Jensen Huang's Beijing Food Tour
Follow the exact route NVIDIA's CEO took through Beijing's historic hutongs. From ¥38 zhajiangmian to viral douzhi reactions — eat like a billionaire on a backpacker budget.
Area
Nanluoguxiang ↔ Shichahai Historic Area
Duration
Half day (3-4 hours)
Total Cost
¥80-120 per person (~$11-17)
Best Time
Weekday mornings (9:00 AM - 1:00 PM) for fewer crowds
Walking Distance
~2.5 km total
Subway
Take Line 6 or 8 to Nanluoguxiang Station (Exit E)
The Route (6 Stops)
方砖厂69号炸酱面（南锣鼓巷店）
🎯 Jensen's Moment: Jensen stood at the doorway eating with a paper bowl
Jensen walked in wearing his iconic black leather jacket and was recognized immediately. The staff gifted him a free bowl of their signature black pork zhajiangmian. With no seats available, he simply stood at the doorway, holding a paper bowl, slurping noodles and chatting with tourists. He asked in Chinese: '你们来吃过吗?' (Have you eaten here before?). He gave a thumbs-up, packed another to-go, and this was actually his second visit — he had previously dined at their Chongwenmen location in July 2025.
“"So good!" / "好吃！"”
Must-Try Dishes
Insider Tips
- •Arrive before 11:30 AM or after 2:00 PM to avoid long lines
- •The Michelin-recommended zhajiangmian is their must-order
- •Try their 'Beijing-style baodu fen' (爆肚粉) too
- •They now sell a 'Jensen Huang same-style set meal' on Douyin
尹三豆汁
🎯 Jensen's Moment: Jensen's 'pain mask' moment went viral
While strolling the hutongs, a passerby offered Jensen a cup of douzhi — Beijing's most divisive traditional drink. Curious, he took a big gulp. His face instantly contorted: eyebrows furrowed, eyes wide with disbelief. He blurted out 'What is this thing?' in English. The clip exploded across Chinese social media. Despite the shock, Jensen politely finished the cup with a smile, earning respect for his good sportsmanship.
“"What is this thing?" / "这什么东西？"”
Must-Try Dishes
Insider Tips
- •Douzhi is an acquired taste — most first-timers react exactly like Jensen
- •Pair it with jiaoquan (fried rings) to balance the sourness
- •Yin San has been on Dianping's 'Must-Eat List' for 6 consecutive years
- •Go early morning for the most authentic atmosphere
稻香村
🎯 Jensen's Moment: Classic Beijing pastries since 1895
Jensen stopped at Daoxiangcun, one of Beijing's most legendary pastry brands founded in 1895. He picked up a selection of traditional Beijing snacks to sample while exploring the hutongs. These pastries are a staple gift for locals visiting friends and family.
Must-Try Dishes
Insider Tips
- •Look for the authentic 'Beijing Daoxiangcun' (三禾标志) — there are many copycats
- •Must-buys: Niu She Bing (ox-tongue pastry), Suzhou-style mooncakes
- •Great for edible souvenirs to take home
- •Ask staff to box them up as a gift set
紫光园
🎯 Jensen's Moment: Famous for yogurt and halal Beijing cuisine
Part of Jensen's food crawl included Ziguangyuan, a beloved halal Beijing restaurant chain. Their milk skin yogurt (naipi zisuannai) has become a viral sensation among young Chinese foodies. The yogurt has a thick, creamy top layer that forms naturally during fermentation — rich, silky, and slightly tangy.
“N/A — enjoyed while touring”
Must-Try Dishes
Insider Tips
- •The milk skin yogurt sells out fast — go before noon
- •Also try their signature roast lamb chops and sesame shaobing
- •Affordable and foreigner-friendly with picture menus
- •Great for a quick snack break during hutong walking
南锣鼓巷铁板鱿鱼
🎯 Jensen's Moment: Sizzling squid tentacles with secret sauce
The smell of sizzling squid drew Jensen to a street food stall along Nanluoguxiang. He watched as the vendor grilled fresh squid tentacles on a hot iron plate, brushing them with a secret savory-spicy sauce. He took a bite and gave a clear nod of approval — a tech billionaire genuinely enjoying a ¥15 street snack.
