Don't leave Beijing without trying these amazing restaurants

Hot Pot

Do It Yourself
”What kind of restaurant makes you cook your own food?” Bill Murray asked in Lost in Translation. Only the kind that always has a waiting list of devotees. At Haidilao, customers dip raw vegetables, meats and seafood in boiling broth and add sesame and spice sauce before chowing down. We love the hand-pulled noodles (拉面) and other goodies like enoki and shitake mushrooms (金针菇and 香菇, respectively). Expect a wait, but it’s hard to complain when plied with tea, snacks and free manicures (no kidding!).

Haidilao 海底捞 A2 Naijiazhuang Lu, Sanlitun, West of Beijing No. 80 Middle School 白家庄路甲二号，80中学西侧 6595-0079

Sichuan

Some Like It Hot
Sichuan cuisine is known for its copious use of chili peppers, and for spicy food lovers it’s definitely a must-try. Chuan Ban, nearly universally acknowledged by locals and food experts alike, whips up the city’s tastiest examples of the fiery hot dishes. Small wonder, as it’s located in the same building as Sichuan province’s Beijing representative office. You’ll be pleased to find Kungpao Chicken, (宫爆鸡丁), on the menu, as well as the popular Mapo Tofu (麻婆豆腐).

Chuan Ban 川办餐厅 5 Gongyuan Toutiao, Jianguomennei Dajie 建国门内贡院头条5号 6512-2277 ext. 6101

Yunnan

Dining in the Clouds
Drawing upon the culinary traditions of various ethnic minorities in southwestern China, Yunnan (literally: land south of the clouds) food is difficult to pin down, although mushrooms, flowers, and vegetables all make frequent appearances. At contemporary Yunnan restaurant Middle 8th, try the Bass with Lemon Chicken Soup（柠檬过桥鲈鱼) or Fried Morels with Wild Herbs (菜胆羊肚菌), although more daring diners can sample the Bamboo Worm and Yunnan Pea Shoots (竹虫). Elegance and style define the place, but Middle 8th certainly won’t break the bank.

Middle 8th 中8楼 Sanlitun Zhong Jie 三里屯中街 6402-7087

Vegetarian

Boost your Karma
Vegetarian Chinese cuisine doesn’t just mean salad and fruit. Instead, be prepared to be served fish, braised ribs and racks of lamb—all made of tofu and veggies. No one does vegetarian like Bodhi Sake, where the combination of eating in the courtyard of a Buddhist temple and being served delicious and healthy food makes for enlightened customers indeed. Try any of the mock fish dishes, and don’t miss the Tibetan yogurt (西藏酸奶). After your meal, visit the temple, where you can pray for your nation’s Olympic glory.

Bodhi Sake菩提缘素食斋 10-16 Heiyaochang Jie, Xuanwu District 宣武区黑窑厂街10-16号 6355-7348

Cantonese

Southern Hospitality
Located on China’s southern coast, Guangzhou (Canton) highlights seafood and fresh flavors in its cuisine, as well as dim sum (点心), a variety of small dishes eaten for lunch or tea. Try pot stickers (锅贴), sweet barbecue pork dumplings (叉烧包) or rice porridge (粥), among many other choices. The Farm House in the Wanda Sofitel Hotel delivers delicious lunchtime dim sum every day of the week. Cantonese delicacies also include shark’s fin soup and abalone, but we’d avoid these dishes for their environmental unfriendliness.

The Farm House 农圃饭店粤式餐厅 Tower C Wanda Plaza, 93 Jianguo Lu 建国路93号万达广场C座 8599-6666

Zhejiang

Water World
The warm, humid area of Zhejiang, near the Yangtze River’s mouth, is known as the “land of fish and rice.” Delicate and tender flavors are typical as Zhejiang dishes are light on oil but involve elaborate preparation. At Kong Yi Ji, a classy Houhai hideaway with excellent décor and service, enjoy famous fare such as West Lake Fish in Vinegar Sauce (西湖醋鱼) and Beggar’s Chicken (杭州煨鸡). Don’t overlook the yellow wine (黄酒), made from fermented rice or wheat, but remember, this strong stuff isn’t for chugging.

