Xiamen - Eating
Xiamen has a good mix of restaurants, with a high number of Italian pasta and pizza restaurants. However, not surprisingly, the Chinese cuisine is more abundant than any other in the city, and the range covers most of Chinas provinces, from Shanghai to Mongolia. With the Straits of Formosa and the South China Sea close by, it’s not surprising that many of the local delicacies are sea food. The traditional method for crab is to cook the crustacean live which Xiamen chefs maintain is necessary to keep the flavor. Fujian restaurants often specialize in these crab dishes, and in fact there was once a “Fried Crab Street” Local dishes include: Ginger Duck, Fried Crab, Jellyfish Salad, Seasoned Oysters and Xiamen Fried Noodle.
Shuyou Seafood Restaurant
One of Xiamen’s oldest restaurants. Their specialty are local seafood, which is seasonal. Oysters, eels, octopus and despite many concerns, sharks fin is still very popular in China.
Nanputuo Vegetarian
The restaurant is in the monastery and serves some of the best vegetarian food in the region.
Tutto Bene
Italian and western cuisine, this was the first Italian restaurant in Xiamen and is one of the most popular.
Indiano John’s Samrat
Traditional Indian cuisine with modern creative additions.
The House
Californian cuisine (closed Monday) Western steaks and as expected in American style. Occasional wine tasting evenings, with invited guests from Californian vineyards.
Afanti
Xianjung (Northern) cuisine. Barbecue lamb. Big Plate Chicken. This is a very large plate of chicken, so an alternative can be the Small plate Chicken, which is still sufficient for four people. The barbecued lamb is often a starter.
