The capital’s culinary history reflects the diversity of its residents though most dishes feature large portions and rich sauces. See also: Beijing Duck.
Beijing Palace Pure Beijing Taste Restaurant
Stylishly decorated, this mid-range restaurant serves up tasty traditional Beijing imperial cuisine. Daily 11am-2pm, 5pm-9.30pm. 130 Chaoyangmennei Dajie, Dongcheng District. (6523 6320) 北京宫正味大酒楼, 东城区朝阳门内大街130号
Fu Jia Lou
This perennially packed restaurant specializes in old Beijing faves: noodles, soups and cold dishes. Daily 11am-2pm, 5-9.30pm. 23 Dongsishitiao (200m west of Poly Plaza), Dongcheng District. (8403 7831) 福家楼, 东城区东四十条23号, 保利大厦西200米
Jiumen Xiaochi
Taste some of the best of Beijing’s traditional snacks at this collection of laozihao snack stalls, most of which were originally located in Qianmen but have been forced to relocate due to most of the area being chai’d. Daily 10.30am-1.30pm, 5.30-9pm. 1 Xiaoyou Hutong, Xicheng District. (6402 5858) 九门小吃, 西城区孝友胡同1号
Beijing Duck
Authentic oven-roasted Beijing duck is sliced into about 120 pieces and served with plum sauce, fresh spring onions and pancakes.
Beijing Dadong Roast Duck Restaurant
The Tuanjiehu location does brisk business on prime real estate near Sanlitun and the embassy district. Aside from the duck, they also have a large selection of homestyle standards. The Nanxincang store is likely to be just as popular. Voted “Best Beijing Duck” in our 2006 Reader Restaurant Awards. Daily 11am-10pm. 1) Bldg 3, Tuanjiehu Beikou, Dongsanhuan Lu, SE corner of Changhong Qiao, Chaoyang District. (6582 2892/4003); 2) 1-2/F, Nanxincang International Plaza, 22A Dongsishitiao, Dongcheng District. (5169 0329) 北京大董烤鸭店, 1) 朝阳区团结湖北口3号楼, 东三环长虹桥东南角; 2) 东城区东四十条甲22号南新仓国际大厦1~2楼(立交桥西南角)
Claire’s Roast Duck (formerly Mimi’s Roast Duck)
Pretty good and pretty cheap: a whole duck costs RMB 68. Don’t miss the steamed beef rolls (RMB 25). Good service but drab decor. Convenient for Lido denizens. 9.30am-Midnight. 5 Hairun Int’l Apts, Shop 5, Chaoyang District. (5135 8353) 咪咪香, 朝阳区海润国际公寓底商5号
Jingcai Roasted Duck
A stone’s throw south of the Catholic church on Wangfujing, but not your typical gaudy tourist’s kaoya dian, Jingcai feels young, trendy and a step-up from other duck joints. The helpful service and sophisticated atmosphere in a lofty warehouse environment is clean and inviting. Non-smoking section available and all credit cards accepted. Daily 11.30am-2pm, 5pm-9.30pm. 223 Wangfujing Dajie, Dongcheng District. (6523 0483)京彩烤鸭, 东城区王府井大街223号
King Roast Duck
Very popular duck joint so don’t forget to make reservations. Try the duck livers and minced duck wrapped in iceberg lettuce. Daily 10am-9.30pm. 1) 1 Minzuyuan Lu, Chaoyang District. (6204 2648); 2) 24 Jianguomenwai Dajie, west side of Scitech Plaza, Chaoyang District. (6515 6908) 鸭王烤鸭店, 1) 朝阳区民族园路1号; 2) 朝阳区建国门外大街24号赛特西边
Li Kang
Don’t come for the kaoya “experience.” Instead come for the good duck and tasty homestyle food. Not one of the cheapest ducks in town, but certainly one of the best. Daily 10.30am-9pm. 1) Bldg 5, Songyu Dongli, Chaoyang District. (8737 2687); 2) Gongti Nanlu, across from the Gongti swimming pool, Chaoyang District. (6552 3818) 利康烤鸭, 1) 朝阳区松榆东里5号楼; 2) 朝阳区工体南路游泳池对面
Liqun Roast Duck Restaurant
Don’t be afraid to ask the neighbors how to get to this tiny courtyard restaurant. They know what you’re looking for: Mr Li’s cheap, delicious roast duck. Reservations recommended, as is ordering a duck an hour before you arrive. Daily 10am-1.30pm, 4.30-10pm. 11 Beixiangfeng, Zhengyi Lu, northeast of Qianmen, Dongcheng District. (6705 5578) 利群烤鸭店, 东城区前门东大街正义路南口北翔凤胡同11号
Quan Ju De
If you’re looking for the most typical Beijing duck experience, this chain can’t be beat. Prices vary according to location, with tourist hotspots invariably pricier. Daily 11am-2pm, 4.30-9pm. 1) 2A Dongsanhuan Beilu, 1/F Jingxin Dasha, Chaoyang District. (6466 0896); 2) Three traffic lights north of Beichen Shopping Mall, Chaoyang District. (6480 1686); 3) 14 Qianmen Xidajie, Chongwen District. (6301 8833); 4) 32 Qianmen Dajie, Chongwen District. (6511 2418); 5) 9 Shuaifuyuan Hutong, Wangfujing Dajie, Dongcheng District. (6525 3310) 全聚德, 1) 朝阳区东三环北路甲2号京信大厦1层; 2) 朝阳区北辰购物中心向北第三个红绿灯; 3) 崇文区前门西大街14号; 4) 崇文区前门大街32号; 5) 东城区王府井大街帅府园胡同9号
Xiang Man Lou
Cheap and cheerful Beijing duck. Nothing fancy but reliable and tasty. Daily 11am-10pm. 19 Xinyuan Xili Zhongjie, Chaoyang District. (6460 6711) 香满楼, 朝阳区新源西里中街19号
Yuehai Roast Duck Restaurant
Serving up delicious duck at reasonable prices, this traditional-style restaurant also serves an array of Beijing classics but watch out for those bright pink uniforms. Daily 10am-11pm. Baijiazhuang Lu (northeast corner) Dongsanhuan, Chaoyang District. (6582 1709) 粤海烤鸭店, 朝阳区白家庄路东北角东三环