If you visit Qingdao during summertime, be sure to have some beef and local seafood. The quintessential dish to order is the chili sautéed clams, “la de gala” in the local dialect. 

The food makes for a mouth-watering accompaniment to any dish. At first bite it’s not too spicy, but after just a moment the spiciness gradually increases. The texture and flavor goes great with a bottle (or bag) of fresh beer.

The quintessential dish to order is the chili sautéed clams during summertime in Qingdao, Shandong province. [Photo/Qingdao Shinan district tourism bureau]