Jinan's classic breakfast is dofu nao — soft silken tofu served in a shallow bowl of hot savory broth with a spoonful of pork and mushroom sauce ladled over it. The version sold on Furong Street and in the surrounding spring district lanes is cooked and served from traditional charcoal-heated wooden barrels, and the simplicity of the preparation focuses all attention on the quality of the tofu, which is excellent. A bowl costs around ¥5.
The broader Furong Street morning market also offers jianbing guozi, steamed buns (baozi) with various fillings, fried dough sticks (youtiao), and millet congee. Coming here at 7–9am on a weekday, when the market is operating at full volume for local residents rather than tourists, is one of the best things you can do in Jinan. Bring small change and no particular agenda.