная, токсичная "еда".
Люди делают вид, что статистика это что-то, что их не коснётся. Так легче жить, безответственно за свои действия, и их последствия. Максимум до 30 лет, тело человека прощает ему его прегрешения в части неправильного питания. А потом разом начинает сыпаться, и скорость разрушения растёт неумолимо. Неизбежно вы пополните собой эту страшную статистику.
Люди живут так мало, и с таким страданиями во второй половине жизни , благодаря своему невежеству, и не желанию что-то менять. Болезни, и смерть, это не генетически запрограммированные события, а лишь следствия образа жизни.
Культура среды, гле рождается Человек, программирует его как робота. И далее он следует за всеми, повторяя то, что делает толпа, и двигаясь вместе с ними к своему трагическому финалу. Их с младенчества подсадили на такую "еду", как наркоманов на героин. Они не знают альтернативы, другой жизни. Им лень попробовать что-то радикально другое. Они слепо, и как глухие движутся единым маршем в могилу, увлекая друг друга такими роликами со вкусной "едой".
И никого ни разу не смущает что в Природе нет ни одного живого существа, которое питалось бы термически приготовленной, убитой пищей!
Настолько люди-роботы слепы и глухи…
Что они думают, что Бог создал Человека сразу со сковородками , кастрюлями, и индукционной плитой. А весь остальной Мир создан по другому, единому для Всего живого(но не для Человека) закону.
Китай зашёл так далеко, во всем, что касается питания . Достаточно посмотреть что они умудрились сотворить со своей агрокультурой. Сегодня это химическое земледелие, которое производит "пластмассовые", безвкусные помидоры, и другие овощи и фрукты. Сочувствую вам🙏
💯👍🏻🌹
T,di muy rico,amigo , y marisco s hhummmmmm .delicia total para mi , gracias y la fruta muy buena 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏💓😋💓💓😂😂buen fin de semana
bò hầm sao rẻ giữ ,70-100ngàn kg
I was in Hong Kong for a week in 2023 and let me tell you. Those Noodles, Dumplings and Crispy duck OMG. I brought some back for my family n they loved it. Planning out my Birthday China 2026 trip now. Two weeks in Heaven
Any new video is full of surprises with the endless types of chinese food. All the best, From Brazil.
👍😃
27:09 – янмэй – жаль что не раскусили/не разрезали – интересно бы было посмотреть какая она внутри )
J AI FAIM
Hi DaWen, I really liked the look of the Lantern Cake, was that noodle or Potatoe used in then with the meeat product
Querido DaWen!, exquisitas comidas para mí, me encantan los tendones y la oreja blandita, las patas de res estofadas y hervidas que se deshacen en la 👄🤤. Los camarones diminutos, gustan mucho, fritos, y se llaman QUISQUILLAS. Las alitas estofadas,…y no pararía 🤣. Nunca he visto arándanos tan enormes!! y además muy baratos. Hay frutas que no conocemos, pero la mayoría sí aunque son de temporada cómo las Moras, cerezas los Nísperos Etc., yo tomo mermelada de ese tipo de moras que la hace una familia de la montaña, la compro para todo el año, hacen una vez sólo una cosecha. Las navajas nos gustan mucho a la plancha con limón, y las almejas en salsa verde, Umm deliciosas.
No me puedo olvidar de esas verduras fritas, un vicio 🤣. Verdaderamente estoy siendo consciente que hay productos distintos, pero en general veo que España tiene también una gran variedad de comidas al igual que en China, quizá sean más las numerosas y exóticas preparaciones y especias que nosotros usamos menos.
Siempre agradezco tus videos, son tan ricos , interesantes y bien editados!,…Jajaj lo que no te perdono jamás ( broma ), esque te lo comas todooooo!!!! y yo con los 👀 metidos en la pantalla , 😂 JA 😂 JA .Paz y Bien amigo, seguimos visitando contigo!!🌿🌿🕊🕊👍👍.
