Xiamen cuisine, the most representative 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.

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.