China On A Plate In Beijing
30/01/2024
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China On A Plate In Beijing
Even a seasoned globestrutter would struggle to travel through China’s to sample its entire array of regional specialities. But, then, why bother when you can tour China on a plate in Beijing? Start with these pan-Sino sizzlers...
Nestled in the exclusive Ch’ien Men 23 complex, formerly home to the US Embassy, Lost Heaven is in prime position for a post-Forbidden City feast. Actively promoting the ethnic minorities of the Yunnan province via its ingredients and recipes, Lost Heaven brings together flavours from as far afield as the Mekong regions of Thailand, Laos and Burma, to create richly spiced delights like steamed cod with Dai tribe salted black beans, Da Li-style chicken with chilli and green onions, and sticky sweet pork ribs in a black rose sauce.
When you espy the outline of a minaret, you know you’ve reached Crescent Moon, a genuine Chinese Muslim restaurant, hidden behind a not-so-authentic mosque facade. Remote western Xinjiang and ethnic-minority Uyghur cuisine is the order of the day, with juicy cumin-dusted lamb skewers, barbecued lamb leg, and the famed Shaanxi 'hamburger' making star appearances. Better yet, despite (sobering) first impressions, light and dark beers from Xian are served inside.
The decor at Qin Tang Fu won’t win any awards, but the Shaanxi comfort staples it serves generate large queues of hungry locals and Xian natives alike. Pull up a pew for the delectable likes of yangrou paomo (a hot lamb stew with leavened bread), saozi mian (soupy hand-pulled noodles), and dumplings, or pop your head in at the handy take-out window for the house speciality, rou jia mo (delicious wheat buns griddled and stuffed with pulled pork).
If numbingly hot thrills are what you seek, elbow your way into the swamped Sichuan Banshichu (aka Chuan Ban), arguably the most popular Sichuan joint in all Beijing. Located in the daggy headquarters of the Sichuan Provincial Government, limited english is spoken, but the convivial dining room and delectable dishes made from top-notch ingreds flown in fresh weekly make it well worth the wait. The sizzly oil-poached fish, and twice-cooked fatty pork are not to be missed. I it’s good enough for the bureaucrats...
Lost Heaven / 23 Qianmen Dong Dajie / Dongcheng / +86 10 8516 2698 / lunch & dinner daily
Crescent Moon / 16 Dongzi Liutiao Hutong / Dongcheng / +86 10 6400 5281 / lunch & dinner daily
Qin Tang Fu / 69 Chaoyangmen Nan Xiaojie / Dongcheng / +86 10 6559 8135 / lunch & dinner daily / + brunch
Sichuan Banshichu / 5 Gongyuan Toutiao / Jianguomennei Dajie / Dongcheng / +86 10 6512 2277 / lunch & dinner daily
Even a seasoned globestrutter would struggle to travel through China’s to sample its entire array of regional specialities. But, then, why bother when you can tour China on a plate in Beijing? Start with these pan-Sino sizzlers...
Nestled in the exclusive Ch’ien Men 23 complex, formerly home to the US Embassy, Lost Heaven is in prime position for a post-Forbidden City feast. Actively promoting the ethnic minorities of the Yunnan province via its ingredients and recipes, Lost Heaven brings together flavours from as far afield as the Mekong regions of Thailand, Laos and Burma, to create richly spiced delights like steamed cod with Dai tribe salted black beans, Da Li-style chicken with chilli and green onions, and sticky sweet pork ribs in a black rose sauce.
When you espy the outline of a minaret, you know you’ve reached Crescent Moon, a genuine Chinese Muslim restaurant, hidden behind a not-so-authentic mosque facade. Remote western Xinjiang and ethnic-minority Uyghur cuisine is the order of the day, with juicy cumin-dusted lamb skewers, barbecued lamb leg, and the famed Shaanxi 'hamburger' making star appearances. Better yet, despite (sobering) first impressions, light and dark beers from Xian are served inside.
The decor at Qin Tang Fu won’t win any awards, but the Shaanxi comfort staples it serves generate large queues of hungry locals and Xian natives alike. Pull up a pew for the delectable likes of yangrou paomo (a hot lamb stew with leavened bread), saozi mian (soupy hand-pulled noodles), and dumplings, or pop your head in at the handy take-out window for the house speciality, rou jia mo (delicious wheat buns griddled and stuffed with pulled pork).
If numbingly hot thrills are what you seek, elbow your way into the swamped Sichuan Banshichu (aka Chuan Ban), arguably the most popular Sichuan joint in all Beijing. Located in the daggy headquarters of the Sichuan Provincial Government, limited english is spoken, but the convivial dining room and delectable dishes made from top-notch ingreds flown in fresh weekly make it well worth the wait. The sizzly oil-poached fish, and twice-cooked fatty pork are not to be missed. I it’s good enough for the bureaucrats...
Lost Heaven / 23 Qianmen Dong Dajie / Dongcheng / +86 10 8516 2698 / lunch & dinner daily
Crescent Moon / 16 Dongzi Liutiao Hutong / Dongcheng / +86 10 6400 5281 / lunch & dinner daily
Qin Tang Fu / 69 Chaoyangmen Nan Xiaojie / Dongcheng / +86 10 6559 8135 / lunch & dinner daily / + brunch
Sichuan Banshichu / 5 Gongyuan Toutiao / Jianguomennei Dajie / Dongcheng / +86 10 6512 2277 / lunch & dinner daily