The hidden markets of Eastern China are truly a paradise for food lovers. The savory braised meat, fresh seafood, and juicy tropical fruits create an unforgettable culinary experience. It's amazing how these markets offer a taste of local culture with every bite, bringing both tradition and freshness to the table. 🍤🍊🥢
Love this insight, am hooked on all your videos
No wonder the vegetables in this market are cheap, with all the meat and fish that they have to compete with, it's not a fair battle at all.🤤 The diversity on offer is just amazing, especially with fish and seafood; quite telling that you are in a maritime province. As tempting as they look, I would however personally be uneasy to go for those due to pollution concerns. Even here there are rivers I wouldn't touch the fish, even though those have been declared "clean" for years. Heavy metals don't wash away that easy. How is it over there?
Again, thank you for having brightened my rainy Saturday!❤🙌
This channel is the best for street markets/street food! 🌟
Heerlijk DaWen!
Thank you for your creativity
充滿物價低的美食 好幸福 香港太貴了東西越嚟越難吃 有點想移居😢
Thank you Darren for your great videos
❤ молодец))
More and more delicious food to enjoy DW wish have this kind of market here in the Philippines thanks for sharing ❤❤❤
❤ Cheers ❤
Mến chào anh Văn nhé , đầu tiên em chúc anh nhiều sức khỏe bình an và gặp nhiều may mắn. Em rất thích món ăn của china đặc biệt là bánh bao , ở đây khác với Việt Nam em , chợ ở Việt Nam thì mọi người đi xe máy vô trong chợ luôn 😊, còn chợ bên anh thì mọi người đều đi bộ , bữa sau anh quay chỗ nào có bán nhiều bánh bao để em ăn nha Hjhj 😁 . Em rất thích video của anh và chúc anh luôn mạnh khỏe ăn uống đầy đủ để có sức đi chợ nhé😊🥖🍔🌭🥪🍜🍗❤
LOVE FROM VIETNAM 🇻🇳 HELLO 😊 LOVE YOUR VIDEO 👍GOOD DAY 👌👍😊❤
Love the food & your channel ❤ May I ask what cameras do u use for the video ?
Фонарный пирожок впечатляет, как и навыки повара! Черника просто монстр)) Не перестаю восхищаться изобретательности Китайских кулинаров!
Are these halal foods for tourists who intend to visit China?
Hola me encantan tus videos,saludos desde República Dominicana
Dragon Boat Festival is coming soon….I have seen pig ears in the video…I want to tell you that it's very hard to find pig ears in the UK… I have checked so many butchers here in London, they don't have pig ears..I wonder what they are doing with the pig ears… probably food for dogs or cats…
Hi Mr dawen news from America we like some braised beef shanks , we want a dozen lantern cakes,I got a question what part of the cow ull don’t eat “ the crap or ull still used in a dishes because if ull put it with some the sauces ull used I’ll try it, I bet wars being fought and won over those pork ribs , I got some crabs , ( the ones u can eat) not the ones u get if u go out with a lady of night , gets some clams ,abalone, and some fish we will kill that with some beer ,that beef look so good I won’t even bother to cook it I will take it raw,ain’t a luffa is that thing u used ti wash ur booty with it,I’m a possum I love eggs,blue berries,mulberries,bayberries,and what ever those yellow are , how much is it I will leave a tip too, hey I saw a dragon last night told me “ say hi to dawen from me” I think I will never eat mushrooms that I found in the woods again 😸❤️🇺🇸🇸🇻🌎
国内哪个平台有你的频道？很不错的美食地图，大部分地方我还没去过。
bonjour DaWen. J'ai particulièrement aimé ce marché, que j'ai trouvé plus familial, plus proche de moi, je ne sais pas si je me fais bien comprendre, mais c'est ce que je ressens . encore une fois merci😄
Me subscribing to your channel added to your 1.20 lakh subscriber 😅 Kudos 🎉 🥳 one thing which I observed in your channel is that China doesn't need any fancy restaurant where only the rich, the elite or the affluent can enjoy, coz all the best and delicious food are easily affordable for most of the population everywhere. Appreciate how people are deligent and really working hard to earn money.