DouZhi’er (豆汁儿)

03 Jan 10

In Beijing Flavor (北京风味), Beijing life (北京生活), Tagged Beijing,culture,douzhi,food,jiaoquan,snack,xiancai

douzhi, beijing snack

Douzhi is kind of street snack from Beijing cuisine. It is similar to soy milk, but made from mung beans. It is a by-product of cellophane noodle production. It is generally slightly sour, with an egg-like smell. Most of Chinese people think it’s terrible while old Beijingers enjoy it very much. Usually they drink hot DouZhi with JiaoQuan (taste like fried chips) and pickled vegetables. It’s especially popular in cold winter days, and is considered as a good help to stimulate the appetite and cure the cold.

豆汁是一种北京特色风味小吃，绿豆下脚料发酵熬制而成。本身有股酸溜溜的味儿，一般外地人轻易不敢沾口。可老北京都喜欢喝，特别是寒冷的冬天里，配上碟儿焦圈，细咸菜丝儿。两碗下肚儿，热汗淋漓，既治感冒又开胃，别有风味。

douzhi, beijing snack

It’s said that Douzhi was Bannermen’s food, originally from Liao, and already has a history over 1,000 years. The royal family began to drink it since Qing dynasty. The Empress was said came from a poor family near Beijing Xinjiekou. In her early age she could not afford to eat vegetables, so ate Douzhi instead. Later she made it become an imperial drink. Before liberation there’re small vendors selling Douzhi on streets. They used a blue cloth with white characters on it as a trademark. They offen cried out for customers like this: “Zhi’er, Kai Guo!” However, time chages. Nowdays this kind of street scene cannot be found any more.

相传豆汁最早是辽国的民间食品，至今已有1000多年的历史。而豆汁入宫，始自清代的乾隆年间。据说慈禧幼年时住北京新街口，因家境贫寒就常以豆汁代替蔬菜，到后来更让豆汁成为了清宫御膳的一种饮料。解放前，专有以卖豆汁为生意的小摊贩，或挑担走街串巷，或在集市上摆摊，前沿儿围着块蓝布，上边有白布做的字号商标，叫卖时只吆喝：“汁儿，开锅！”不过，这种情景现在再也感受不到了。

douzhi, beijing snack

Actually I tried Douzhi once with a Bannerman classmate’s accompany. It smells and tastes strange. I don’t like it at all. But it’s no doubt the iconic street food that represents old Beijing folk culture. If you really want to try it, I think this store near Temple of Heaven can be considered.

douzhi, beijing snack