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.
[esim flag="🇨🇳" label="China" data="10GB · 30 days" price="£11" href="/products/china" benefits="Instant QR setup · Reliable 4G/5G · No contract"]Stay connected while you explore Beijing[/esim]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.
[numbered title="Peking Duck" pill="Beijing's signature dish"]Crispy skin, rich bean sauce, and best enjoyed straight from a traditional restaurant in the capital — Beijing's most famous culinary export.[/numbered] [numbered title="Jianbing" pill="Breakfast street snack"]Wheat flour and mung bean crepes filled with egg, sauce, paste, and fried dough — grab one to go from a local street vendor first thing in the morning.[/numbered] [numbered title="Zhajiangmian" pill="Noodle lovers"]A warming bowl of fresh salad vegetables, aromatic garlic, and pork and soybean sauce. Ask for a vegan version — many noodle houses offer one.[/numbered] [numbered title="Hot Pot" pill="Beijing classic"]Lamb or mutton cooked in a spiced broth with sesame sauce, red dates, scallions, tofu, and cabbage. One of China's most beloved communal dishes.[/numbered] [numbered title="Baozi" pill="Steamed buns"]Pan-fried or steamed buns with fillings ranging from pork to crab. Some of the best in the country are found right here in the capital.[/numbered]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, 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, hawthorn 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.
[tip title="Always check reviews before you go"]Even with all of these ideas on your doorstep, you might still be stuck for something to tuck into. TripAdvisor and Google reviews are your best friends for finding local vendors and hidden gems — and you'll need a reliable connection to use them on the go. An eSIM for Asia loaded before you land means you can look up new eats and drinks without fumbling for WiFi passwords.[/tip]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.
[warning]Never drink tap water in Beijing — or anywhere in China. Always choose bottled water, whether you are on the go or sitting down at a restaurant. This applies to brushing teeth too.[/warning]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 are most likely to have fresh ingredients.
- 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 where the cooking oil is clear and not murky.
- Be careful when making decisions when hungry — always make food choices on a full stomach to avoid eating at the most convenient rather than the safest stall.
