As with many of the other places in Shanxi Province, Datong is a town whose dining is little influenced by the rice based diets that can be found further south. The locals tend to favour products made from wheat and other cold-resistant cereal strains, making noodles a common favourite on most tables. If noodles are not really your thing, then there are a variety of other, lesser known specialties that makes dining here interesting, if not special.

Millet Cakes are famous here, good for their fragrant taste, especially when eaten with the gravy like substance that often accompanies this dish. Perhaps more healthy are the Naked Oats Noodles, a coarse grain specialty that is rich in fibre and goodness, despite its somewhat simple flavour. Hotpot (Huoguo) is another northern specialty that features prominently on the Datong menu list, sometimes a little spicy! Otherwise try, if you dare, the dumplings and other general snacks that you will find on the stalls across the town.