Muslim area offers Spring Festival delights

Steamed buns

Ma Zhihong, who sells steamed stuffed buns at Hongji, a food store in Ox Street, said: "These lines of food shoppers are here every day. People from around the city come to buy beef, mutton and snacks, and many of the food stores have featured in television programs, which has attracted more people, such as young tourists."

Born in Ox Street, Ma, 54, has worked for Hongji for more than 10 years. The store sells three kinds of steamed stuffed buns－beef, mutton and vegetable. It is estimated to sell 2,000 buns every day, and more during weekends and holidays.

Ma said that early last year, when the coronavirus outbreak emerged, the lines of customers outside food stores disappeared as people stayed home.

"Thanks to the country's efforts to bring the pandemic under control, things are back to normal now, although everyone wears a face mask," she said.

Hongji, also known as Hongji Snack, is one of Ox Street's best-known food stores, winning many admirers for its homemade offerings such as glutinous rice cake, fried beef and mutton. It also serves breakfast, including deep-fried dough sticks and douzhi, a traditional Beijing fermented drink made from ground beans.

The manager of Hongji Snack, Hong Yuchun, said the brand dates to 1991, when it only sold three types of snacks. Now, it sells more than 50.

"We have many old customers living in the neighborhood who enjoy traditional food. New customers who buy food here are attracted by Ox Street's reputation," Hong said.

Her parents started selling homemade food, but their first store in the street was extremely small, with only one window for customers to place orders.

Hong said that although many young people order food digitally, she operates without any advertising or online business.

"Customers will return to us as long as flavor and quality are guaranteed and prices are reasonable," she said.

Hong added that nearly every food store and restaurant in the Ox Street area started as family businesses, which have been passed on from one generation to the next.

The area's time-honored food brands include Yueshengzhai, founded by Ma Qingrui in 1775, which is known for its mutton products, and Nai Lao Wei (Cheese Wei), founded by Wei Hongchen during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).