Getting Your Tastebuds Out of Beijing: China’s Western and Southern Regional Cuisines

Depending on how long you’ve been in Beijing, you may have explored the regional Chinese cuisines extensively. More often than not however, Cantonese, Sichuan, Yunnan, and Xinjiang restaurants are overlooked. These are our favorite dishes and where we’d get them if we were you. To ensure you’re able to vote in the Beijinger 2016 Reader Restaurant Awards, get out there and try them all.

Cantonese

Cha Siu Bao
These steamed parcels filled with sweet barbecued pork never fail to satisfy any dim sum craving, especially when you get them alongside the entire dim sum menu at Jing Yaa Tang (RMB 128+15 percent per person, all you can eat). 

Mandarin Fish
This dish consists of white fish steamed to perfection with fresh root ginger, spring onions, soy sauce, and coriander garnish. Try a sweet and sour rendition of it (RMB 168) at Jin Ding Xuan, a 24-hour Cantonese restaurant with branches throughout the city.

Sichuan

Koushuiji
This mouth-watering starter of boiled chicken in a spicy sauce is the perfect introduction to Sichuan cuisine. Can you handle the spice? Get it at Transit (RMB 98), one of the best Sichuan restaurants in town.

Xiaochaorou
Xiaochaorou, a dish that literally means “small fried meat” is pretty intense: try the tender cubes of pork (or chicken if you request it) and an insane amount of three different types of chilies at local favorite Zhang Mama (RMB 20).

Yunnan

Goat Cheese
Yunnan goat cheese, known as rubing, is a must-order at Yunnan restaurants. The cheese is baked in spices to add that extra touch, but will still satisfy your cheese cravings. Try the version at Dali Renjia (RMB 28).

Crossing the Bridge Noodles
Guoqiao mixian, or “crossing the bridge rice noodles,” one of Yunnan’s specialties, comes as a piping-hot soup with ingredients including raw vegetables and lightly-cooked meats, to be added to the steaming broth separately. Ingredients cook quickly with a layer of schmaltz and oil on top. One of Beijing’s best places to try this dish is In & Out. Their version is flavorful and fresh (RMB 68).

Xinjiang

Nangbaorou
This dish is pretty hard to screw up: it is basically crunchy, fried pieces of bread with chunks of tender lamb, peppers, onions, and plenty of  Xinjiang spices such as cumin, chili, and pepper. The rendition at Jianghu Weidao (RMB 28) will ensure that you never want to eat anything 
else again.

Dapanji
Dapanji is an easy dish to share with friends. The  chicken with potatoes and root vegetables is hearty and will leave you pining for more. The Crescent Moon version of this dish is well balanced and full of flavor (RMB 55/large portion, RMB 48/small portion).

DIRECTORY

Crescent Moon Muslim Restaurant
Daily 11am-11.30pm. 16 Dongsi Liutiao, Dongcheng District (6400 5281)
弯弯的月亮：东城区东四六条16号

Dali Renjia
Daily 10.30am-11pm. 80 Baochao Hutong, Dongcheng District (8402 2479)
大理人家：东城区宝钞胡同80号

In & Out 
Daily 11am-10pm. 1 Sanlitun Beixiaojie, Chaoyang District (8454 0086)
一坐一忘：朝阳区三里屯北小街1号

Jianghu Weidao
Daily 11.30am-10.30pm. 26 Dongsi Beidajie, Dongcheng District (5710 8890)
疆湖味道：东城区东四北大街26号

Jing Yaa Tang
Dim Sum Hours Mon-Fri 12-2.30pm, Sat-Sun 11am-2.30pm. B1, The Opposite House, Sanlitun Village, 11 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District (6410 5230)
朝阳区三里屯路11号太古里北区地下1层

Jindingxuan (Tuanjiehu)
Open 24 hours. 15 Tuanjiehu Nanlu, Chaoyang District (400 6766 111)
金鼎轩：朝阳区团结湖南路15号

Transit
Daily 6-10pm. N4-35, Sanlitun Village North, 11 
Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District (6417 9090)
渡金湖：朝阳区三里屯路11太古里北区N4-36号

Zhang Mama (Jintai Lu)
Daily 10.30am-10pm. 21B Jintai Lu, Chaoyang District (5624 1717)
张妈妈川菜：朝阳区金台路口南乙21号

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Email: margauxschreurs@truerun.com
Instagram: s.xuagram

Photos: Transit, In & Out, Jing Yaa Tang, Margaux Schreurs