Kong Yi Ji 孔乙己 Jia 2 Dongming Hutong Xichengmen Nei Da Jie 西城门内达街东明胡同甲2号 6618-4915

Guizhou

Sour and Spice, and Everything Nice
Drawing upon neighboring Sichuan and Chongqing provinces, Guizhou has a fair bit of spice but tempers it with other flavors. At Three Guizhou Men, sip Maotai (茅台), a potent rice wine brewed in Guizhou, and enjoy the Sour and Spicy Fish (酸辣鱼), exemplary of a typical Guizhou flavor pairing. Customers recommend Rice Tofu (米豆腐), a house special, and make sure to slurp some Ants Climbing a Tree (蚂蚁上树), vermicelli with minced pork.

Three Guizhou Men 三个贵州人 1) 6 Guanghua Xilu, Jianguomen, next to Guiyou Store 光华西路6号，贵友北侧 6502-1733 2) 1-2/F Bldg 7, Jianwai SOHO 建外SOHO7号1－2层 5869-0598 3) 8 Gongti Xilu, behind Bellagio 工体西路8号楼，鹿港小镇旁 6551-8517/9

Hutong Haven

Wind your way into the delightfully peaceful Private Kitchen No. 44 and reward yourself with their alluringly thick Rice Wine with Osmanthus Flower (桂花米酒). If your stomach isn’t already grumbling, a spoonful of the Sour and Spicy Fish Soup (酸鱼汤) will certainly pique your appetite, and the Whirlwind Prawns (旋风虾) deliver a punch of flavor.

Private Kitchen No. 44 细管胡同私家厨房 44 Xiguan Huton, Gulou 细管胡通44号，古楼 6400-1280

Taiwanese

Sweet Treats
The Taiwanese are masters of desserts, introducing the world to bubble tea and shaved ice drenched in condensed milk and red bean. Seafood and pork play prominent roles in savory dishes, as do unique combinations of spices. Experience the best of Taiwanese cuisine at Shinyeh. We recommend the Three Cup Chicken (三杯鸡), flavored with rice wine, soy sauce and sesame oil. Poached liver (煎猪肝) may not sound appetizing, but if your motto is “When in Rome,” then this is the place to try organ meat. Don’t forget to save room for dessert.

Shih Yeh欣叶台菜 6 Gongti Xilu, Gongti 工体西路6号 6552-5066

Tibetan

Himalayan Feast
Tibet may be off-limits for now, but you can enjoy yak meat and momos right in the Jing. Ganglamedo doles out authentic Tibetan eats with flair and cheer. A gorgeous dining environment, paired with hospitable service, makes Dinner in a Felt Tent (毡房里的晚餐), a two-person serving of roasted yak meat, that much more delicious. Wash it down with butter tea (酥油茶), a unique Tibetan beverage, or the pear-infused red liquor (雪梨红酒).

Ganglamedo冈拉梅朵藏式餐厅 Rm.103, Bldg 38, Zaoying Beili, Chaoyang Park枣营北里38号海悦名门公寓1层6592-3159

Hakka

Hidden Gem
Not well known even among the Chinese, this cuisine comes from the Hakka people in southwestern China, near Hong Kong. Famous dishes include salt-baked chicken and sliced pork with preserved mustard greens. At Lao Hanzi, avoid the bland stuff and try Rice Baked in Lily Pad (荷叶饭). Paper wrapped sea bass (纸包鲈鱼) never disappoints, and the flavors of He Tang Yue Se (荷唐月色), a dish of lotus root, beans, and other vegetables, form a mouth-pleasing combo.

Lao Hanzi 老汉子 1) 1/F, Jiezuo Building, 57 Xingfucun Zhonglu 幸福村中路57 号杰座大厦1层 6417-7720 2) Qianhai Nanyan 前海南沿 6404-2259

Xinjiang

Kebab Country
Beijing’s snack du jour is yangrou chuan’r (羊肉串), or mutton kebabs. For the weak-stomached, be wary of the street corner chuan’r vendor. Instead, get your lamb fix at Afunti, where the meter-long chuan’r and fried rice (手抓饭) are sure to please. Sample other fare from Xinjiang (Uyghur Autonomous Region), including hand-pulled noodles (拉面), naan(馕包肉), and yogurt (酸奶). The boisterous floorshow, beginning daily at 7:45 pm, is a must see.

