Dalian · A City’s Color
Dalian’s colors are deep sea blue and golden sand—the rocky coastline of Xinghai Bay, the historic tram cars rattling through tree-lined streets, the neon-lit seafood stalls along Russian Style Street. Unlike inland Northeast cities, Dalian breathes salt air and carries the cosmopolitan spirit of its Russian and Japanese colonial past.
Signature Snacks
Seafood Noodles
Dalian’s answer to ramen, built around the Bohai Sea’s extraordinary bounty. Hand-pulled wheat noodles swim in a milky broth made from shrimp shells, crab, and dried scallops. Each bowl comes loaded with clams, shrimp, fish cake, and whatever the fishermen brought in that morning.
Grilled Squid
Walk any Dalian night market and you will smell it before you see it—whole squid sizzling on charcoal grills, brushed with a secret mix of chili paste, cumin, and sesame oil. The flesh stays tender while the edges char and curl. Squeeze fresh lemon over it and eat it on a stick right on the boardwalk.
Cold Noodles
Not the Korean-style buckwheat noodles—Dalian cold noodles use thick wheat noodles in a room-temperature broth of diluted sesame paste, vinegar, soy sauce, and chili oil. Topped with shredded cucumber, bean sprouts, crushed peanuts, and a soft-boiled egg. The perfect antidote to humid summer days by the sea.
Sea Urchin Dumplings
A true Dalian luxury. Fresh sea urchin roe is folded into a pork filling and wrapped in translucent dough. Each dumpling bursts with the creamy, briny sweetness of the urchin. Available at high-end dumpling houses and worth every yuan.
Braised Abalone
Dalian is China’s abalone capital, and the locally farmed variety is celebrated across the country. Slow-braised in a reduction of soy sauce, oyster sauce, and Shaoxing wine, the abalone turns buttery-soft while retaining its signature chew. Often served as the centerpiece of banquet tables.
Recommended Shops
| Shop | Address | Specialty |
|---|---|---|
| Haidilao Jiaozi Wang | Zhongshan District, Qingniwaqiao | Sea Urchin Dumplings |
| Lao Ma Tou Seafood | Shahekou District, Xinghai Square | Braised Abalone |
| Russian Style Street Market | Xigang District | Grilled Squid |
| Xian Noodles House | Zhongshan District, Youhao Square | Seafood Noodles |
Travel Tips
Take the historic tram (line 201) through the city center for a ride back to the early 1900s. Visit Xinghai Square at sunset, then hit the night market stalls nearby. Best seafood season is April through October when the waters are warmest and catches are at their peak.