Beijing Food
Beijing is famous for its food and a visit here is a wonderful culinary experience. While the Cantonese saying "Anything which walks, swims, crawls, or flies with its back to heaven is edible", still holds true in Beijing, even the most fussy of eaters will find there is plenty to enjoy.
The local dishes are some of the country's tastiest. The gongbaojiding, which comprises chicken, chillies and peanuts, is a fine introduction to the cuisine and one that will be found on the majority of menus. Peking duck is another dish that is at its best when served in a Beijing restaurant and jiaozi or dumplings are great here too. Beef wrapped in lotus leaves and steamed sweet and sour fish are just some of the other treats the city is famous for. For those on the go, the yangrouchuan or lamb kebabs, which can be picked up from small outlets and street vendors, are delicious and the perfect boost for those flagging between sites.
You will see many locals washing their meals down with a small glass of baijiu, or rice wine. This strong liquor is not to everyone's liking but is worth trying at least once. You will be on firmer ground with the local beer, Yanjing Pijiu, while those after a warm brew should opt for a pot of Chrysanthemum tea.
Visitors looking for a good Peking duck have a number of options. The Beijing Dadong Roast Duck Restaurant in Chaoyang specialises in a crispy, lean bird, without the usual high content of fat, at a decent price. Lichun, in a courtyard just to the south of Tiananmen Square, is also highly rated.
The Food Court in Chongwen is a great place for lunch, especially if you are in a party with differing tastes. Here Cantonese, teppanyaki, Sichuan, Yunnan, clay pot and Korean outlets are available, all at very decent prices. Sichuan Delights offers a fine array of noodles.
Vegetarians can often feel a little out of place in Beijing, but there are some good restaurants available to them. Gongdelin Sucaiguan is the pick of the bunch and specialises in dishes that taste like meat. Non-vegetarians will be more than happy here too, although the service and decor are adequate at best. The Green Tianshi Vegetarian Restaurant is another good establishment and has a no-alcohol policy. There is a picture menu available for non-linguists at this long-serving restaurant.
Xiao Wang's Home Restaurant in Chaoyang is an expensive, quirky place that serves hot and peppery dishes, with the beef especially recommended. The no-smoking section has the added bonus of being an old dining car
Finally, the nearby Xinjiang Red Rose Restaurant is something of a Beijing institution. This small restaurant offers a variety of good value meals, with the lamb dishes especially recommended. If you are puzzled by the number of people who keep arriving but walking on straight through the restaurant, it will be due to the belly-dancing club next door.
|
Eating & Drinking
