Michelin 2023: Who’s New & Who’s Worth Trying

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If the 2023 Michelin Guide for Beijing is anything to go by, the capital isn’t short of fantastic fine dining options, with the list having expanded with some new additions this year. Here’s the lowdown from the tippy top three star recipients all the way down, plus a few other gems that are worth trying.

Note: we've denoted each restaurant's Michelin star standing with asterisks (*) or titles (ie Bib Gourmand or Michelin-Selected)

King’s Joy (***)

This temple of vegetarian cuisine is known for its emphasis on sustainability and health. Helmed by Chef Xu Jingren, King’s Joy presents dishes that are not only good for the body and soul but also for anyone who loves food, not just vegetarians. The fact that the restaurant sources its ingredients from small, local farmers means the menu changes with the seasons. One thing that doesn’t change with the seasons is the beautiful presentation, which accentuates the delicate and balanced flavors. Standout dishes to try right now include their red date pancakes, the vegetarian “Peking duck”, and the bamboo mushrooms with spicy oil.

King's Joy Vegetarian Restaurant

2 Wudaoying Hutong, Dongcheng District
东城区五道营胡同2号

Xin Rong Ji 

(Xinyuan South Road) (***)

Xin Rong Ji is a Sichuanese restaurant known for its bold, spicy flavors and the use of premium ingredients. Their signature dish is the boiled fish, which is cooked to perfection in a spicy broth that is both numbing and addictive. Other must-try dishes include the fried chicken with chili peppers, the braised pork belly, and the spicy cold noodles. While the restaurant’s other branches carry two stars, the Xinyuan branch’s three stars are a testament to the exceptional quality of the restaurant's cuisine and the skill of its chefs, making this venue must-try for any foodie looking for an unforgettable dining experience in Beijing.

Xin Rong Ji (Xinyuan South Road)

3 Xinyuan South Road, Chaoyang District
朝阳区新源南路3号

Here are a few more recommendations to try, including some newcomers featured in the 2023 Michelin Guide.

TRB Hutong (*)

Many Beijing foodies have been clamoring for TRB Hutong to receive a Michelin star for years, and the restaurant finally received the recognition it deserves in the 2023 guide. TRB Hutong is a French restaurant located in a restored courtyard house in Beijing's historic Hutong area. The restaurant's approach to French cuisine blends traditional techniques with Chinese ingredients, resulting in a unique fusion cuisine that has earned the restaurant a loyal following. TRB Hutong's tasting menu allows diners to sample a range of dishes and flavors, including standout dishes such as the seared foie gras with Chinese five spice and the wagyu beef with truffle sauce.

TRB Hutong

23 Shatan North Street, Dongcheng District
东城区沙滩北街23号

Forum (*)

Forum is a modern Cantonese restaurant located in the Wangfujing area. Stylishly designed with an open kitchen and bar, Forum whips up traditional Cantonese dishes characterized by bold, aromatic flavors and contemporary twists. Standout dishes to try include sautéed lobster with crab meat, pigeon egg that boasts velvety texture and briny-sweetness, and fried rice packs rich wok hei with braised abalones.

Forum

2/F, Empark Prime Hotel, 2 Wangfujing Street, Dongcheng District
东城区王府井大街2号 北京华侨大厦睿世酒店二层

Lu Shang Lu (*)

Lu Shang Lu specializes in Shandong cuisine, particularly live seafood and sea cucumber sourced from Jiaodong peninsula each day. The chef, a native of Yantai, has extensive knowledge of the culinary traditions of his home province. His signature dish, roast 45-day-old duck, is served with caviar, prawn crackers, and Shandong pancakes that merge the distinct flavors of both Beijingese and Shandong cooking styles. For those who seek a more intimate dining experience, reserving a private room may be worthwhile.

