Chinese restaurants in Běijīng
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Wangfujing Snack Street
Fronted by an ornate archway, this quadrant is lined with cheap-and-cheerful food stalls that are always busy. It’s a good place to pick up Xīnjiāng or Muslim Uighur cuisine such as lamb skewers and flat bread. Also on offer are other dishes from all over China, including málà tàng (a spicy soup from Sìchuān), zhájiàngmiàn (noodles in fried bean sauce) and noodles in peppery sauce. Also being scoffed by the bowl here are Lánzhōu lāmiàn (Lánzhōu noodles), Shāndōng jiānbǐng (Shāndōng pancake), Yúnnán guòqiáo mǐxiàn (Yúnnán cross-the-bridge noodles) and oodles of Sìchuān food. At most outlets you have to sit outside elbow-to-elbow with other din…
reviewed
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Manchurian Special Flavour JiǎVozi Restaurant
With its singing waitresses in their colourful qípáo (traditional Chinese dress) and a menu that proclaims, ‘We all love you’, this friendly, noisy restaurant specialises in the cuisine of northeastern China, a region of icy winds and biting cold. That means lots of hearty meat dishes such as stewed chicken (Y28) and shredded pork with wild vegetables (Y25). But the real deal here are the delicious jiǎozi. There’s a whole range to pick from, but the green pepper and pork, Chinese cabbage and pork, and pumpkin and egg are particularly addictive. Try a few bottles of Hapi, Harbin’s very own beer (Y12), to make it the perfect Dōngběi experience. English menu.
reviewed
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Kǒng Yǐjǐ
Shàoxīng in Zhèjiāng province is famous for being the birthplace of Lu Xun, the man who invented modern Chinese literature, and for its eponymous sherry-like wine. So it’s entirely appropriate that this restaurant, which takes its name from an alcoholic character in one of Lu’s stories, serves some dishes – such as drunken shrimp (zuìxiā) and drunken chicken – swimming in Shàoxīng wine. Rest assured that it tastes better than báijiǔ. Also popular at this wooden-floored, old-school place are the many pork and fish dishes, such as the very addictive dōngpō ròu, which are alcohol-free. If you want to try Shàoxīng wine, which is also known as huángjiǔ
reviewed
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Tiāndì Yījiā
Doing business from a restored building alongside Changpu River Park (Chāngpú Hé Gōngyuán), this refined, Chinese courtyard–style restaurant is notable for the water feature with multicoloured fish that dominates the elegant dining room. There’s also a balcony overlooking the Imperial Archives (Huángshǐ Chéng). The menu, which spans a number of provinces and styles, is strong on seafood with snob appeal – shark’s fin, abalone and lobster – as well as traditional delicacies such as bird’s-nest soup and local faves such as Peking duck. It also does dim sum. But the black-clad waitresses are not a bundle of laughs and there’s a slightly stiff feel to the whole estab…
reviewed
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Megabite
This hygienic fast-food emporium puts Cantonese, Yúnnán, Sìchuān, teppan-yaki, clay pot, Korean and porridge (zhōu) outlets all under one roof and is a reliable place for a lunchstop if you’re shopping in the area. Look out for decent dumplings (jiǎozi) and xiǎolóngbāo, the steamed buns that are Shànghǎi’s favourite street snack. There are also solid noodle sets available here, as well as Indian samosas and roti prata. Portions are generous and good value – you can eat very well for around Y20. You don’t pay in cash for your dish; instead, buy a card (Y5 deposit; cards come in denominations of Y30, Y50, Y100, Y200, Y500 and Y1000 units) at the kiosk at the …
reviewed
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Crescent Moon Muslim Restaurant
You can find a Chinese Muslim restaurant on almost every street in Běijīng. Most are run by Huí Muslims, who are Han Chinese, rather than ethnic-minority Uighurs from the remote western province of Xīnjiāng. The Crescent Moon, tucked away down a hútòng off Dongsi Beidajie, is the real deal – owned and staffed by Uighurs, it attracts many Běijīng-based Uighurs and people from central Asia. The yáng’ròu chuàn (lamb skewers; Y6) are succulent and the best in town, or try the dàpánjī (Y50), a dish of chicken, potato, peppers and vegetables served over thick, pasta-like noodles. Picture menu. Xīnjiāng black beer is Y15 a bottle.
reviewed
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Sichuan Restaurant
Rather worn in its old age, but the dishes are well worth your time here and portions are generous. Try the filling crispy tinfoil-wrapped mutton (纸包羊肉; zhǐbāo yángròu) or sweat over a yuānyāng huǒguō (鸳鸯火锅; Mandarin duck hotpot) - the celebrated Sìchuān hotpot that is divided into hot (辣; là) and not-hot (不辣; búlà) sections. The countertop array of home fermented wines infused with various flora and fauna is around Y20 a shot.
reviewed
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Qín Táng Fǔ
Shǎnxī province is great for filling, cheap eats such as the delicious yángròu pàomó (Y18), a mutton, noodle and bread soup, and Xī’ān sausage (Y22), as well as fried pork in bread ( ròujiāmó; Y7), the Shǎnxī version of the hamburger. There’s an English menu and the only drawbacks here are the seriously eccentric chairs and tables, which are so low they’re like something out of a kid’s playroom. It’s so popular that there’s another branch a few doors down the road.
