Compared with cities in places south of Dongbei, Harbin has fewer local products to brag about, most probably due to the harsh weather here that makes most goods pretty hard to grow.
Seafood is a popular local specialty and rare fish abound around these parts including dog salmon and sturgeon, which over the years have accustomed to the freezing winter and seem to be thriving! Monkey-Head Mushroom is little known in the west, but has long been deemed a delicacy for its curative effects. Sausage is popular with ordinary households, an influence perhaps of the Russian history here.
Clothes made from Marten are common here, available at lower prices than in the west. A wide range of herbal medicines are made here. Pilose antler is the Chinese version of Viagra!! Tiger bone is said to relieve pain suffered with rheumatism. As with all medicines, watch out for fakes! It is pretty unlikely they will actually harm, but you may be getting ripped off!
1) Dog Salmon
The harsh climate in Harbin helps toughen up the physique of every species of living animal. Dog salmon (Damaha yu) is no exception. To withstand the freezing cold in winter, which can drop to temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees C, the salmon in Harbin grows a layer of fat, making it extra tasty for use in fish dishes such as fish slices, fish ball soup and salted fish.When you visit Harbin, don't forget to sample this "survivor of the fittest"!
2) Harbin Sausage
Throughout history, Russia, just several hundred miles away from Harbin, has exerted a significant impact on the city, also ma