Turkey Haters Unite: Alternative Christmas Dinners

Robynne Tindall, Contributing Editor | Dec 20, 2014 9:00 am | 1 comment | 1841 reads

Perhaps one of the greatest things about spending Christmas (or any significant holiday really) away from home is the chance to create your own traditions. Whether it's incorporating local dishes into the menu or going out to eat something completely off the wall, it's perfectly reasonable to want to eschew convention and the inevitable boring hotel buffet for something with a little more pizzazz. Although I will be spending Christmas back home in the UK, here's my pick of Beijing venues for spending an alternative Christmas.

Conquer meat cravings with a roast leg of lamb
Nothing says "festive season" like a giant hunk of roast meat and nowhere does hunk of roast meat better than the roast lamb leg restaurants scattered around town. Our favorite is on Beixinqiao Santiao (see link for address details), where a perpetual crowd swarms outside, waiting to grab a table and set into their own leg of lamb. This one has the added bonus of being pretty economical too. Pro tip: take a flask of mulled wine to warm you up while you wait.

Keep it local with a Peking duck
There is something undeniably festive about a whole roast Peking duck, with its lacquered skin and intricate preparation and serving rituals. For Christmas, choose a duck restaurant that has a bit of ceremony, like Duck de Chine. From the homemade sauces that are swirled into dishes in front of you, to the sound of the gong when the duck is served, Duck de Chine's refined setting just screams "celebration".

Spice things up with hot pot
Of all the marvelous things Chinese cuisine has given us, surely it hasn't produced a meal more convivial than hot pot. Hot pot reaches its apotheosis in Beijing at Haidilao, as famous for its service as it is for its food. There may be better broth available in town, but where else can you get a manicure while you're waiting? Gather a big group of friends for this when, they stock up on ice cream for the inevitable indigestion.

Appease your inner teenager with Gung Ho!'s Xmas Turkey Pizza
Want turkey but also want pizza? Gung Ho! has got you covered. Just for the holiday season they have brought out an "Xmas Turkey Pizza" topped with roast turkey, spiced pumpkin and sweet cranberry sauce, and served with a side of turkey gravy for dipping (medium RMB 86, large RMB 110). If you prefer your pizza more traditional, they have a holiday combo for six people (RMB 425) that includes two large pizzas, two salads, 12 chicken wings, one serving of cheese balls, eight egg tarts and six soft drinks.

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Photos: Joanne Wan (Flickr)