Celebrate Winter Solstice (Dec 22) by Devouring Beijing's Best Dumplings
Those who have lived in China for a while or knows a little bit about Chinese food culture, will know that every festival in China seems to have some kind of tasty treat associated with it. The next festival on the calendar (really more of an astronomical phenomenon, if we're quibbling), is winter solstice, known in Chinese a Dongzhi Festival (冬至), which this year falls on Tuesday (Dec 22).
Most people will be familiar with eating dumplings during Spring Festival, but the Chinese festival calendar actually mandates the eating of dumplings twice a year. The winter solstice practice of eating dumplings is thought to have originated in the Han dynasty, when a kindly doctor took pity on some cold street children with chilblains on their ears and prepared dumplings filled with lamb and other spices for them to eat. Since the dumplings were shaped like ears (if you squint a bit), Zhang named the dish quhan jiaoer tang (祛寒娇耳汤), literally translates as "dumpling soup that gets rid of the cold".
Below is a comprehensive list of destinations that will fill all your dumpling dining desires:
Baoyuan Dumplings (宝源饺子屋)
This dumpling institution has a range of rainbow-colored dumplings, filled with vegetables, meat, and even crunchy rice.
North of 6 Maizidian Jie, Chaoyang District (6586 4967)
朝阳区麦子店街6号楼北侧
Din Tai Fung (鼎泰丰)
This Taiwanese chain might be more well-known for its dim sum, but also has a range of dumplings on the menu, with branches in Chaoyangmen Wai, Zhongguancun, CBD, and Wangfujing.
24 Xinyuan Xili Zhongjie, Chaoyang District (6462 4502)
朝阳区新源西里中街24号
Xian Lao Man (馅老满)
Authentic Beijing-style restaurant Xian Lao Man serves up some great dumplings, personal favorites being the cabbage and peanut dumplings, and the house special with shrimp, pork, and crab.
252 Andingmen Neidajie, Dongcheng District (6404 6944)
东城区安定门内大街252号
Oriental Dumpling King (东方饺子王)
This dumpling joint does one thing, and they do it well. Watch the chefs stuff the parcels with one filling after another, including a mala rendition, and many vegetarian and meat options.
14 Chaoyangmennei Nanxiaojie, Chaoyang District (6527 2042)
朝阳区朝阳门内南小街14号
Zhang Mama (张妈妈特色川味馆)
This cheap and favorite Sichuan restaurant dishes out some of the best Zhong Dumplings around (钟水饺 pork dumplings in a mildly sweet and spicy sauce). Be prepared to order more than one plate.
4 Fensiting Hutong, Dongcheng District (5624 1717)
东城区分司厅胡同4号
Country Kitchen
Country Kitchen presents an array of Northern Chinese specialties, including incredible versions of both steamed and fried dumplings.
3/F Rosewood Beijing, Jing Guang Center, Chaoyang District (6535 0066)
朝阳区京广中心北京瑰丽酒店3层
Mr Shi's (老石饺子馆)
This dumpling joint has grown from one to three branches in the last year. The original is at Baochao Hutong, and packs both expats and tourists. If you want to try dumplings with innovative flavors, get some of Mr Shi's specialty cheese dumplings.
74 Baochao Hutong, Gulou Dongdajie, Dongcheng District (8405 0399)
东城区鼓楼东大街宝抄胡同74号
Photo: asweetmuddle.com
