Chinese Cuisine Galore! 15 Restaurants To Try in Beijing
Food is a big part of relationships and dating, and in China the variety of cuisines is endless. With spicy Sichuan and Hunan dishes, fresh and flavorful Yunnan cuisine, light Cantonese dimsum, or classic Peking Duck, there is a plethora of options to fit any palette and also practice your chopstick skills.
The DNC team has gathered some delicious Chinese cuisines and regional dishes that are a must-try in China. Grab a date or a group of friends and try different styles of Chinese foods at these Beijing restaurants.
Join Date Night China for a Summer Rooftop Party in Guomao this Saturday, July 31st! Ticket includes free flow beer, wine, and mixed drinks.
Peking Duck
1. Peking Chamber: 四季民福烤鸭 sìjìmífú kǎoyā
Numerous Locations
Seasons Peking duck is the best in Beijing. You may have a 2 hour wait, but it’s well worth it for this gem of a restaurant. It’s got the best tasting duck in Beijing. Don’t forgot the shrimp gong pao (ji) ding, it’s to die for when paired with the duck tacos.
2. Dadong Peking Duck: 大董烤鸭店 dàdǒng kǎoyādiàn
Numerous Locations
A classic in China and around the world. They even opened a shop in New York city for a time! If you’re looking for a bit more modern look with a great drink list, Dadong is the Peking duck spot for you!
Yunnan Cuisine
3. In & Out Yunnan Restaurant: 一座一忘 yīzuò yīwàng
2 locations, Sanlitun and SKP
Everything in this restaurant is prepared with fresh ingredients and delicious seasoning - you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. The fish and the shrimp with asparagus have such unique flavors they are a must try. Their SKP branch is a haven of greenery!
4. Dali Family Restaurant: 大理人家 Dàlǐ rénjiā
Lovely rooftop, great food and atmosphere, what more can you ask for from a Yunnan place!? Right in the middle of Baochao hutong, this little family owned place is sure to provide your date with a sense of that home cooked meal.
Hot Pot
5. Weizhen Coco Coconut Chicken Hotpot: 唯真Coco 椰子鸡火锅 Wéizhēn yēzi jī huǒguō
Olympic Park area
This unique hotpot, originating from Hainan island, is all about coconuts! They use FRESH coconuts to fill the pot and cook the chicken for some deliciously juicy meat. This meal is focused all about health, so the wait staff even helps you drain out access oils from the hot pot. Dip the chicken in some special soy sauce, and you'll be full in no time! Every meal comes with some jellied coconuts as well, a deliciously sweet desert!
6. Haidilao Hotpot: 海底捞 Hǎidǐlāo
Various locations all over China
We should all know and love Haidilao - the best service (and watermelon) in town. If you just want a good solid meal with 4 different hot pot flavors, come splurge on some Haidilao. Don’t forget to order the dancing noodles!
7. Yudefu Old Beijing Mongolian Hot Pot: 裕德孚老北京涮羊肉 yùdéfú lǎo Běijīng shuànyángrò
If you like lamb, they’ve got specialty lamb with weird names (黄瓜条和磨裆 - cucumber slices?) that is to die for. Using old style Mongolian hot pot, your senses will be enriched with the delicious flavors of the meat and spices. Be warned though, there's only 6 seats in the whole place! So get there early!
8. Niuchaunmen Hotpot Chuanr
牛串门串串香(东直门簋街总店) niúchuànmén chuànchuànxiāng
Dongzhimen Ghost Street
What’s great about these kind of places is that they are better for smaller groups and more diverse eats because you can one by one pick what you put in the hot pot. Downsides are that there is generally less meat on the sticks, but you can often find some larger boxes that your table can share! There are tons of chuanr places around Ghost Street and all over in Beijing.
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Xinjiang Cuisine
9. Bayi Laoye: 巴依老爷新疆美食 bāyī lǎoye Xīnjiāngishí měishí
Sanlitun and various locations all over
Very cozy, great tea that’s included, and AMAZING lamb. Their dapanji is also pretty on point. Great atmosphere and value for what you get!
Kaoyu 烤鱼 (Grilled Fish)
10. Nanluo Fat Cat Kaoyu: 南锣肥猫 nánluó féimāo
Various locations
Delicious and fast, and it comes with endless watermelon and snacks! Find them in your favorite malls all over China. If you like spicy and sour, try the suanla flavor, its fantastic!
Sichuan Cuisine
11. Rongting Shibei: 荣廷食贝 Róngtíng Shíbèi
Olympic Villiage + Shuangjing
The dining is lovely and the food will leave your stomach happy! That Sichuan peppercorn flavor is used so perfectly that your mouth will be numb with pleasure. Get one of their fish soups and the chicken noodles (鸡丝凉面)!
12. Yuxin Sichuan Cuisine 渝信川菜 Yúxìn chuāncài
Sanlitun, Forbidden City, Shuangjing
If you want gourmet Sichuan dishes and delicious plum juice, then look no further than Yuxin. With a great atmosphere and stellar service, you’ll be sure to impress your date with more than just your spicy eating skills.
Hunan Cuisine
13. Xiaoxiang ge: 潇湘阁 Xiāoxiāng gé
Wangjing, Sanlitun, Guomao, Wudaokou locations
My my, if you like spicy stir fry dishes, Hunan food is for you! They love frying up delicious vegetables and meat together with green and red peppers for a special flavor to fill your belly up.
14. Miao Region Ethnic Tu Restaurant: 湘西土菜 Xiāngxī tu caì
Sanyuan Qiao, Olympic Park, Fengtai
If you still want Hunan but with less spice, check out this restaurant. With beautiful decor and atmosphere, the staff is sure to serve you delicious flavors. If you are feeling adventurous, the pig’s feet will satisfy all cravings!
Dim Sum
15. Furongji: 福荣记 fúróngjì
Baochao Hutong
Located in the Baochao Hutong and part of the Orchid Hotel, this dim sum place is delight. You'll find all the classic dim sum options and a few house specials as well!
Join DNC for a Summer Rooftop Party in Guomao this Saturday July 31st! Ticket includes free flow beer, wine, and mixed drinks.
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