Chinese
cuisine is renowned all all over the world for its appearance, aroma,
and flavor. Its unique style of preparation, cooking and presentation
can be traced to the beginnings of Chinese history more than 5,000 years
ago. Chinese restaurants are a dime a dozen nowadays around the world,
but for a taste of the authentic fare, China is definitely the place to
be.
Chinese cuisine by and large falls into six schools:
Mansion
Kitchen Fare: High officials and famous personages who cared so much
for what they ate in bygone days went out of their way to hire famous
chefs with handsome pay. With superb culinary skills, these chefs become
a school of their own behind the walls of the mansions of the rich and
powerful, and eventually their styles of cooking found their own way to
the public. The Confucian Mansion and the Tan Family are representative
of the mansion-style of Chinese cuisine.
Local
Cuisine: Regional differences in resources, climate and folklore have
given rise to a variety of cooking schools in China. The Shandong,
Sichuan, Yangzhou and Canton are the four major schools. Another theory
puts the number at eight, with the addition of Hunan, Fukien, Anhui and
Zhejiang. A third theory includes Beijing and Shanghai so that the
nation has ten major schools of Chinese cooking. Shandong, Sichuan,
Yangzhou and Cantonese cooking, however, are generally regarded as the
most influential of all schools of Chinese cuisine-the others are simply
regarded as branches.
Ethnic
Dishes: These dishes were first invented by minority peoples and later
spread to other parts of the country. These include the mutton hot pot
of Inner Mongolia and the roast whole lamb and shish kebab of Xinjiang.
Monastic
Dishes: Otherwise known as vegetarian’s dishes, monastic dishes had
their origin in Buddhist temples around the country. This school of
cooking are understandably dominated by vegetables, and it is
flourishing because the rising standard of living has prompted many
people to become more health-conscious and stick to vegetarian’s dishes.
Some of these dishes are prepared to resemble the flavor and shape of
meat dishes. Apart from their special flavors, the monastic dishes are
stomach-friendly and help protect people’s health.
Beijing Restaurant Choices:
The best restaurants in Beijing hand picked for you
Beijing
Imperial
Eat
like an emperor. A wide range of dishes with light flavors and
exquisite presentation paying careful attention to color, smell and
taste.
-Bai
Family Mansion BFM have not only managed to recreate the splendour of
the Qing dynasty in terms of atmosphere but also with its menu. Chefs
select the best ingredients and dishes from Ningxia wolfberries to
Dongbei mushrooms. Open 10am-10.30pm daily. Meal for two 150RMB.
白家食府，海淀区苏州街29号 Tel: 62654186
-Dazhaimen
Decent Beijing dishes accompanied by a fun mask changing performance, a
bit of opera and an acrobatic show that will impress out of town
guests. Open 11am-10.30pm daily. Meal for two 150RMB.
大宅门，海淀区首体南路甲20号国兴家园旁（近车公庄路）Tel: 88356687
-Fangshan Restaurant Great service and Cixi’s favorites, for just less than the price of a mable boat. Daily 11am-1.30pm, 5-8pm.
仿膳饭庄 西城区文津街1号北海公园东门内 (Tel: 64011889)
-Gege Fu An enclave of the Qing dynasty lives on. Try the great duck hotpot. Daily 11am-1.30pm, 5-10pm
格格府 朝阳区美术馆后大街大取灯胡同9号内 (Tel: 64078006)
-Tiandi Yijia Aristocratic food, environment and prices, a stone’s throw away from the Forbidden City. Daily 11am-2pm, 5-10pm.
天地一家 东城区南池子大街140号 （Tel: 85115556）
-The
Red Capital Club This beautifully restored courtyard restaurant is
dedicated to the hedonistic things in life-fine food, good wine and
cigars-and the spirit of Chinese capitalism. Open 6-11pm daily. Meal for
two with drinks 400RMB.
新红资俱乐部，东城区东四九条66号 Tel: 64027150
-Shun
Yi Fu The dumplings made here are not as salty as in other places and
all the tastier for it. The clean environment and friendly service are a
bonus. Meal for two 50RMB.
顺义府，东城区王府井甘雨胡同36-3号 Tel: 65281960
Guangdong
-Huang
Ting Huang Ting’s elegant traditional courtyard design matches the
refined and delicate Cantonese cuisine. Meal for two 400RMB.
