Iconic Beijing Dishes You Must Try

When it comes to regional cuisine, Beijing dishes are among the most curious to enjoy while exploring China. Take it from the SIMOVO team - several of us have been to China and back and can seriously recommend visiting the capital for its food and drink culture alone! 

Foods to eat in Beijing may seem familiar to some, but nothing beats the real deal and enjoying sweet and savoury dishes prepared within the city. From the iconic Peking duck to rice rolls, stews, hot pots, and pancake dishes, there’s a lot more to dive into here than you might be expecting.

Before you start comparing restaurants in Beijing, however, it’s always good to load up an eSIM for mainland China so you stay connected to affordable mobile data while you read reviews and retrace your steps through Google Maps. You can, of course, explore the food scenes as you go, but there are plenty of reasons why planning ahead makes sense, too!

Let’s dive into what Beijing cuisine is all about and run through some of the best dishes to try when you’re visiting the capital.

Why Beijing cuisine is unique

Beijing cuisine is truly unique thanks in part to its incredible history, with recipes passed down and enhanced through years of imperial dynasty, through the introduction of visiting dishes, creating amazing tasting fusions. 

The best foods to eat in Beijing combine traditional recipes and sophisticated delivery, along with hearty, filling ingredients. The food to try in Shanghai, for example, is much different compared to what you’d expect in the capital, with the former focused largely on street food scenes (though you’ll still find some street food snacks in Beijing). 

But there’s something here for everyone, and by comparing cuisines between different cities, we certainly don’t mean one has a tastier selection of dishes over the other! You’re more likely to enjoy dough-based dishes in Beijing compared to other Chinese cities, and the flavours may be milder - but your own tastes may vary, and you may find something truly astounding to your palate when visiting the city for the first time.

Best food to try in Beijing

Several of the SIMOVO team have tried incredible dishes in Beijing over the years, and we’ve put together a quick rundown of some of the best-loved and most iconic meals you’ll find from restaurants and vendors alike.

Peking duck

Peking duck is absolutely Beijing’s most famous culinary export, from its bean sauce to its unique, crispy skin. There are a few different ways to serve Peking duck, but the tastiest way is to enjoy it straight from a traditional restaurant in the Chinese capital. You might even want to try it with pancakes or sugar!

Jianbing

Speaking of pancakes, or crepes, at least, you should certainly give Jianbing a try if you’re in Beijing for breakfast in the near future. Made from wheat flour, mung beans, egg, and a mix of sauce and paste, you’ll usually find these delicacies pack in some fried dough - and you can pick up one to go from local street vendors.

Zhajiangmian

If you’re more of a noodle fan, Zhajiangmian will fill your stomach with a variety of fresh salad veggies, aromatic garlic, and pork and soybean sauce. It’s a super-warming soup that you’ll often find in local noodle houses and local spots. There’s even a chance you’ll find vegan twists on the soup, too.

Hot pot

There are tons of different twists on hot pot across China (you’ll find some variations when looking for food to try in HK, for example), but Beijing’s spicy, warming delicacies will usually comprise of lamb or mutton, with sesame sauces, red dates, scallions, and more. You’ll often find tofu and cabbage in the mix, too, and there will be some variations on how this classic warming dish is served from vendor to vendor.

Baozi

Baozi are absolute Chinese classics, and you’ll find some of the tastiest steamed buns in the heart of the capital. They are traditionally steamed or fried via pan - and fillings will vary, too, with some of the most popular being pork and crab. It’s likely you can take an entire food tour of Beijing purely based on its baozi!

Traditional Beijing street food

If you’re keen to dive into Beijing’s street food scene as a priority, here are some tasty dishes to look for while you explore:

• Candied fruit sticks, or Tanghulu (such as plums, hawthorne berries, and tomatoes)
• Jidan Guan Bing (egg-filled pancakes)
• Rou Jia Mo (Chinese hamburgers, stewed meat in pitta buns)
• Scallion Pancakes (traditionally deep-fried)
• Lamb Chuanr (meat skewers)

Where to eat local food in Beijing

The best spots for enjoying foods to eat in Beijing will really vary depending on your tastes, what you have on your itinerary for the day or week ahead, and what your budget looks like! 

Visitors to Beijing frequently recommend spots like Choy’s Restaurant for seafood, the Michelin Star-rated King’s Joy for vegetarian delights, and Siji Minfu for an amazing take on Peking duck.

Other local food favourites that are popular with locals and tourists include Mr. Shi’s Dumplings, the Black Sesame Kitchen, and for its breakfast buffet, the superbly-rated Asia Bistro.

But remember, even with all of these ideas on your doorstep, you might still be stuck for something to tuck into! That’s why it’s always worth referring to guides such as TripAdvisor and consulting Google reviews for local vendors and businesses as you explore the city.

That said, the last thing you’ll need is to be wandering around looking for a bite without a reliable internet connection. Load up with a prepaid eSIM for Asia before you touch down in Beijing, and you’ll always be able to look up new eats and drinks without having to fumble around with WiFi passwords.

Food safety tips in Beijing

As a responsible foodie, you’ll no doubt have some thoughts regarding food safety when exploring new dining scenes in cities like Beijing. Given that food safety standards and accolades will vary across countries, it’s wise to know what you’re getting into before you head to China.

Here are a few tried-and-tested tips from Beijing travellers in our team who know what they’re talking about:

• Always prioritise street food vendors that have long queues and big crowds - they are known entities and they are most likely to have fresh ingredients
• Never drink from the tap/faucet - always choose bottled water whether you are on the go or not
• Try to choose food that’s freshly cooked or that is being cooked in front of you
• Look for clean signage and high-quality tools for serving and dining
• Always choose vendors/cooking sources where oil is clear and not murky
• Be careful when making decisions when hungry - always make food decisions on a full stomach to avoid eating at the most convenient stall

And, as always, it’s a good idea to try and research a restaurant or vendor before you book or buy - and one of the best ways to do that is to scour the web with a reliable eSIM for China, HK, and Macau!

Take it from us - there are tons of tasty treats to dive into across Beijing, but it pays to be safe and to plan ahead!