This paper examines the cultural connotations, existing problems, and innovative design paths of food packaging design for time-honored brands in Beijing, and explores how traditional brands can continue and innovate within the modern context. The findings reveal that the packaging of Beijing's time-honored food brands uses traditional symbols and regional iconic elements as carriers, using brand stories to convey cultural memory. However, issues such as serious homogenization, lack of personalization, a monotonous consumer experience, and limited social attributes hinder their ability to meet the multi-dimensional needs of younger consumers, including emotional resonance, interactive engagement, and practical functionality. To address these issues, the study proposes a three-tiered design strategy based on emotional design theory: the instinct level—design strategies that respond to needs for attraction and interest; the behavior level—strategies that address needs for interaction and efficiency; and the reflection level—strategies aimed at fulfilling cultural and emotional needs. These strategies aim to enhance the entertainment, interactivity, and social sharing functions of Beijing's time-honored food packaging, reinforce its emotional value, and improve brand recognition and market competitiveness. The study concludes that the packaging design of time-honored food brands should strike a balance between their traditional cultural heritage and modern aesthetic demands. Through design empowerment, it is possible to achieve a two-way transformation between cultural value and commercial value, thereby providing both theoretical and practical references for the sustainable innovation of traditional Chinese food culture represented by time-honored brands..