Najia Xiaoguan 那家小馆
Consistently well-executed Manchu cuisine without the swanky atmosphere. The menu here is quite novel. The names of the dishes are carved on small sticks of wood that are placed in two wooden trays to choose from. A signature dish is huang tanzi, a thick, meaty soup slow-cooked for at least 18 hours. The more typical Manchu dishes include the appetizer known as baqi qiezi (eight banner eggplant) and qiezi men huangdou, braised soybean and eggplant. The Xiangshan branch is set in a two-story beautiful old courtyard, and is perfect for impressing visitors hoping for a uniquely Beijing dining experience - from the elegantly dressed wait staff down to the cages housing birds chirping phrases like “ni hao” and “Najia Xiaoguan”. The signature dishes include the deliciously tender ox rib and fatty, melt-in-the-mouth ox hoof; these are best sampled in small doses, shared out between four or five diners. Other must-tries are the stewed venison in hot pot, fried chicken with walnut and yam with sweet osmanthus sauce. English menu is available. Reservations for both stores should be made 3 to 4 days in advance; go early or be prepared to wait.
Locations
Shijingshan
- Shijingshan 石景山
- 1 Yikesong (south of Botanical Gardens crossroad), Fragrant Hills, Haidian District
- 海淀区香山一棵松29号(植物园十字路口南)
- Daily 11.30am-10pm
- 8259 8588
- Parking available
- Chinese bank cards accepted
- ¥¥¥¥ 80-120 per person
Yonganli / Silk Mark ...
- Yonganli / Silk Market 永安里秀水街
- 10 Yonganli (south of the LG Twin Towers, west of 119 Middle School), Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District
- 朝阳区建国门外大街永安里10号(双子座大厦南侧, 119中学西侧)
- Daily 11.30am-10pm
- 6567 3663, 6568 6553
- Parking available
- Chinese bank cards accepted
- ¥¥¥¥ 80-120 per person
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Map of Najia Xiaoguan
User reviews of Najia Xiaoguan 那家小馆
probably the best in Beijing
- Joined: Jun 9th, 2005
- Posts: 1,324
Review of Najia Xiaoguan
For my money, when i want a proper Chinese meal that doesn't involve your average jia chang cai, I head over to NA Jia Xiao Guan. For years now, they've been around and they've been full with a waiting list that last 30mn to 1 hour sometimes... in a city where most consumers tend to follow the latest fads, that is no small feat.
The staff is friendly, the cuisine absolutely finger licking good and the experience always enjoayble. The shrimps are that good, definitely not overrated. The venison stew is out of this world. The roasted leg of venison a tasty treat and that salted duck appetizer is to die for.
I'd much rather spend my hard earned cash here and eat an amazing meal than pay similar amounts of money for below par pretentious "western" meals we see often enough around Beijing.
A+ all the way!
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Gives Imperial a Good Name
- Joined: Dec 16th, 2009
- Posts: 21
Review of Najia Xiaoguan
I used to think the name meant "that little place." I was a fool.
Na is actually a Manchu surname.
This Manchurian restaurant delivers consistently delicious and unique food in an atmospheric, classy and hygenic environment at accessible prices - it is a great place to take guests and open people's eyes about the richness of Beijing's food culture.
Since it is a great, dependable place, both branches seem perpetually packed. Be prepared to wait for a table unless you have a reservation or game the system by arriving 15 minutes before the crowd.
Although the Botanical Gardens branch is an unpromising dusty 5min walk south of the park, the decor, service and food are everything you would expect of the Yong'anli branch.
Lots of deer meat on the menu, not sure how sustainable that is, but the service staff assures us that they are farmed ... which I guess eases the mind (a mind eased by animal farming).
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Impressed
- Joined: Jul 29th, 2009
- Posts: 1
Review of Najia Xiaoguan
A restaurateur for 15 years and well travelled, been back 4 times and this restaurant did not miss a beat. The deco is old beijing with great ambience. My advise is, give it a try and let your palate be the judge, you will not be disappointed. The waiting staff, friendly enough and the restaurant is well priced not expensive for what you are about to taste. A word of warning...long wait, however, an experience for your palate is well worth the wait. If you have no patience, either go early or late!!! If you are looking for sweet and sour pork, chop suey or peking duck, don't go!!!!!
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Lives up to its Reputation
- Joined: Jul 7th, 2006
- Posts: 278
Review of Najia Xiaoguan
I've been meaning to go to Najia Xiaoguan for at least 6 months, and two weeks ago i finally made it. I first heard of the Manchurian restaurant behind the Twin Towers Plaza when searching for the most well-ranked restaurants on the local restaurant review site dianping.com. Since then i'd also heard various friends and colleagues praise the place.
The restaurant is very popular and it's difficult to book a table, so expect a wait of at least 15-20 min if you do plan to visit. Fortunately, the venue has prepared plenty of seats and snacks to allow customers to wait for their table in comfort. The decor is stylish lao Beijing, with plenty of trees and birds in cages in the courtyard on the first floor which is ringed from above by a second story dominated by large wooden beams.
After sitting down in one of those sturdy old Chinese-style wooden seats, you're presented with a wide choice of tasty options in the large and illustrated menu - which from memory is bilingual. It's been too long so i can't really remember exactly what we had - but I remember enjoying.
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