The Beijinger vs Dianping: 2012 Edition
Now that you've had some time to check out the winners of the Beijinger's 9th Annual Reader Restaurant Awards (Part One, Part Two), it's time to see how our readers' picks stack up against Dianping.com's reviewers. Let's get ready to rumble!
We're taking a related break from our Trolling Dianping series to compare this year's awards with the best-ranked listings on Dianping. Ever stopped to watch one of those awkward Beijing mall competitions where audience participants are called up to sing karaoke and "PK" (player kill) each other? This is kind of like that, only slightly less awkward and slightly less dramatic.
DUCK
Beijinger Restaurant Awards: Da Dong (best), Duck de Chine, Quanjude (outstanding)
Dianping: Da Dong (Jinbao Jie), Made in China, Da Dong (Dongsishitiao)
Analysis: Readers and Dianpingers alike are in agreement here that Da Dong's duck reigns supreme. Tie!
JAPANESE
Beijinger Restaurant Awards: Hatsune (best), Matsuko, Tairyo Teppanyaki (outstanding)
Dianping: Hatsune (Sanlitun), Haiku by Hatsune (Block 8), Sakura
Analysis: Hatsune has been winning Best Japanese since we started the Reader Restaurant Awards. Alan Wong's ascendance on Dianping is relatively new, as his restaurants weren't at the top of the list in 2010. Yay, another tie.
KOREAN
Beijinger Restaurant Awards: Saveurs de Coree (best), Ai Jiang Shan, Han Na Shan (outstanding)
Dianping: Ai Jiang Shan (Jiangtai Xilu), Ai Jiang Shan (West Fourth Ring), Zhi Xia Men
Analysis: Apparently, you readers like your Korean food from Nanluoguxiang. At least both sides can agree on Ai Jiang Shan.
SERVICE (Chinese)
Beijinger Restaurant Awards: Haidilao Hot Pot (best), Da Dong, Din Tai Fung (outstanding)
SERVICE (Non-Chinese)
Beijinger Restaurant Awards: Maison Boulud (best), Annie's, SALT (outstanding)
Dianping: Haidilao Hot Pot, Xiangcao Xiangcao Yunnan Hot Pot, Diaoyutai State Guesthouse
Analysis: Haidilao staff are literally tripping over themselves (I've seen it happen) to serve their customers, so it's no big surprise that they top both lists.
DECOR (Chinese)
Beijinger Restaurant Awards: LAN Club (best), Duck De Chine (Jinbao Jie), Pure Lotus (Changhong Qiao) (outstanding)
DECOR (Non-Chinese)
Beijinger Restaurant Awards: Hatsune (Sanlitun) (best), Capital M, Temple Restaurant Beijing (outstanding)
Dianping best ambience: Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, Noble Club, WISH
Analysis: Diaoyutai's RMB 1,436 per head price point is the likely obstacle keeping you readers from enjoying some lovely decor.
RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR (Chinese)
Beijinger Restaurant Awards: Da Dong (best), Din Tai Fung, Duck de Chine (outstanding)
RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR (Non-Chinese)
Beijinger Restaurant Awards: Home Plate Bar-B-Que (best), Hatsune, Maison Boulud (outstanding)
Dianping best restaurants: Haidilao Hot Pot (Shijingshan), Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, Jin Yue (Fucheng Lu), Xiangcao Xiangcao Yunnan Hot Pot (Lijiang), ebeecake
Analysis: This isn't a completely fair comparison since Dianping doesn't break out Best Chinese and Best Non-Chinese categories, but it's definitely interesting to note that the ebeecake bakery has climbed to the No. 5 spot on their list.
If you're looking for even more things to compare, head on over to our 2010 "the Beijinger vs Dianping" roundup to see how things have changed since a couple years ago.
