Food and Restaurants

To say tea is popular in Xiamen is a slight understatement, with over 1,000 tea houses, it's a necessity. Kung fu tea is as essential for the local coffee is for westerners –and has the same kick. Imagine a tea brewed like an espresso. A pot is stuffed with Oolong tea leaves and twice brewed; the tea is then poured into a thimble-sized cup and shot back. Kung fu tea is super strong and will literally have you doing high kicks all night if you drink too many of these mini-cups of caffeine. It'll take some time for you to get used to the strong taste, but it's something the locals savor like connoisseurs. Drinking tea, chatting with friends and loafing away their weekends on a hilltop park is a favorite pastime for the locals.

Xiamen dishes are usually fresh, light and sweet. Seafood restaurants usually have no menus – just point to the critter you want. Although ordering can be a little intimidating and chaotic, what eventually turns up on your plate is usually satisfyingly yummy.

Hakka food is something that shouldn't be missed. The Hakkas were a migratory group of ethnic Han who originated from central China and later settled in southern China. Hakka cuisine doesn't over power the palate and retains the original flavors of the ingredients; their steam ribs and salted baked shrimp are worth a try.

Along with delicious main courses, Xiamen also offers a variety of tasty snacks. Sweet sticky rice with bamboo shoots, leeks and pork, creamy and refreshing peanut soup and sticky rice congee with crabmeat are all delicious.

In and near the Nanputuo Temple are quite a few vegetarian restaurants and you'll leave feeling good that no animals died in making your meal.