In 1991, Hong Kong born Johnny Chin brought to Montreal a mysterious confectionery called Dragon’s Beard Candy, a dessert that used to serve the Emperors of China.
Reviews describe Dragon Beard Candy in Montreal as a must visit in Chinatown, with high expectations met by a delicious, uniquely textured candy that blends hand pulled sugar with nutty fillings and is less sticky when not eaten immediately; the experience is enhanced by watching the candy being crafted in front of customers, a friendly shop vibe, and the option to grab accompanying treats like egg waffles, while practical notes mention the candy can keep for a month in the fridge and that the store location is easy to reach on the main pedestrian street.
How important is Dragon's Beard Candy on your Montreal itinerary? If your flight lands in YUL at 1:45pm, is there enough time to buy OPUS cards, ride 747 to downtown, drag luggages from bus stop to Chinatown, & run into this tiny store before it closes at 4:30pm?
This was no idle musing, but real calculations my daughter & I contended before we flew thousands of miles from SFO. This was the high expectations we had for Dragon's Beard Candy of Montreal. & Dragon's Beard Candy did not disappoint!
For several years, we were able to get dragon's beard candy from a San Francisco shop. But that store has closed for quite some time presumably because this product is labour intensive to make. We are super psyched that we can visit this shop in Montreal! This Montreal candy is also better suited to our taste in that it has a better mix of handpulled candy fibres with nutty ingredients so it is less sticky when you do not eat it right away. The shop owner told us that her candy can stay well for a month in a fridge.
If you come to Montreal, do as we do: go to Dragon's Beard Candy on the first opportunity! During our one week stay, we returned to the shop three more times. It is that good.
Mar 30, 2026
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Nostalgic & delicious! I pass by here every time; no negotiation lol. Its a sweet treat with peanuts inside so please be aware if you have nuts/peanut allergy. I ate them too fast to take a picture but I really recommend you trying it!
Dec 22, 2025
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A true Montreal classic - Dragon's Beard Candy in Chinatown
This spot has been around forever, & I've been visiting since I was a child. It's such an important part of Montreal's history & truly a hidden gem. Watching the dragon's beard candy being made fresh right in front of you never gets old - it's such a unique & nostalgic experience.
Their classic dragon's beard candy is always delicious, & I highly recommend grabbing one of their egg pancakes while you're there. It's a small stop that's packed with tradition, sweetness, & memories - well worth a visit if you're in Chinatown! 🐉🍬
Trecked across Montreal to buy this dragon beard candy . Bought 8 boxes to bring home. Incredibly delicious. The husband & wife duo are incredibly nice
Walking through the heart of Montreal's Chinatown, I discovered a charming shop called Dragon's Beard Candy. My partner, who is from Hong Kong, first introduced me to this candy years ago, & she explained that it's rare because it's so labor-intensive to make. Seeing the chef pull & stretch the sugar into delicate, hair-like strands right in front of us was a real treat.
For those unfamiliar, Dragon's Beard Candy starts with cooled sugar that's repeatedly stretched in cornstarch until it forms fine, thread-like fibers-resembling a dragon's beard. Once the strands are ready, a mixture of nuts & coconut is wrapped inside to create little cubes. I got a pack of six, which costs $6 CAD, & they were absolutely delicious.
The chef was friendly, speaking fluent French, English, & Cantonese, & he shared his story & how he learned this craft. He even took time to explain the process, which made the experience extra special.
If you're in Montreal's Chinatown & haven't tried this candy, I highly recommend stopping by. The shop is right on the main pedestrian street, & they also accept credit cards, making it an easy & unforgettable treat.