凰庭，东城区金鱼胡同8号王府饭店. Tel: 65128899 ext. 6707
-Lei
Garden, a reputable Cantonese restaurant, not only offers a lavish menu
of shark’s fin, abalone and bird’s nest, but also ordinary fare at
reasonable prices. Meal for two 200RMB.
利苑，东城区金宝街89号金宝大厦三层 Tel: 85221212
-Longji
Cha Canting A Cantonese bistro serving inexpensive but decent Cantonese
food and a great set lunch for under 40RMB. Open 7am-midnight. Meal for
two around 70RMB.
龙记茶餐厅，朝阳区建国门外1号金之桥大厦西翼京伦饭店东侧 Tel: 65958546
-Gu
Zhenhuang The beauty of coming here is that you don’t have to worry
about ordering. The set gourmet menus, designed by a Hong Kong master
chef, are tailored to include appetizers, hot dishes and dessert for
your convenience. Open 6pm-9.30pm, Mon-Thur; 11am-2pm, 6pm-9.30pm
Fri-Sun. Meal costs 250RMB to 1,400RMB per person.
古镇煌美食房，西城区前海西街3号. Tel: 66139641
Guangxi & Guizhou
Characterized
by dishes that are light on onion and ginger, and flavors that are tart
and slightly spicy. Includes Miao minority style cooking featuring
pineapple rice.
-No.
28 Courtyard Small and casual courtyard with a date tree and a little
pond where fish are kept alive until the kitchen calls. No. 28 serves
Zhuang specialities from the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Open
11am-11pm. Meal for two 80RMB.
28号院子，东城区戏楼胡同1号 （雍和宫南侧）Tel: 84016788
-Jun
Qin Hua A small and simple restaurant specializing in the Miao cuisine
of Kaili. Their zaola dishes are quite addictive. The best deal in town
for decent food at low prices. Open 10am-11pm. Meal for two around
150RMB.
君琴花餐厅，东城区美术馆后街88号. Tel: 64047600
-Long Yuan Tang A quaint little place where you can enjoy a quick dip into Guangxi food culture. Daily 10am-11pm.
元堂 东城区东四北大街香饵胡同6号 （Tel: 84049502）
-Miao
Minority Restaurant This restaurant caters to the dinner-and-show type
crowd with its nightly Miao minority show. Dishes include oven roasted
bullfrog and Guizhou-style dog meat hot pot.
盛祥 1）西城区复兴门大街54号（民族宫对面） （66079738）； 2）海淀区清华大学西门北侧300米路西 （62569150）
-Three
Guizhou Men The delicious food served here is a fusion of the different
regions of Guizhou but dishes are one notch less spicy than what
Guizhou natives may be used to. Meal for two 150RMB.
三个贵州人，朝阳区工体西路8号；（Tel: 65518517）朝阳区光华西里3号 (Tel: 62186060)；北四环理想国际大厦2层 (62186060).
Hakka
Originally
hailing from central China, Hakka communities are now spread throughout
Fujian, Guangdong, Jiangxi and Taiwan. Hakka food features dishes that
emphasize the natural taste of fresh ingredients.
-Han
Cang The Hakkas or “Guest People”, settled in Guangdong and Fujian
provinces, bringing with them their earthy and hearty food such as
shrimps cooked in rock salt and braised eel-good, honest grub. Open
11.30am-3pm, 5-10.30pm daily. Meal for two 180RMB.
汉仓，西城区后海什刹海东岸.
Home Style
Chinese comfort food; dishes that are ubiquitous throughout China.
-BaizhouXiang
Rice porridge, in all its many forms, supplement the congee collection
with a variety of homestyle xiaochi. Open daily 24 hours.
百粥乡 1）朝阳区枣营北里6号（佰宁花园一层）（Tel: 65079656） 2）东城区中街9号东环广场A座一层 (64185681)
-Hua
Jia Yi Yuan Serves tasty homestyle fare in a swanky courtyard setting
with comfortable private rooms. Their spareribs, kaomantou (roasted
buns), mala xie (spicy crayfish) and draft beer are popular. Daily
24hrs.
