8 dining experiences that are perfect for winter

Nip winter blues in the bud and warm up from the inside

It's cold out, but that's no reason to stay wrapped up in bed all day eating two-minute noodles. With the help of some warming comfort food and a stiff drink or three, here's how to make the most of the icy winter.

Get hot pot delivered to your door

Hot pot chain restaurant Haidilao is renowned for its excellent service – a mantra that extends to its home delivery service, too. Haidilao’s crack team have got all angles covered, and from 258RMB (minimum order; plus service and delivery fees) arrive fully armed with everything from protective covers for your hot pot surface, eating and cooking utensils and post-hot pot air fresheners to rid that Gui Jie scent from your home, to the necessities like fresh meat, veg and noodles. Then, they’ll clean up for when you’re done at no extra cost. Pay 200RMB extra and you can have a member of wait staff stay and cook everything for you. Check hi.haidilao.com for full price information or to book delivery. Hot pot not your jam? Book yourself a private chef instead through the Hao Chushi app (好厨师; Chinese only).

Snack on street treats

One of the very best things about living in Beijing? You’re never too far from tasty and mightily cheap street snacks wherever you are in town. As the temperature drops, street vendors will be out in full force selling bags of sugarcoated roasted chestnuts (tangchao lizi) and roasted sweet potatoes (kao hongshu). Wrap your freezing fingers around one of the steaming hot bags and wait for the warm fuzzy feeling to kick in.

Carbo-load on Dongbei food

Hailing from China’s frosty northeastern provinces – and characterised by oil-rich broths, succulent meats, pickled vegetables, dense wheat noodles, potatoes and steamed breads – Dongbei cuisine is the ultimate comfort food. Chain restaurant Culiang Renjia (粗粮人家) is an ever-reliable option for worthy renditions of the classics at reasonable prices. Dongbei-style sweet and sour pork guobaorou (国宝肉) features juicy slices of twice-fried pork smothered in gelatinous sauce and peppered with ginger and garlic; the humble, no-frills ‘Farmer’s Harvest’ (nongjia da fengshou, 农家大丰收) arrives on a large platter with a generous portion of stewed, tender seasonal vegetables and roughly cut chunks of pork. It certainly ain’t fancy, but it does the trick every time.

Curl up by a roaring fire

Sure it might be a cliché, but curling up by a fire with a stiff drink has to be one of life’s greatest pleasures when it’s cold out. The masters of luxury at Rosewood Beijing have got it just right at Mei Bar. Not only has it got the roaring fireplaces, it has the deluxe leather sofas, furry blankets, outdoor heaters and signature cold-weather cocktails to match.

Slurp a steaming bowl of yangrou paomo

Served scolding hot, this Xi’an favourite will warm you up from the inside out in a matter of seconds. Literally ‘lambsoaked bread soup’, yangrou paomo makes use of leftover steamed bread, or mantou, which is cut into cubes before being soaked in piping hot lamb broth alongside glass noodles and wood ear mushrooms. At any reputable Shaanxi joints, the soup is served with a side of fresh coriander, cloves of pickled garlic and a mound of sweet chilli paste to taste – and garnish. For a generous serving that stays hot for the duration, try Shan Mian Wang (29RMB).

Pig out on comfort food

Beijing has a wealth of restaurants serving truly delicious guilty-pleasure food that will you have you packing on a few extra insulating pounds in no time. Sutaak’s Chicken and Beer World reigns supreme when it comes to deliciously crispy Korean fried chicken; Great Leap #12 serves up some of the best burgers in the city, including the gut-busting double-decker cheese burger; and Neapolitan pizza restaurant Bottega's Calzone al Salame is pure doughy perfection stuffed with stringy mozzarella, homemade ricotta and spicy salami. We know it's not right, but boy does it feel good. And they're all available for delivery.

Test out all of Beijing's takeaway services

When the thought of leaving the sofa seems like a step too far, let someone else bring the food to you. Whatever the weather, there's a wide variety of trusty delivery services won't let you down. Check out our favourite delivery sites where you can get everything from curry to noodles, booze, groceries and more.

Drink baijiu

There aren't many drinks more polarising than baijiu. Sometimes compared to paint thinner or rocket fuel, this Chinese spirit is the most widely consumed alcoholic beverage in the world. Whether you like it or not, it's guaranteed to warm you up. Check your preconceptions at the door and make yours a tasting flight at Capital Spirits and The Distillery (from 30RMB), this specialist baijiu bar might just change the way you think about the contentious spirit. Alternatively, try sake or sochu instead.

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