1.Malatang (numb, spicy soup）

2.Sheng jian (fried bun)

It's hard to resist succulent pork buns, especially when they are fried and garnished with fresh spring onion and toasted sesame.

3.Xiaolongbao (soup dumpling)

RMB 4 usually gets you eight of these velvety and delicate Shanghai classics. The cure for any hunger pang, these are seriously good.

4.Cong You Bing (green onion pancake)

The best green onion pancakes are cooked up by little old grannies who get up at 6 a.m. to cook, knead and slap these petite bing in the city's many longtangs.

5.Tofu flower soup

Made by curdling soy milk, this smooth tofu soup contains the subtle flavor of soybeans beneath a colorful mixed dressing of dried shrimps, pickled radish, seaweed, scallion, soy sauce and chili oil.

6.Stinky tofu

You know you are becoming a true Chinese when you start craving stinky tofu.

7.Hong shan yu (baked sweet potato)

Sweet, fluffy, and fibrous, these baked sweet potatoes are a nice contrast to most cheap eats in China. Usually sold out of a pushcart, they are one of the healthiest snacks in town.

8.Kebabs

Few things taste better at four in the morning than a few grilled kebabs. Our favorite is of course the yang rou chuan (羊肉串) -- lamb kebabs.

9.Liang pi (cold jelly noodles)

Having grown in popularity across the Middle Kingdom, Shaanxi liang pi has established itself as the perfect summer lunch or a snack.

10.Xun yu (smoked fish)

Deep-fried then boiled in soy sauce, this fish dish can be eaten as a starter in traditional festival banquets or simply as a snack when you're out and about.