If stinky dining isn’t your thing, Beijing has another much more refined way to spoil yourself rotten. While Imperial cuisine resembles northern Chinese fare in many ways, the selection of ingredients and preparation are extremely complex and pay great attention to the color, taste, and smell of the dishes. If you’re unfortunate enough to be stuck in the north this winter, reward yourself for your suffering by indulging in one of these sensual meals.

The French may have their stinky cheeses, but no one has mastered the funk like the Chinese. In China, anything smelly can be made into a delicacy and while some of these foods started as accidents, others were thoughtfully crafted. If you consider yourself bold or open-minded with your meals, then you are in luck because stinky is the new delicious. Agenda points your nose and taste buds in the right direction.

Just because the winter is bitter cold, that doesn’t mean life can’t be a little sweet. With this thought in mind, we’ve searched through the city’s traditional cuisine for dishes that remind us of bright, clear skies, and give us a warm feeling in the belly. They’re sure to put some spring in your step!

This casual crab house and bar is the first in Beijing to offer a big variety of American-style crab dishes. Crabs, from Alaskan king to Australian snow crab to English bread crab, are held in a big blue tank by the entrance for diners to pick, and no matter which dish you choose, the execution is just right, whether it is the tender and fresh crab salad, the hearty crab cake, or any of the other seafood dishes.

The sleek stone and wood design of this new Tongli eatery make an excellent backdrop for their hand crafted sandwiches. Served on freshly baked bread with a side of tortilla chips and sweet salsa, sandwiches run the gamut of traditional deli favorites, from pastrami on rye; bacon, eggs, lettuce and tomato; and ham and cheese.