The range of dishes available in Heilongjiang is fairly exotic. Animals such as deer, bear and tiger were once an integral part of the diet here. Fortunately Beijing have made their disapproval of this kind of thing clear in recent years, and Bear Paw and Siberian Tiger Testicles are no longer as popular as they once were. Typical Dongbei foods today include dumpling, bread and sausage. Standards and facilities are pretty limited around Wudalianchi and Jingbo lake, and most travelers end up dining with a local family or taking their own supplies.

The colonial influence in Heilongjiang is especially evident in the cuisine available in Harbin, and eating here is different from eating elsewhere in the province. Sausage, stroganoff, caviar and huge amounts of potato are popular here and the Harbinese are also said to be the heaviest drinkers in the country!