“Gave a satisfied nod after the first bite”
Must-Try Dishes
Insider Tips
- •Most stalls accept mobile payment (WeChat/Alipay)
- •Ask for 'wei la' (mild spicy) if you can't handle heat
- •Best enjoyed while walking through the hutongs
- •Look for stalls with high turnover — freshness matters
蜜雪冰城
🎯 Jensen's Moment: Jensen's ¥8 refreshment break
After all that walking and eating, Jensen ducked into a Mixue Ice Cream & Tea — China's insanely popular budget drink chain. He ordered a Peach Four Seasons Spring (蜜桃四季春) with half sugar. On his way out, he turned back and gave the staff a thumbs-up, calling it 'very classic.' From ¥38 zhajiangmian to ¥8 bubble tea, Jensen proved that great food doesn't need a hefty price tag.
“"Very classic" — thumbs up to staff”
Must-Try Dishes
Insider Tips
- •Order via the mini-program or counter — simple English usually works
- •Half sugar is the sweet spot for most foreign palates
- •Also try their ¥2 ice cream cone — a local favorite
- •Expect queues on weekends; service is fast
Instagram-Worthy Spots on the Route
Practical Tips for International Visitors
- • Most stalls accept WeChat Pay & Alipay
- • Fangzhuang 69 and Ziguangyuan accept cash
- • International credit cards rarely work at street stalls
- • Carry ¥100-200 in cash as backup
- • Picture menus available at most sit-down spots
- • 'Zhe ge' (这个) = 'This one' — point and order
- • Google Translate camera mode works offline if downloaded
- • Staff at Fangzhuang 69 are used to foreign tourists
- • Weekday mornings = shortest lines
- • Nanluoguxiang gets packed after 2 PM on weekends
- • Daoxiangcun opens at 8 AM — great for early birds
- • Street food stalls peak around 6-9 PM
- • Ziguangyuan is halal-certified
- • Most dishes contain gluten (noodles, soy sauce)
- • Vegetarian options limited at zhajiangmian shops
- • Douzhi is vegan but intensely flavored
Frequently Asked Questions
On May 15, 2026, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang ate at Fangzhuang Factory 69 Zhajiangmian (Nanluoguxiang branch), tried douzhi from Yin San, sampled pastries at Daoxiangcun, had milk skin yogurt at Ziguangyuan, ate teppanyaki squid from a Nanluoguxiang street stall, and drank Peach Four Seasons Spring at Mixue Ice Cream & Tea — all within the Nanluoguxiang and Shichahai historic hutong area.
Zhajiangmian (炸酱面) is Beijing's signature noodle dish — hand-pulled noodles topped with 'fried sauce' made from simmered pork, fermented soybean paste, and sweet bean sauce. It's garnished with fresh vegetable 'code' (cucumber, bean sprouts, radish). Fangzhuang Factory 69 is Michelin-recommended and serves one of the most authentic versions in the city.
Douzhi (豆汁) is a traditional Beijing breakfast drink made from fermented mung bean milk. It has a strong sour, earthy flavor that most first-time drinkers find shocking — Jensen Huang's famous 'pain mask' reaction is completely normal. It's an acquired taste but considered a rite of passage for food adventurers in Beijing.
The entire food tour is extremely budget-friendly. Total cost per person is approximately ¥80-120 (~$11-17), covering: zhajiangmian (¥38), douzhi (¥5-8), daoxiangcun pastries (¥15-25), milk skin yogurt (¥8-12), squid skewers (¥15-25), and bubble tea (¥8).
Yes. Nanluoguxiang is very foreigner-friendly with English signage at most shops. Fangzhuang 69 and Ziguangyuan have picture menus. Mobile payment (WeChat Pay / Alipay) is accepted everywhere, though carrying some cash is wise. The walking route is flat and manageable for all fitness levels.
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