What did I ate in Beijing?
Sharing some of the delicious food I tried in Beijing — and the best part is, most of these are easy to find, so you don’t have to go out of your way to hunt them down!
1. Nanmen Shuarou (南门涮肉)
There are plenty of outlets across Beijing, but their main branch just outside the Temple of Heaven. However, be prepared — the queue can go up to 2 hours!
I found another branch at the China World Trade Center mall, and the wait was only about 10 minutes at 3pm. The soup is quite plain, but the meat (we had sliced beef and lamb) was incredibly fresh. The highlight? The peanut sauce — absolutely addictive!
⭐ Rating: 4.5/5
2. BBQ 刘记炙子烤肉
This was the one place we purposely searched for. We waited around 40 minutes at 5:30pm, and though the restaurant was a bit oily from all the bbq, the food made up for it. The meat was fresh and flavorful — classic BBQ satisfaction.
Afterwards, I needed something to balance out the oiliness, so I brewed some ginseng tea I brought from Singapore back at the hotel. See post on my travel kettle bottle review below.
⭐ Rating: 4/5
Post: Lightweight Iona Travel Kettle Bottle
3. Liu Mama Dumplings (刘妈妈肉汁饺子) — 798 Art District
Hidden inside the 798 Art District, this humble dumpling shop was packed with office workers even at 11:30am. Probably the most enjoyable dumplings I had in Beijing — each one was huge and stuffed with two prawns!
They also serve free-flow pickles and corn soup, and you must try their cucumber with fritters in peanut sauce — surprisingly refreshing and delicious.
⭐ Rating: 5/5
4. Siji Minfu Peking Duck (四季民福烤鸭店)
Dining here feels like stepping into a fine-dining restaurant. The chef brings your duck to the table and slices it right in front of you — such an experience!
The duck itself was fatty, crispy, and perfect with the wrap. Queues can be crazy long (up to 2 hours during peak hours), so I went back another day at 3pm and waited only 10 minutes. Totally worth it.
⭐ Rating: 4.5/5
5. Heyanroubing (河沿肉饼) — Wangfujing Street
This meat pancake blew me away! It’s fragrant, juicy, and affordable. I went after 3pm, and the queue was about 10 minutes. Also, try their Beijing shredded pork loin with beancurd skin — the stir-fried pork is so fragrant and goes perfectly with the meat pancake. Conveniently located along Wangfujing Street, it’s a great stop after shopping.
⭐ Rating: 4.5/5
Beijing food really impressed me — flavorful, and full of character. I still miss those dishes even after coming home. If you’re planning a trip, definitely explore them — there’s so much good food waiting to be discovered!
Beyond the main highlights, Beijing’s culinary landscape offers even more treasures that food lovers shouldn’t miss. One notable experience is trying nanmen hotpot, known for its simple soup base but incredibly fresh sliced beef and lamb. The rich, addictive peanut sauce paired with the hotpot elevates the flavors and makes for a truly memorable meal. Hand-stuffed dumplings, or jiaozi, are a beloved staple in Beijing and provide a taste of traditional home-style cooking. What sets Liu Mama Dumplings apart is their generous fillings—each dumpling often contains two whole prawns along with seasoned meat, making them both hearty and flavorful. The free-flow pickles and refreshing cucumber with peanut sauce create a balanced meal, perfect to cool down the palate. Another must-try is roubing, a type of meat pancake especially famous along Wangfujing Street. The juicy, fragrant pork filling wrapped in a crispy exterior is a street food delight that showcases the perfect harmony of textures. Pairing it with shredded pork loin and beancurd skin makes for an authentic local combo that perfectly embodies Beijing’s food culture. For those who appreciate Peking duck, Siji Minfu offers not only the iconic crispy duck skin and succulent meat but also the theatrical experience of having the chef carve the duck right at your table. Visiting outside peak hours can save you hours of waiting, making your dining experience more enjoyable. When indulging in these richer dishes, balancing your meal with traditional Chinese teas like ginseng tea can help digest the flavors and provide a soothing complement. Spoiling yourself with these authentic Beijing foods guarantees a culinary adventure that’s both satisfying and memorable. If you plan a trip to Beijing, don’t hesitate to explore these culinary spots—whether you crave traditional hotpot, giant hand-stuffed dumplings, or delicious street food like rou bing. Each bite tells a story of Beijing’s vibrant food heritage and leaves you wanting more.
