I'm going to Beijing next week for the first time since 2008!
Where to go? What to eat? I'm meeting up with a good friend from LA and we'll be playing tourist. I've already got Da Dong Roast Duck reservations, but where should I go for dumplings, ja jiang mian and local eats?
6 comments:
Somewhere Fun to eat is Hangeng's resturant that his mom and aunt opened it is well known for its dumplings...you can prob find the address online... but something that is a must get there is there "dong fen"
Gou Bu Li (multiple locations around Beijing) is very well known for their baozi, and if you're hankering for some amazing sushi, Hatsune at Sanlitun is the place to go! Sanlitun in general is a great place for good eats. :)
Chowder breathes reassurance. It steams consolation. Megan
If you're up for two duck meals then try Li Qun - It's not as good as Da Dong but the chef used to work at Quan Ju De - its located in a traditional courtyard house (Si He Yuan) so there's a little atmosphere to go with the meal
Gou Bu Li is overrated and better in Tianjing but still worth trying - The best dumplings in Beijing is, believe it or not, Ding Tai Feng - If you're going to try Gou Bu Li (I assume you'll do so at Qian Men), then you might as well try Du Yi Chu as well - They sell Shao Mai that is slightly different from HK's dim sum version but it comes highly recommended by the Emperor Qian Long - It's another one of those "time honored" brands you can cross off your list
Hatsune is pricey but worth trying - though I feel that its rolls are only slightly better than Sumi's - Everything else is better than average
Hotpot is nothing special but you should definitely try Hai Di Lao - I can't summarize the whole experience in a few sentences but to say that this is how all hotpot restaurants should be - their service is disturbingly warm and polite - also...make sure you get the noodles - you get an accompanying performance/dance
Definitely head to Gui Jie if you've finished a night of drinking/partying - Located in Dong Zhi Men and close to the clubs/bars of San Li Tun, you can get your hands dirty with some Ma La Crayfish or try one of the ubiquitous Ma La Hotpot joints - But make sure you don't miss out on good ole meat shticks!! The best ones are always found in hutongs but on Gui Jie, I always go to a place called Chuan Ba (串吧)
The trendy place now is obviously Nan Luo Gu Xiang - Avoid going during the weekends - its crowded as heck - You can make the walk from there to Hou Hai and stop along the many little watering holes and grab bites to eat along the way as well
For Dim Sum, do try to head to Yong He Gong's branch of Jin Ding Xuan (金鼎軒 - Golden Tripod) - The dim sum is nothing to write home about but its very grand and pretty cheap - you'll stuff yourself silly for around $20USD
There's a lot more to eat and if you specify a certain type of chinese cuisine (Hunan - Sichuan - Yunnan etc etc), I could give you a better of idea of where exactly to go
Enjoy your trip!!
PS - Can you tell me where in Taiwan I can get pizza base? I want to make my own pizzas!! Thanks!!
Beijing is so huge, even with a huge subway system, travel can take its toll on you, and take the fun out of eating out. What I mean, is that travelling at the other end of the city to just eat at a place is not really worth it, and that's coming from someone who loves eating out, but that's my take on it.
You should indicate places you'll visiting, so that people can better advise you with restaurants in the vicinities.
For the record (because it is too late for you), my suggestions for a week end in BJ.
For Beijing Duck, I would rather go to Xiangmanlou: http://www.thebeijinger.com/directory/xiang-man-lou
I suggest to eat at the Orchid: http://theorchidbeijing.com/
The place is great for Yunnan food and it is in Gulou area (you can go after you have a drink at the Drum & Bell). For after diner in Nan Luo Gu Xiang area go to "the Bed". http://www.cityweekend.com.cn/beijing/listings/nightlife/bars/has/bed-bar/
Go to Guijie (Dongzhimen Nei) and it Kaoyu (god I miss that one). You find that NO WHERE ELSE :-) No places to recommend.
For crazy night see the sunrise on the terrace of Kokomo in Sanlitun after party all night then eat "Ma La Tang" for breakfast at 6am in a street stall in one of the back alleys of Sanlitun.
God I loved Beijing :-)
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