Xiamen cuisine, the most representative one of Fujian cuisine, is characterized by its similarity to Canton food; sweet, light and very popular with western taste buds! The food is certainly one of the best things about Xiamen- particularly the seafood which is exceptionally fresh. Dishes here use copious amounts of oysters, crabs, prawn and peanuts. Xiamen peanut soup is served up with everything. The Sweet Peanut Shop (Huangzehe Huashengtang Dian) on Zhongshan Lu is the best place to sample Xiamen’s favourite nutty goodies.

Local specialties here include fish ball soup, shrimp noodles and oyster soup. There are some great seafood restaurants around town. On Gulangyu Island there are a wealth of places to choose from, particularly around the Lujiang Hotel. The hotel itself also serves good Chinese food including an impressive medicinal banquet- the properties of the food are apparently good for the soul and body!

Those tired with seafood should seek out the Marco Polo Hotel on Jianye Road and tuck into their authentic Peking Duck. There are also a couple of good vegetarian restaurants in Xiamen; one in the Nanputo Temple and the other, the Hao Qing Xiang Restaurant on Hubin Zhong Lu. The Holiday Inn also do a good western style buffet for those craving something non-Chinese and Pizza Hut has magnificent views over to Gulangyu Island (aside from the usual pizzas!).

Muslim food is also popular here. Tasty lamb dishes, kebabs and Xinjiang bread are all available from the street vendors and in the little Muslim cafes dotted about town. .