Afunti阿凡提 Jia 2, Houguaibang Hutong, 188 Chaonei Dajie, Donsishitiao 朝内大街188号后拐棒胡同甲2号 6527-2288

Contemporary Chinese

All Dressed Up
Craving a fancy dining experience after too many meals of noodles and chuan’r? Get dressed up and head to Ken de Rouge, where you can watch the sun setting over Houhai Lake and savor modern high-end Chinese dining in a romantic setting. Try the red perch (荷包红鱼), an updated favorite of Ming Dynasty emperors, as well as the restaurant’s other specialties, Yunwu Tea Shrimp (云雾茶香虾) and Sticky Rice and Duck Steamed and Served in Bamboo (竹炭板鸭饭).

Ken de Rouge红邸 22 Houhai West Bank 后海西沿22号 6402-6665

Beijing Duck

Classic Feast
A meal of Beijing (or Peking) Duck (烤鸭) is an obligatory rite of passage for all visitors to China’s capital, and thankfully it’s a very pleasurable one. You’ll be given thin pancakes, which you should hold in your palm. Add cucumber, spring onions and a few slices of roast duck dipped in sauce, roll up the pancake and enjoy. While Beijing’s got plenty of duck restaurants, Da Dong, winner of our 2008 Readers’ Choice Awards, offers a special low-fat duck for a healthier version of the classic dish.

Da Dong 大董烤鸭店 1) 1-2/F Nanxincang International Building, A22, Donsishitiao 东四十条甲22号南新仓国际大厦1－2层 5169-0328, 2) Bldg 3, Tuanjiehu Beikou, Chaoyang park 团结湖北口3号楼 6582-2892

China's Best
Reservations are a necessity at the Grand Hyatt’s Made in China, where diners get two hour time slots to enjoy Beijing’s best dish. You’ll also get to watch the expert chefs work their culinary magic at live cooking stations. The restaurant serves excellent imperial cuisine as well, including a sumptuous Beggar’s Chicken (杭州煨鸡). We recommend dipping pieces of roasted duck skin in sugar for a truly delicious Chinese treat.

Made in China 长安一号餐厅 1/F, Grand Hyatt Beijing, 1 Dongchang’anjie 东长安街1号东方君悦大酒店1层 8518-1234 ext. 3608

Beijing

Fast Food, Chinese-style
You haven’t experienced a Chinese city until you’ve tried its local xiaochi (little edibles bought on-the-go). Jiumen Xiaochi houses more than ten of Beijing’s traditional xiaochi vendors, tucked away in a hutong. Try agar jelly in sesame sauce (凉粉) and hawthorne berries on a stick (糖胡芦), as well as sweet snacks like rolling donkey (驴打滚), sugar ear (糖耳朵) and ai wo wo (艾窝窝). Vendors often have photos and pre-made examples. Most dishes range between ¥4-¥15.

Jiumen Xiaochi 九门小吃 1 Xiaoyou Hutong, Houhai 孝友胡同1号, 后海 6402-5858

Imperial

Eat Like an Emperor
Imperial cuisine centers around dishes once prepared for China’s emperors and royal court during the Qing Dynasty, combining flavors from Sichuan, Shandong, Canton and Jiangsu. For the true imperial experience, dine at Shi restaurant at The Emperor hotel, where each dish has a story connecting it to a specific emperor. After a lavish meal of Concubine Fragrance’s Grilled Lamb Chops (香妃小洋排) and “Poison” Soup (毒药), head to Yin, the hotel’s rooftop bar, for cocktails overlooking the former residence of China’s emperors, the Forbidden City.

Shi 食33 Qihelou St., Tian’anmen 骑河楼大街33号6526-5566