Lu Shang Lu

2A01-2A03 / 2A05-2A13, 2F, Sunshine Financial Center, No.1 Tower, 33 Jinghui Street
京汇街33号1号楼阳光保险金融中心2层2A01-2A03 / 2A05-2A13

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Mansion Cuisine by Jingyan (*)

Mansion Cuisine by Jingyan is located in a beautifully restored mansion in the Chaoyang district. The restaurant serves a fusion of Chinese and Western cuisine with an emphasis on premium ingredients as well as a striking array of menu options. Standout dishes to try include the crispy skin chicken with foie gras, the lobster with saffron risotto, and the pan-seared wagyu beef with truffle.

Mansion Cuisine by Jingyan

22 Jianchang Hutong
箭厂胡同22号

Lao Chuan Ban (Bib Gourmand)

Lao Chuan Ban is a Sichuanese restaurant located in the Dongcheng district. The restaurant is known for its traditional Sichuan dishes that are flavorful, spicy, and bold. The menu features classic Sichuanese dishes, such as mouth-watering chicken, Fuqi beef offal, and Sichuan boiled fish. The flavors here are not for the faint of heart, as the spice level is intense and numbing, but it's a must-try for anyone who loves Sichuan cuisine.

Lao Chuan Ban

5 Gongyuan 1st Alley, Dongzongbu Hutong, Dongcheng District
东城区东总布胡同贡院头条5号

Yibin (Bib Gourmand)

Yibin is a Sichuanese restaurant located in the Dongcheng district. The restaurant specializes in Yibin-style hotpot, which is known for its clear, nourishing broth and high-quality ingredients. The hotpot is served in a communal pot, and diners can choose from a variety of meats, vegetables, and seafood to cook in the broth. The flavors are delicate and well-balanced, and the experience is both comforting and satisfying.

Yibin

28 Xizhong Hutong, Xi Cheng District, Beijing
西城区西中街西侧西中胡同28号

In addition, here are some restaurants that may not be new, but still deserve a recommendation.

Opera BOMBANA (*)

Opera BOMBANA is a fine-dining Italian restaurant headed by renowned chef Umberto Bombana, who is known for his culinary mastery of his home cuisine and devotion to quality ingredients. Here you’ll find handmade pastas, grilled meats, and seafood paired with an indulgent wine list featuring exceptional Piemonte and Tuscan reds. The elegant and sophisticated atmosphere, along with the impeccable service, makes Opera BOMBANA a top destination for foodies and fine-dining enthusiasts.

Opera BOMBANA

Shop 21, LG2 Level, Parkview Green Fangcaodi, 9 Dongdaqiao Road, Chaoyang District
朝阳区东大桥路9号芳草地购物中心

The Georg   (*)

The Georg is a dynamic space in the center of Beijing that merges art, design, and food. With a contemporary twist on the traditional Beijing courtyard, the venue boasts a siheyuan layout with modern industrial accents. Visitors can explore the art event area, and indulge in the "casual fine-dining" restaurant. The flagship restaurant, situated in a refurbished riverside quadrangle house, is acclaimed for its Nordic-inspired cuisine that incorporates techniques like smoking and curing to enhance the flavors and contrasts of the dishes. The Georg is currently closed until Summer 2023, so be sure to check it out once it reopens!

The Georg

1 Jade River, 45 Dongbuyaqiao Hutong, Dianmen East Street
地安门东大街东不压桥胡同45号玉河一号院

Refer (Michelin-Selected)

Refer, led by Canadian expat Talib Hudda and his wife, a Beijing native, is currently ranked 67th in the world on The World's 50 Best Restaurants. Refer offers a minimalist yet exceptional culinary experience. Guests are welcomed into a space bathed in natural light with art deco white walls. The 18-course meal showcases locally and sustainably sourced ingredients prepared in an open kitchen that resembles a personal home. Chef Talib's 10-plus course tasting menu combines European, American, and Asian influences with cultural meaning and complex structures. High-quality seasonal ingredients are used, and guests can choose to pair their meal with a wine flight or juices. Reservations and a deposit payment are mandatory for this must-visit restaurant for food enthusiasts.

Refer

5F, Building N8, Taikoo Li Sanlitun North, 11 Sanlitun Road, Chaoyang District
三里屯路11号太古里三里屯北区N8号楼5层

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Images: courtesy of the venues

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