花家怡园 1）东城区东直门内大街235号；（Tel: 64051908） 2) 东城区东直门内大街5号； （84078281/88）
-Xiao
Wang Fu Serves homestyle fara and duck in a bustling, efficient
environment. The Ritan Park location is swankier and also pricier.
北京小王府 1）朝阳区光华路东里2号楼；（Tel: 65913255） 2) 西城区前海北沿15号； （Tel: 66175558）3) 朝阳区日坛路日坛公园北门内
-Yijia
Xiaoguan The décor is your standard hole-in-the-wall type, with bare
walls and a handful of sturdy tables, clean and simple. Yet Zhang and
his friendly, no-frills, little neighborhood joint will remind you of
why you came to Beijing in the first place. Daily 10am-late
屹家小 东城区交道口北二条26号 （Tel: 84028544）
Hunan & Hubei
Hubei: Famous for its freshwater fish, tender meat and thick soups that go well with rice.
Hunan: Thick and pungent in flavor. Dishes use copious amounts of chili, pepper and shallots.
-Tanzhou Jiulou Excellent smoked duck. Brilliant dishes in a rough environment. Daily 11am-11pm.
潭州酒楼 朝阳区花家地北里1号楼 （邮局北边） (Tel: 64734418)
-Tianzhao Jiayuan Huisuo Daily 10am-10pm
天兆佳苑会所，海淀区西直门北大街41号
-Xiang
Hai Lou The former Yue Ming Lou now serves Hunan food in a traditional
environment. Head up to the third floor terrace for panoramic views of
the lake and surrounding hutongs. Daily 10am-11pm.
湘海楼 西城区什刹海鸦儿胡同21号 （Tel: 64028408）
-Xiang
Ming Yuan Nice, clean and brightly lit restaurant serves Xiangcai
favorites like hongshaorou (braised pork in claypot) and duojiaoyutou
(fish heads with sweet peppers) to a predominantly white collar dinner
crowd.
湘明园 朝阳区工体南路1号 （Tel: 65525493）
Hot Pot
Raw foods brought to your table and cooked in a bubbling broth. Tastes vary with regional styles.
Ding
Ding Xiang The best hot pot in town with quality meat and fresh
vegetables all in a trendy setting. Individula pots allow you to cook
everything from lamb, beef and fish balls to live prawns and crab claws.
The jinpaijiang, gold medal dipping sauce, is well named. Open
11am-10.30pm daily. Meal for two 250RMB.
鼎鼎香，东城区东直门外东中街元嘉国际公寓二层（东环广场酒店式国际公寓对面）Tel: 64179289
Hot
Loft The Hot Loft has dragged the bubbling hot pot into the 21st
century by increasing the range of soup bases with everything from sour
and spicy Thai to a duck-based broth, and a variety of novel dipping
sauces. Open 10am-5am daily. Meal for two 150RMB.
鼎酷， 朝阳区工体西路8号楼五层 (Tel: 65527992)；朝阳区工体北路4号 (Tel: 65017501)
Long
Island Hot Pot Massage and spa giant, Long Island, has ventured into
the restaurant business and their latest Hong Kong-style hot pot joint
offers an entirely organic menu. Daily 11.30am-2pm, 5.30-10.30pm.
长岛香港海鲜火锅 朝阳建国门外大街16号东方瑞景一层 （赛特饭店东侧） Tel: 65691616/1919
Miao
Ling Located on the renao Guijie, this perpetually crowded
Guizhou-style hot pot restaurant offers suan tang yu, a sour,
tomato-based soup with a whole fish. Some complain that the soup is not
spicy enough, yet they keep coming back for more. Daily 24hrs.
苗岭酸汤鱼 东城区东直门内大街232号 （Tel: 64049765）
Xiangjiang
Mingcheng Spacious and cheerful, enjoy authentic Canto hotpot in a
clean, casually sophisticated environment. Daily 11am-4am.
香江名城 东城区中街东环广场B座2层 (Tel: 64183666/3777)
Ye Shan Jun Wild Fungus House Mushroom hot pot inspired from Yunan and Fujian. Daily 9.30am-12.30am.
野山菌菇宴 崇文门前东大街甲2号 （Tel: 65122708）
