Fodor's Expert Review Hubu Alley

There's no more authentic Chinese experience than fighting your way through crowds to tuck into delicious and inexpensive street food. Scores of stalls and pint-size restaurants line this street and even in winter the place is super popular with domestic tourists, young couples walking hand-in-hand, and a mixed group of locals. On offer are spicy noodles (available in broth or dry), barbecued oysters and crayfish, steamed buns filled with meat and vegetables (baozi), beef and lamb kebabs, and soup dumplings (xiaolongbao), their skins dyed purple, green, and orange from vegetable juices. It's chaotic here and you will smell the dumpsters as you walk past, but it's a fun, truly local experience with good eats to boot–and for a pittance.

Bring tissues or wet wipes.