reviewed
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Middle 8th
The pace of reconstruction has forced this sophisticated Yúnnán restaurant to shift locations many times. Nevertheless, it's a comfortable place with an authentic, wide-ranging menu. The deep-fried bamboo worms with spiced pepper and salt make for an interesting starter. The mains include signature Yúnnán dishes but if you're feeling less adventurous, there's always the scrambled eggs topped with jasmine buds. English menu.
reviewed
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South Silk Road
Another addition to the growing army of stylish Yúnnán restaurants in Běijīng, this hip and busy restaurant offers a birds-eye view over Qianhai Lake. The dishes are authentic Yúnnán, from the baked beef in Yúnnán tea to the pot-roasted frog. There's a range of spicy barbecued fish dishes, a reasonable wine list and the beers start at around Y25.
reviewed
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Lóng Yuán Táng
This cosy courtyard restaurant off Dongsi Beidajie specialises in Guǎngxī dishes, specifically those of the Zhuang people, China’s largest ethnic minority group. Pickled vegetables are often used; try the suānsǔn chǎo ròupiàn, pickled bamboo shoots stir-fried with pork. There’s a picture menu, but it’s worth checking out what the other diners are eating before you order.
reviewed
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Xiao Wang's Home Restaurant
Treat yourself to home-style Běijīng cuisine and go for one of Xiao Wang’s specials. The deep-fried spare ribs with pepper salt ( piāoxiāng páigǔ; Y68) are excellent, as are Xiao Wang’s fried hot and spicy Xīnjiāng-style chicken wings ( zīrán jīchì; Y45). The crispy and lean Peking duck (Y128 per duck) is also a good option here. English menu.
reviewed
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Hua Jia Yi Yuan
Gui Jie, or ‘ghost street’, is one of Beijing’s busiest restaurant strips, with all manner of hotpot and seafood eateries that stay open till the early hours. This landmark courtyard place, though, doesn’t restrict itself to one type of cuisine. Instead, you can find everything from Cantonese to Peking duck here. English menu.
reviewed
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No Name Restaurant
Curious about Yunnan cuisine? This stylish but relaxed restaurant is a great place to start. There's not only a picture of each dish on the English menu, but also an entry explaining the flavours and spices used - we recommend the dai fish and Yunnan rice noodles. The bubbling fountain and helpful waitstaff add to the enjoyable atmosphere.
reviewed
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Xinjiang Red Rose Restaurant
Eating here is like hanging out at a raucous party. Communal seating is at long canteen-style tables, and when the Uighur music and dancers get going (from 7.30pm to 9pm) it’s very loud. The menu is mutton dominated. It’s down an alley opposite the north gate of the Workers’ Stadium, next to Bodhi.
reviewed
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Turpan Restaurant
This cavernous place is the local population’s most popular Muslim eatery on Nui Jie. The helpful staff will guide you through the extensive picture menu of dishes from the mainly Muslim, far-western province of Xinjiang. The lamb kebabs ( 羊肉串 ) are a must try.
reviewed
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Isshin
A favourite with locals and expats, Isshin serves affordable sushi and sashimi in cool, dark surroundings, as well as top-notch hotpots and teriyaki dishes. The set lunch is a decent deal. The entrance is just off Shuangqing Lu ( 双清路 ) north of Chengfu Lu. Turn left through the big arch.
reviewed
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Fengzeyuan
This Běijīng institution attracts crowds of locals who toast each other with rounds of snake wine and devour Fengzeyuan's Shāndōng specialities (鲁菜; lǔcài), such as sea cucumber with scallion or sautéed fish slices.
reviewed
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Ding Ding Xiang
Hotpot is a Beijing standby during the long, cold winters and one of the most sociable and fun ways to eat. You sit around a boiling pot of water, add the ingredients of your choice and cook them to your taste. Make sure to try the special, secret dipping sauce. Picture menu.
reviewed
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China Lounge
Chinese cuisine from all over the country gets served up at this elegant restaurant next to the Blue Zoo inside the Workers Stadium. The thoughtful design means you're not elbow-to-elbow with other diners, even if that makes the place seem a little cold when it's not busy.
reviewed
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Hàn Cāng
You can eat lakeside in the summer at this deservedly popular Houhai hang-out. Hakka cuisine uses a lot of fresh fish: try the fried fish in pine nuts, or the prawns in a bucket of salt, but there’s a huge range of options here. English menu.
reviewed
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Xiao Wang’s Family Restaurant
A long-time favourite with Beijingers, Xiao Wang’s extensive menu will satisfy most tastes. The deep-fried spare ribs and hot-and-spicy Xinjiang chicken wings are classics. They do a lean and tasty Peking duck here too. English menu.
reviewed
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Tai Shu Xi
Dishes are beautifully presented at this fantastic (and very boisterous) neighbourhood eatery. They also do a terrific Peking duck with unusual condiments like melon and pumpkin-flavoured pancakes. English menu available.
reviewed
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Dali Courtyard
Idyllic on a summer evening, when you eat at tables set around the courtyard of a restored hutong house, this place has no menu. Instead, you pay Y100 a head and the chef decides which five or six dishes to give you.
reviewed
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Xian Bai Wei
This family-run Shaanxi joint has a picture-menu you can choose your snacks from. Try the rojiamo (a kind of Shaanxi sandwich, around Y3.5) with shredded pork between a ricepaper-like bun.
reviewed
