Datong is far enough north for mutton hotpot to figure heavily in the local cuisine, along with potatoes, which you can buy, processed into a starchy jelly and seasoned with sauces, from street stalls. Other typically northern dishes available are zongyi (glutinous rice dumplings) and yuanxiao (sweet dumplings). Rather bland snacks made from oatmeal are on sale at street stalls around the town. There are also plenty of cheap eateries north of the railway station serving bowls of noodles and steaming meat dumplings.

You won't find any gourmet food in Datong, but you can sample local fare at the Huayan Restaurant, one block east of the temple on Da Xi Jie. The Yonghe Restaurant, 2km south of the Drum Tower on Nanguan Nan Jie, is vibrant and plush; expect to pay around ¥30 for two dishes with rice, tea and beer. On the west side of the train station concourse, the Hongqi Restaurant is well worth a visit, though try to get a table away from the private rooms, whose residents may break into karaoke in the evening. A meal for two should be about ¥50. Wherever you eat, make sure you get there early - restaurants begin closing around 9pm.