When visiting Beijing, you should eat a variety of traditional dishes, including Peking roast duck, jiaozi, and zhajiangmian, to experience the rich and diverse culinary culture of the city.
Quick Facts
Food Culture Overview
Beijing's cuisine is defined by its rich history and cultural heritage, with influences from Mongolian, Tibetan, and Islamic traditions. The city's culinary scene is characterized by the use of fresh ingredients, bold flavors, and intricate cooking techniques. One of the key influences on Beijing's cuisine is the Mandarin culinary tradition, which emphasizes the use of fresh vegetables, meats, and grains. Regional variations within Beijing's cuisine include the Hui Muslim tradition, which features dishes such as niangpi (cold skin noodles) and kao baozi (roast lamb buns).
Beijing's cuisine is also known for its seasonal ingredients and festive dishes, such as tangyuan (sweet dumplings) during the Lantern Festival and zhongzi (glutinous rice balls) during the Dragon Boat Festival. The city's culinary scene is constantly evolving, with modern restaurants and chefs incorporating new ingredients and techniques into traditional dishes. From the imperial cuisine of the Forbidden City to the street food stalls of the hutongs, Beijing's food culture is a reflection of its rich history and cultural diversity.
The city's food culture is also shaped by its geographical location, with the nearby Mongolian and Tibetan regions influencing the use of ingredients such as mutton and yak meat. The Grand Canal, which runs through Beijing, has also played a significant role in the city's culinary development, with the transportation of goods and ingredients from other parts of China. Overall, Beijing's cuisine is a unique and delicious reflection of the city's cultural and geographical heritage.
Must-Try Dishes
| Dish | Type | Description | Where to Find |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peking Roast Duck | Main Course | A whole duck roasted to perfection and served with pancakes, scallions, and hoisin sauce | Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant |
| Jiaozi | Dumplings | Boiled or pan-fried dumplings filled with pork and vegetables, typically served with a dipping sauce | Jiaozi Restaurant |
| Zhajiangmian | Noodle Dish | A popular noodle dish made with fermented soybean paste, vegetables, and sometimes meat | Zhajiangmian Restaurant |
| Xiaolongbao | Dumplings | Steamed dumplings filled with pork and a savory broth, typically served with a dipping sauce | Din Tai Fung |
| Roujiamo | Sandwich | A crispy bread roll filled with braised pork belly and vegetables, often served with a side of chili sauce | Roujiamo Restaurant |
| Zha Jiang Noodles | Noodle Dish | A spicy noodle dish made with fermented soybean paste, vegetables, and sometimes meat | Zha Jiang Noodle Restaurant |
| Baozi | Steamed Buns | Steamed buns filled with various ingredients such as pork, vegetables, and sweet fillings | Baozi Restaurant |
| Jing Jiang Rou Si | Main Course | A classic Beijing dish made with braised pork belly, scallions, and sometimes noodles or rice | Jing Jiang Rou Si Restaurant |
| Liangpi | Cold Dish | A cold skin noodle dish made with starch noodles, vegetables, and sometimes meat, typically served with a spicy sauce | Liangpi Restaurant |
| You Tiao | Fried Dough | A crispy fried dough stick often served with a bowl of soy milk or congee | You Tiao Restaurant |
Street Food & Snacks
- Jianbing: a savory crêpe filled with eggs, scallions, and sometimes meat or vegetables, typically costing $1-2 USD
- Liangpi: a cold skin noodle dish made with starch noodles, vegetables, and sometimes meat, typically costing $2-3 USD
- Baozi: steamed buns filled with various ingredients such as pork, vegetables, and sweet fillings, typically costing $1-2 USD
- You Tiao: a crispy fried dough stick often served with a bowl of soy milk or congee, typically costing $1-2 USD
- Shao Kao: a skewer of marinated meat (usually lamb or chicken) grilled over an open flame, typically costing $2-3 USD
- Tang Huo Shao: a sweet and spicy snack made with caramelized sugar, nuts, and sometimes fruit, typically costing $2-3 USD
- Fried Scorpions: a popular street food snack made with deep-fried scorpions, typically costing $5-6 USD
- Xiaolongbao: steamed dumplings filled with pork and a savory broth, typically costing $3-5 USD
Drinks
- Jasmine Tea: a fragrant and floral tea made with jasmine flowers and green tea leaves, typically costing $2-3 USD per cup
- Tsingtao Beer: a popular Chinese beer made with a combination of barley, rice, and hops, typically costing $3-5 USD per bottle
- Soy Milk: a creamy and nutritious beverage made with soybeans and water, typically costing $1-2 USD per cup
- Huangjiu: a traditional Chinese wine made with glutinous rice, typically costing $5-10 USD per bottle
- Koumiss: a fermented milk drink made with horse milk, typically costing $3-5 USD per cup
- Ginseng Tea: a herbal tea made with ginseng roots and sometimes other herbs, typically costing $2-3 USD per cup
Dining Customs
- Table Manners: it is customary to wait for the host to start eating before beginning your meal
- Chopstick Etiquette: it is considered impolite to stand your chopsticks upright in your rice bowl, as this is reminiscent of a funeral ritual
- Tipping: tipping is not expected, but 5-10% is appreciated for good service
- Reservation Culture: reservations are highly recommended for popular restaurants, especially during peak travel seasons
- Dress Code: dress codes vary depending on the restaurant, but it is generally recommended to dress modestly and avoid revealing clothing
- Gift-Giving: it is customary to bring a small gift, such as a bottle of wine or a box of chocolates, when invited to a Chinese home for dinner
Where to Eat
- Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant: a famous restaurant specializing in Peking roast duck, located in the heart of Beijing
- Wangfujing Snack Street: a popular street food market offering a variety of snacks and dishes, located in the Wangfujing shopping district
- Din Tai Fung: a popular restaurant chain specializing in xiaolongbao and other Taiwanese dishes, located in several locations throughout Beijing
- Jiaozi Restaurant: a restaurant specializing in jiaozi and other traditional Chinese dishes, located in the Dongcheng district
- Panjiayuan Antique Market: a large market offering a variety of street food and snacks, located in the Chaoyang district
Food Markets & Food Experiences
- Wangfujing Snack Street: a popular street food market offering a variety of snacks and dishes, located in the Wangfujing shopping district
- Panjiayuan Antique Market: a large market offering a variety of street food and snacks, located in the Chaoyang district
- Beijing Cuisine Museum: a museum showcasing the history and culture of Beijing's cuisine, located in the Dongcheng district
- Hongqiao Market: a large market offering a variety of fresh produce, meats, and other ingredients, located in the Chongwen district
- Gulou Dajie Night Market: a popular night market offering a variety of street food and snacks, located in the Dongcheng district