From crispy Peking duck to savoury dumplings and tantalising hotpots, here’s a guide to some of Beijing’s best restaurants and delicacies!
Part #1: Beijing Food Guide – Which Best Restaurants to Eat?
Part #2: Beijing Area Guide – Which Area to Stay in Beijing?
Part #3: Beijing Travel Guide – Which Historic Sites to Visit?
Part #4: Beijing Itinerary Guide – 4D3N in Beijing
Part #5: Beijing Hotel Promotions List
Beijing is an astounding city with a rich history dating as far as 3000 years – so it’s safe to say that there’s a whole lot to do in this spectacular city. Aside from the world-famous ancient sites like the Forbidden City and Great Wall of China, Beijing is also known for its plethora of decadent Beijing specialties.
From savoury skewers and crispy Peking duck to traditional pastries and handmade dumplings, here are some of Beijing’s best restaurants that you must try:
1. Quanjude (全聚德)
When it comes to Beijing’s signature dish, even locals can agree that the Peking duck is undoubtedly a must-eat. Among the myriad of Peking duck restaurants in the bustling capital, Quanjude stands out as the most established restaurant in Beijing to try Peking duck.
You can locate Quanjude’s flagship store easily in Qianmen (one of the best areas to stay in Beijing), a busy ancient shopping street.
Since the Qing Dynasty in 1864, Quanjude has been serving glistening whole Peking duck roasted to perfection. With light, crispy skin and just a thin layer of fat, Quanjude has definitely earned its name as the holy grail of Peking ducks in China. Fun fact: Even former US President Richard Nixon enjoyed a meal here!
Must-Eat: Quanjude Whole Roast Duck Set (CNY ¥298 / SGD $57.60)
Business Hours: 11am to 1:30pm & 4:30pm to 8pm daily
Address: 30 Qianmen St, Dongcheng, Beijing, China
2. Baoyuan Dumplings Restaurant (宝源饺子屋)
Dumplings are definitely a staple in many Chinese cuisines. At Baoyuan Dumplings Restaurant in Beijing, you’ll be able to taste not just delicious traditional handmade dumplings, but also more innovative and exciting flavours like rainbow dumplings (dyed with natural colouring from fruits and vegetables) and even kungpao dumplings!
Dumplings here are priced by per liang (50g) and each liang gives you about 5 to 6 dumplings. For an affordable and wholesome dining experience unlike any other, Baoyuan Dumplings Restaurant definitely makes the top of the list.
Must-Eat: Shrimp with Cucumber Dumplings (CNY ¥23 / SGD $4.40 per liang)
Business Hours: 11am to 10pm daily
Address: 6 Maizidian Jie, Chaoyang district, Beijing, China
3. Feng Mao Lamb Kebab (丰茂烤串)
Using only free-range lambs, Feng Mao Lamb Kebab is a well-loved skewer restaurant in Beijing. Expanding into even Los Angeles, Feng Mao Lamb Kebab serves up mouth-watering signature lamb skewers and all sorts of meat, seafood, mushrooms, including vegetables that’s barbecued to perfection right at your table!
Yes, you don’t have to do the work because the skewers are turned and grilled on an automatic barbecue and all you have to do is sit back, relax and wait to dig in.
Must-Eat: Signature Lamb Skewer (CNY ¥4 / SGD $0.70)
Business Hours: 11am to 3am daily
Address: 17 Guangshun N St, Wangjing, Chaoyang, Beijing, China
4. Jubaoyuan Hotpot (聚宝源火锅)
A definite go-to for locals and tourists alike, Jubaoyuan Hotpot is coined one of the best hotpot places in Beijing for its specialty copper pots and hand-carved melt-in-your-mouth lamb.
With just a mere 12-minute cab ride from Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City, this is one restaurant you should definitely try.
Aside from the decadent cuts of meat in the aromatic hotpot, Jubaoyuan is also famed for its traditional shaobing (baked flatbread) and it’s so deliciously popular that each customer is limited to only a set number of orders. The queues at Jubaoyuan Hotpot can get very long, so remember to make a reservation before arriving!
Must-Eat: Freshly-sliced Lamb (CNY ¥43 / SGD $4.30)
Business Hours: 11am to 10pm daily
Address: 5-2 Niujie St, Xicheng, Beijing, China
5. Lao Beijing Zhajiangmian Da Wang (老北京炸酱面大王)
A humble dish of hand-pulled noodles served with shredded cucumber and a thick blanket of soybean sauce, zhajiangmian (soybean paste noodles) is an undeniable Beijing specialty. You certainly don’t want to miss this in your Beijing itinerary!
Savour the wholesome flavours of this simple yet satisfying noodle dish at Lao Beijing Zhajiangmian Da Wang, a favourite zhajiangmian restaurant among locals. You’ll also be spoiled for choice with many Old Beijing snacks at affordable prices!
Must-Eat: Zhajiangmian with Egg (CNY ¥18 / SGD $3.50)
Business Hours: 10am to 10pm daily
Address: 56 Dong Xinglongjie, Dongcheng district, Beijing, China
Ready to taste your way through Beijing? Don’t forget to book your stays with your YouTrip card to enjoy up to 45% + 6% off hotels in Beijing. And also, remember to bring your YouTrip card along to utilise YouTrip’s Wholesale Exchange Rates for favourable Chinese Yuan (CNY) currency exchange rates!
Read: Taipei Food Guide: 5 Must Eat Restaurants in Taipei
Read: Seoul Food Guide: 8 Best Must-Eat Restaurants in Seoul
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Read: 12 Types of Durians and How to Pick the Best Durian
Read: What Can (and Can’t) I Take from Hotel Rooms?
Enjoy a worldwide fees-less travel experience!
